A PROMINENT Malvern businessman is one of the stars of a new campaign aimed at securing the future of Worcestershire.

Paul Walker, managing director of global manufacturing company Malvern Instruments, stars in a short film talking about the importance of the county’s future prosperity for the Worcestershire Next Generation project.

The recently launched initiative brings together businesses and voluntary, com- munity and public sector organisations that have pledged to work together to create a better future for Worcestershire. Building a strong economy is its top priority and replicating the economic growth seen in Malvern in recent years is seen as a way of improving county-wide prosperity.

The project cites the success of the Malvern Hills Science Park, the town’s growing cyber-technology community, and businesses such as Malvern Instruments as key examples of how Worcestershire could thrive in the future.

Mr Walker, who was involved in founding the project, said: “The local economy is the key driver for our future prosperity and in recent times, our dependence on the Government and public sector being able to provide jobs and opportunities to create that future wealth is going to be constrained at best.

“Therefore, it is vitally important that businesses across all sectors of the local community can generate those jobs and future prosperity, both for the community as a whole but particularly for the people that live and grow up here.”

He wants to strengthen links between the business and education sectors and is urging local businesses to provide opportunities for young people to get involved through work experience and apprenticeships. For more details, visit wearethe nextgeneration.co.uk.