Announcement of new Futures Forum co-chairs
The Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership (CLEP) is delighted to announce the new co-chairs of its Futures Forum.
The Forum is a diverse and inclusive group representing the interests of young people in Cumbria within the CLEP governance structure, which brings together hundreds of businesses alongside the public, voluntary and community sectors to consider issues that matter to the economy and business.
It is made up of young people aged 18 to 35 from across Cumbria covering a range of educational and professional backgrounds, geographies and key sectors so that it represents the future of the county.
The Forum ensures that the views of young people are taken seriously and represented at a strategic level in relation to economic opportunities and challenges.
Its new co-chairs are:
- Karla Thomas, Marketing Manager at Playdale Playgrounds Ltd., Haverthwaite.
Karla said: “Cumbria is changing, growing and diversifying, but still has vast reserves of untapped potential. The Forum is an exciting platform to express the views of the younger generation. Cumbria should lead Britain to its economic future. The Forum is a fantastic opportunity that will contribute to discussion and debate with young leaders on how to shape our prospects and our prosperity.
- Adrian Naik, Naik Media, Bowness-on-Windermere.
Born in Zimbabwe, Adrian moved to Cumbria to complete high school. Back after college, he started his own video production company, Naik Media. He said: “The Futures Forum is full of enthusiastic, passionate and talented young people, all of whom have a boundless drive to help Cumbria realize its full potential. I’m thrilled to be part of this ambitious team, and so excited to work more closely with each of them.
Karla and Adrian replace outgoing co-chairs Laura Kay and Mitchell McComb, who are stepping down after serving two years.
The Forum also has two new vice-presidents. They are:
- Alice Longmire, Furness College.
Alice is involved in the agriculture and education sectors and said: “I am passionate that there are great opportunities within Cumbria, many of which I believe are being overlooked. I hope that the Forum will encourage young people from all walks of life and from all sectors to put forward their points of view to contribute to the future development of the county.
- Morgan Kasiera, Data Science Graduate Apprentice at GlaxoSmithKline.
Morgan said: “I was born, raised and still reside in Dalston. I joined the Futures Forum to further improve learning and development opportunities for young people, facilitating access to high-level apprenticeships and higher-skilled jobs. I also wanted to bring my specialty to the Forum, namely in the field of data. I hope that further use of the data will provide additional information about Cumbria and help in making decisions in the development of Cumbria. »
Alice and Morgan replace Karla and Daniel Thomas, who step down as vice presidents.
Professor Andrew Wren, CLEP Diversity Champion and Principal and Chief Executive of Furness College, said: “We would like to extend our warmest congratulations to these talented young people.
“The Futures Forum is an invaluable addition to our CLEP structure. Our young people are some of the county’s most valuable assets and it is critical that their voices be heard as we plan the way forward for the county’s economy, especially post-COVID.
“After all, it is really their future that is at stake and I have been hugely impressed with the diligent and enthusiastic manner in which the Forum is seizing the opportunity to play its part.”
