Huntingdonshire Showcased at the House of Commons

Huntingdonshire District Council (HDC) hosted a high-profile event at the House of Commons on Tuesday, shining a spotlight on the district’s growing reputation as a centre for innovation, investment, and sustainable growth.

The showcase brought together senior representatives from local and central government, the Ministry of Defence (MOD), and industry leaders — underlining strong cross-party support for Huntingdonshire’s strategic ambitions.

Key speakers and themes

Speakers included Ben Obese-Jecty MP, Armed Forces Minister Al Carns MP, Major General Matthew Jones, Charlotte Horobin (CEO of Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce), Councillor Sarah Conboy (Executive Leader of HDC), and Michelle Sacks (Chief Executive, HDC).

Set against the backdrop of the Strategic Defence Review, the Defence Industrial Strategy, and the Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor, the event highlighted Huntingdonshire’s pivotal role in national and regional development.

Councillor Sarah Conboy said:

“Today has been an opportunity to show government, the MOD, and prospective investors why Huntingdonshire deserves their attention when making critical decisions about where to locate and expand their operations. We’ve shown the strength of our partnerships, the depth of our local talent, and our shared ambition to deliver prosperity across our communities.”

A strong message of collaboration

In his opening remarks, Ben Obese-Jecty MP emphasised the importance of celebrating Huntingdonshire’s potential and recognising the opportunities ahead — particularly in developing a thriving defence and innovation ecosystem.

Minister Al Carns MP highlighted the importance of partnership, remarking that “your network is your net worth,” and stressing that close cooperation between councils, local leaders, and national partners is key to achieving long-term success.

Major General Matthew Jones noted that his engagement with HDC had revealed “genuine potential for developing a defence cluster in Huntingdonshire,” built on shared vision and growing momentum among partners.

Looking ahead

The event reinforced Huntingdonshire’s commitment to collaboration and its ambition to drive sustainable economic growth. Building on this momentum, HDC plans a series of further engagement events to strengthen partnerships and continue positioning Huntingdonshire as a leading destination for innovation, defence, and investment.