Leader of Oxford County Council joins our 'Science Cities' forum this January

Image; Cllr Liz Leffman, courtesy of Oxfordshire County Council

Future Cities Forum is delighted that Cllr Liz Leffman, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, will be contributing to Future Cities Forum's 'Science Cities: Oxfordshire and the Growth Corridor' discussion event at Jesus College, Oxford this coming January.

Cllr Leffman has been Leader of Oxfordshire County Council since the County Council elections in May 2021.  Liz has represented Charlbury and the Wychwoods, a rural division in West Oxfordshire since 2017. 

In 2016, she was the Liberal Democrat candidate in the Witney by-election which followed the resignation of David Cameron as the local MP and she was elected to West Oxfordshire District Council in 2012.

Since 1991, Liz has been running a business in Eastern Europe, managing clothing production for UK retailers. More recently, she has been a trustee of her local Citizens’ Advice, a director of a local community owned solar farm, and director of a charity that is building supported living accommodation for people with early onset dementia.

Back in July this year, organisations from across Oxfordshire have welcomed the UK government's recently published Modern Industrial Strategy and Oxfordshire County Council saw this as a huge vote of confidence in the county as well as continued recognition of its potential to lead the national growth agenda.

OCC said:

"Oxfordshire has globally renowned strengths in innovation, life sciences, clean energy, AI and quantum computing, and advanced manufacturing and is continuing to build on these."

While Cllr Liz Leffman, the leader of Oxfordshire County Council, stated:

“The Modern Industrial Strategy is a huge vote of confidence in Oxfordshire. The ground breaking research and development taking place here – from new medical breakthroughs to advancements in sustainable energy and autonomous systems – directly fuels economic growth, creates high-value jobs, and drives productivity far beyond our county boundaries.

“Our innovation spills over, inspiring and empowering other regions of the UK to develop their own capabilities and contribute to the nation's collective prosperity

“We firmly believe Oxfordshire has the potential not only to deliver current expectations of growth but to plot an ambitious path forward to exceed this and deliver faster – particularly working with partners across the Thames Valley and the Ox-Cam Corridor.

“A key enabler of performance in the county is continued development of transport and energy infrastructure, noting our rural character and the importance of connecting our communities in a green and equitable way. We look forward to working with the government on how we can build on East West Rail and secure the further investment needed to make this collective opportunity a reality.

"Oxfordshire is a powerhouse of innovation, and we are ready to play a leading role in the UK's Modern Industrial Strategy. To truly unlock our potential, this strategy must be underpinned by a clear commitment to sustainable investment in our infrastructure, particularly transport and housing, and a relentless focus on developing the skills pipeline necessary for the industries of tomorrow.

“We must ensure that our world-leading research and innovative businesses can thrive, while also creating opportunities and a better quality of life for all our residents."