Key infrastructure, utilities and food production organisations from across the Welsh/ English border have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to form a new regional business resilience coalition.
The agreement was signed as a direct outcome of a resilience and green growth workshop led by Shropshire Council and Powys County Council, which brought businesses, infrastructure providers and local authorities together to explore how joint action through the Marches Forward Partnership (MFP) could strengthen resilience to environmental and economic pressures.
The MoU confirms a shared commitment to working together to improve business resilience across the region and to develop a pipeline of practical opportunities that partners can collaborate on, with the ambition of progressing an initial “first trade” between organisations.
Organisations which have signed the MoU include National Grid, Network Rail, Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, SP Energy Networks, Cadent Gas, Severn Trent, Hafren Dyfrdwy, Hillgreen, Severn Dee and Avara Foods.
Alex Wagner, deputy leader of Shropshire Council, said:-
“What came through strongly in the workshop was that many of these organisations are dealing with the same challenges, often in the same places.
“By signing this agreement, partners are committing to work together in a much more joined‑up way, sharing insight and developing practical solutions that support both business resilience and long‑term sustainability across our region.”
Discussions at the workshop focused on common challenges faced by organisations, including climate change impacts, infrastructure dependencies, land and water management pressures and the need for better coordination across borders and sectors.
Glyn Preston, Powys County Council cabinet member with responsibility for economic growth, said:
“The regional economy depends on resilient infrastructure, strong supply chains and collaboration across borders. This coalition gives us a practical mechanism to bring major organisations together, align priorities and turn shared ambition into action that supports economic growth while responding to environmental pressures.”
The newly formed coalition will provide a structured way for major employers and infrastructure operators to work alongside public sector partners to identify shared risks, align investment priorities and support long‑term growth.
