Gathering at March Golf Club for the inaugural Fenland Networking Breakfast

More than 70 business leaders, educators and members of local authorities and community organisations gathered at March Golf Club for the inaugural Fenland Networking Breakfast.

Hosted by Rachel Hales of Get Synergised, the event focused on creating a brighter future for Fenland through collaboration, with the goal of shaping the future workforce and driving sustainable economic growth.

Mark Freeman, CEO of Cambridge County for Voluntary Services (CCVS), highlighted the importance of volunteering in Fenland, urging the community to increase civic engagement and encouraging businesses to inspire employee participation.

Marija Lysak, Fenland Development Officer at Hunts Forum, stressed the need for more volunteer and work experience opportunities for young people to ensure Fenland doesn’t fall behind.

A panel discussion with experts, including Rebecca Stimson, Matt Dobbing, Simon Jackson, David Page, and Nikki DiGiovanni, focused on bridging the skills gap for young people and fostering stronger partnerships between businesses, schools, and community organisations.

The event emphasized the importance of soft skills, volunteering and employee wellbeing to build a workforce adaptable to future industry demands.

The event concluded with a call for ambition, collaboration and long-term commitment to build a resilient, skilled workforce ready to tackle future challenges.

Key Takeaways:

-Attracting and retaining talent by adapting recruitment strategies;

-Strengthening partnerships to provide youth employment opportunities;

-Aligning education with local industry needs;

-Enhancing employee wellbeing through volunteering and CSR;

-Fostering public-private partnerships for sustainable growth.

The event reinforced the importance of collaboration in ensuring Fenland's workforce thrives in a growing economy.