Our business columnist, Ian Mean, has been nominated by Stroud’s MP, Siobhan Baillie, to attend a Local Levelling Up Champions’ reception at 10 Downing Street.

The reception next Tuesday (Nov 14) is being hosted by Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Ian is Gloucestershire director for Business West and vice chair of GFirstLEP. He was awarded the MBE for services to Gloucestershire in the late Queen’s last Birthday Honours list.

He said: ”This is an honour that I share with the readers of my weekly business column.

“I think that Levelling Up is perhaps the most important policy of this government. I have been campaigning for more consistent Levelling Up in the Stroud district over the last two years.

“I have also tried to encourage more apprenticeships and the urgent need to create new nuclear energy opportunities at Berkeley and Oldbury.”