EFFORTS to reshape the Forth Valley economy are being kick-started today with businesses, government and FVC joining forces.

An online event on Wednesday, February 23, morning is taking the first steps towards a new Regional Economic Strategy (RES) that could prove transformational for the area.

Considerable economic expertise from the public, private and third sectors is being brought together to drive improvements in productivity through innovation and promote sustainable, inclusive economic growth.

Forth Valley College is hosting the event, called Revitalising the Forth Valley Region, with speakers from across the region including Diageo, Celtic Renewables, Grahams – the Family Dairy, INEOS and Robertson Civil Engineering.

The leaders of Clacks, Falkirk and Stirling councils, as well as prominent figures from academia and the Scottish Government, are also taking part.

Ken Thomson OBE, principal of Forth Valley College, said: “We are absolutely delighted to play our part in ensuring that our local authorities, business partners and neighbours are able to improve the skills of their workforces by utilising the expertise, experience and quality training that Forth Valley College can offer, to enhance the shared economic vision for this region.

“We are also well equipped to help in the transformation of Forth Valley into Scotland’s first Net Zero Region, as our sector leading sustainability and environmentally friendly curriculum and operating credentials will help to inspire and encourage local business and industry to have carbon reduction targets at the forefront of everything they do.”

A Regional Economic Partnership will be established to oversee the development and delivery of the RES combining the expertise of all three councils and other public sector institutions, including both the college and Stirling University.

A number of world-leading private sector companies and representatives from the area's vibrant social economy will also be participating.

The Stirling and Clacks City Deal will act as a building block for the RES.

Lynn Blaikie, president of Forth Valley Chamber of Commerce, added: “This new strategy will ensure that Forth Valley is well placed to secure future funding from both the Scottish and UK Governments and to leverage private sector investment through our innovative approach to driving economic and environmental sustainability.

“It will enable us to have real influence between the two big city regions on the Clyde and the Forth.

“The cumulative impact of each area combining their efforts is more than the sum of its parts.

“Forth Valley now has an opportunity to become rightly recognised as the ‘buckle’ in Scotland’s central belt, unequivocally at the heart of Scotland’s economic recovery and renewal.”