Cumbria business organisations join forces for mayoral hustings

Representatives from right across Cumbria’s business sectors are being invited to come together as one voice and put their questions to the candidates standing to become the county’s first Mayor. Cumbria Tourism, Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), Make UK, Britain's Energy Coast Business Cluster (BECBC), and the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) are working with other business partners to host the Cumbria Mayoral Business Hustings 2027.

Together, the organising partners represent thousands of businesses across a broad range of industries, ensuring the hustings reflect the priorities and concerns of employers throughout Cumbria.

The two events, each with capacity for more than 200 guests, are being held ahead of the mayoral election and will give businesses the chance to hear from candidates representing the major political parties. Candidates will be asked about their plans for Cumbria, their priorities for business, and how they would work with employers if elected.

Devolution will see more decisions and funding move from Westminster to Cumbria, with the new Cumbria Combined Authority and Mayor expected to have greater local control over areas including transport, skills, housing and local development. For businesses, that meansthe election will have a direct bearing on issues that affect day to day operations, future investment and long term growth across the county. The first event will take place at Rheged, Penrith, on Thursday 15 April 2027, with networking from 9.30am and the hustings running from 10am to 11.30am. A second event will take place at Energus, Workington, on Tuesday 20 April 2027, with networking from 2pm and the hustings running from 2.30pm to 4pm. The events will include opening comments from each candidate, followed by a chaired discussion and questions from the audience. Topics are expected to include the day to day issues affecting businesses across Cumbria, including skills, transport, housing, infrastructure, investment, costs and support for growth. Matt Bratton, Regional Director at the CBI, said: “With devolution secured for Cumbria, the focus must now be on delivery. Industry wants to understand how each mayoral candidate would use the powers and funding available to tackle barriers to investment, improve skills and infrastructure, and unlock sustainable growth across county.

“The mayor will need to work hand in hand with the private sector, bringing businesses into decisions early and turning shared priorities into action. They will also be Cumbria’s voice in significant national conversations, making the case for the region’s industries, communities, and economic potential.”

Gill Haigh, Managing Director of Cumbria Tourism, said: “This is an important election for Cumbria, and businesses will want to know what each candidate would do if elected. These hustings are a chance to hear directly from the candidates, ask questions and raise the issues that matter to employers across the county. We are pleased to be working with other business organisations to help make sure businesses have a voice in the discussion.” Suzanne Caldwell, Managing Director at the Cumbria Chamber of Commerce said: "With significant opportunities ahead for Cumbria, it’s important that businesses have the opportunity to hear directly from the Mayoral candidates and put their questions to them. It's a chance to hear, first-hand, exactly where they stand on the economic priorities and business policies that will shape Cumbria's future."

Katy Smythe, Regional Business & Stakeholder Manager at the Federation of Small Businesses added: 'The small business landscape is changing, and it is important that businesses across Cumbria have the opportunity to hear directly from the mayoral candidates. These hustings provide a valuable forum for business owners to ask questions, share their views and better understand how candidates would support economic growth and enterprise across the county. It is also an opportunity to explore how Cumbria can continue to grow and thrive in the years ahead.'

Darren Grantham, Regional Membership Manager at Make UK commented: “The manufacturing sector is the backbone of Cumbria’s regional economy. The next Mayor must focus on growing our innovative sector, putting the skills agenda at the top of their priority list. On the to-do list must be to develop and deliver a skills strategy that aligns technical education with the evolving needs of the manufacturing sector. Workforce development doesn’t happen in a vacuum. The foundations of a thriving manufacturing sector rely on our infrastructure too, which the Mayor must seek to improve to drive productivity in the region. The upcoming hustings is the moment for the Mayoral candidates to show that they have a plan to deliver this.”

Dianne Richardson, Chief Executive of Britain's Energy Coast Business Cluster added: “The success or failure of devolution will rest firmly on the shoulders of the Elected Mayor and their ability to work alongside our councils to deliver change for Cumbria. It’s important that businesses of all sizes and across all sectors question the candidates and make an informed choice on who to vote for.

“Here at BECBC we’ve been preparing for the Mayoral appointment with white papers on “Cumbria’s Four National Missions” and “Building a National Centre of Excellence for Applied AI” so we’ll be listening with particular interest on these topics.” Attendance is free, with priority given to members of the co organising business networks. To allow as many organisations as possible to attend, places will initially be limited to two delegates per organisation. This may be reduced if the events are oversubscribed. Businesses that are not members of one of the co organising organisations can request tojoin a waiting list by emailing matt.bratton@cbi.org.uk. Attendees are also encouraged to submit questions for the candidates in advance by emailing matt.bratton@cbi.org.uk. Places are expected to be in high demand, so early registration is recommended. Secure your place at the Cumbria Mayoral Business Hustings at Rheged on Thursday 15 April or Energus on Tuesday 20 April.