The North East Automotive Alliance (NEAA) has announced Isobel Sheldon OBE, chief strategy officer, Britishvolt, as keynote speaker at its virtual meet-the-buyer event on Wednesday 24 February.
Britishvolt has recently announced it is looking to invest £2.6 billion on the site of a former coal-fired power station in Blyth, Northumberland, creating 8,000 jobs in the region.
Paul Butler, CEO, North East Automotive Alliance, said: “We welcome Britishvolt to the North East and to the automotive sector in the region. Isobel Sheldon, chief strategy officer, will open the event, providing an insight to the company and its plans to develop the UK’s first gigaplant to manufacture electric car batteries at Blyth.
“This is a huge coup for the NEAA and our members, as we look forward to developing an ongoing relationship with Britishvolt. Like Britishvolt, the NEAA is committed to long-term sustainability and last year saw the launch of our EV North to strengthen the North East’s manufacturing and research activity in electrified powertrain components and systems. We commend Britishvolt for its plans to exclusively use renewable energy.
“The virtual meet the buyer will play a key role in supporting the recovery for many companies who want to re-engage with the automotive community, establish new contacts and develop a sales pipeline to recoup any lost revenue experienced during the challenging business conditions many members have faced.”
This will be the sixth automotive meet the buyer, hosted by the NEAA, which is usually held as part of the North East Automotive Expo and the first as a stand-alone online alternative. Nissan, Komatsu, Cummins, Marelli, Nifco, Unipres, Minth Automotive and Magna Exteriors are all confirmed as buyers at the event.
Confirmed sponsors are MAKE it Sunderland, North East LEP and Invest South Tyneside.
The networking event is for companies already operating in the industry, as well as those looking to expand into automotive and will look to match-make buyers and suppliers in the areas of plant support, plant technology and business services. It will also offer innovative and industry-leading companies, the opportunity to pitch at a technology showcase, aimed at supporting plant innovation in the region.
Isobel Sheldon OBE, chief strategy officer, Britishvolt, said: “I am delighted to be a keynote speaker at the virtual meet-the-buyer event. This great platform allows me to engage directly with the business communities in the North East. We, at Britishvolt, are looking forward to working closely with the NEAA and its members, developing fruitful relationships, as our project to build the UK’s first battery gigaplant develops. In the face of a challenging business landscape, it is important now, more than ever, to connect, sharing expertise to accelerate growth in the area.”