Successful bid to put Greater Lincolnshire’s food sector on the world stage

Automation and robotics in the food sector in Greater Lincolnshire has been chosen as one of the Government’s 19 new investment opportunities across the UK.
Researchers at the University of Lincoln are using robots and automation to help farmers.Researchers at the University of Lincoln are using robots and automation to help farmers.
Researchers at the University of Lincoln are using robots and automation to help farmers.

On Thursday, it was announced that the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership had been successful in its bid to join the ‘High Potential Opportunities’ scheme, which aims to increase inward investment into the UK.

The announcement means that Greater Lincolnshire will now work with the Department for International Trade to attract overseas investment into the area, specifically in terms of automation and robotics in the food sector.

Pat Doody, chairman of the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Food production is a cornerstone of the Greater Lincolnshire economy, and indeed the UK. It has created more growth and high-value jobs in the last five years than any other sector so we are delighted this is recognised nationally, and we will work with the Department for International Trade to develop our pitch for additional investment opportunities to bring automation and robotics companies to Lincolnshire.”

Partners locally are working together to develop Greater Lincolnshire into the ‘UK Food Valley’ which will compete globally, Mr Doody said.

In the last five years, at least £500 million has been invested locally in this sector, he said, including £90 million on research and development and innovation.

“However, I am really clear that there are significant opportunities for growth, particularly around food production and logistics in Boston, automation and robotics, AI and nutrition. These are exciting times for Greater Lincolnshire food production,” he added.