With profound sadness, The Enterprise Forum mourns the passing of Oliver Colvile. Oliver served, with vigour and humour, on the board of the Forum from 2005 to 2010. He stood down from the board on being elected to Parliament as the member for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, a constituency he served with huge diligence until 2017. On ceasing to be an MP, Oliver demonstrated his commitment to the Forum by rejoining the board in 2019 until poor health forced his resignation in 2023.
We will greatly miss our lovely friend and colleague.
Oliver Colvile died on the morning of 21 October 2025. His death was announced by Rt Hon Stuart Andrew MP in the House of Commons. Tributes were made by Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Rt Hon Wes Streeting MP on behalf of the Government and Rt Hon Graham Stuart MP.
The Enterprise Forum delivered a series of events at the 2025 party conferences, bringing together senior parliamentarians, industry leaders and stakeholders to debate economic growth, skills and trade.
Liberal Democrat Conference – Bournemouth
The Enterprise Forum’s Lunch, in partnership with ADS, took place on 21 September and featured keynote addresses from Daisy Cooper MP, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats and Treasury spokesperson, and The Rt Hon The Lord Fox, Business and Trade spokesperson in the House of Lords.
Labour Party Conference – Liverpool
On 30 September, The Enterprise Forum’s Liverpool Business Reception – held in partnership with the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS), Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA), UKHospitality and Heathrow – welcomed guests to the Heathrow Lounge at ACC Liverpool. Chaired by Natascha Engel, the event featured Rt Hon James Murray MP, Chief Secretary to the Treasury; Bill Esterson MP, Chair of the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee; and Paul Nowak, General Secretary of the TUC. Attendees enjoyed craft beer from Liverpool’s Neptune Brewery (courtesy of SIBA).
Conservative Party Conference – Manchester
The Enterprise Forum, in partnership with the Scottish Beer and Pub Association (SBPA), hosted a series of discussions in Edinburgh on 16 and 17 September 2025 for Enterprise Forum members and politicians from the SNP, Scottish Conservatives, and Scottish Labour.
On the afternoon of Tuesday 16 September, Daniel Johnson MSP, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Business and Fair Work, joined members for a lunchtime discussion. Later on the same day, Russell Findlay MSP, Leader of the Scottish Conservatives; Craig Hoy MSP, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government; and Rachael Hamilton MSP, Deputy Leader of the Scottish Conservatives, attended a dinner with Enterprise Forum members.The final event of the programme in Edinburgh was with Richard Lochhead MSP, Minister for Small Business, Innovation, Tourism and Trade, who joined a lunchtime Enterprise Forum discussion on Wednesday 17 September 2025.
The Enterprise Forum held a roundtable discussion on advancing skills and apprenticeships in Greater Manchester with Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham on Wednesday 10 September at the Cooperative Groups Head Office in Manchester.
Chaired by Rt Hon Alistair Burt, founder and Vice President of The Enterprise Forum, the meeting brought together business leaders to highlight the roles their organisations are playing and underscore the vital role of colleaborative partnerships in shaping a future-ready workforce. We were delighted to welcome apprentices from the Coop who shared their experience in their training journeys. Regional economic growth is reliant on modern apprenticeships being integrated into the fabric of Greater Manchester’s economy.
Apprenticeships and skills are a key topic in The Enterprise Forum’s programme of events with The Enterprise Forum returning back to Manchester on Sunday 5 October to host a panel discussion with Make UK “Skills for success: Developing a future workforce to power economic growth” with Peter Bedford MP, Member of the APPG for Apprenticeships and Member of the Work and Pensions Committee and Dame Harriett Baldwin DBE MP, Shadow Business and Trade Minister.
It is with great sadness that the Directors of The Enterprise Forum report the death of our chairman Mr Andrew Cumpsty.
The fact that the Forum is now an integral part of the national conversation in respect of business and enterprise is a lasting tribute to Andrew’s work and vision.
When Andrew realised, over 25 years ago, that there needed to be an organisation to enable the exchange of views and information between the politicians, government and the executive and business and enterprise, he set about bringing the Forum into being. The fact that the Forum now occupies such a special place in the national conversation is a tribute to Andrew’s tireless endeavour and no small amount of Lancastrian grit. To say that he will be greatly missed is a trite understatement, but wholly true.
The team that he has built and led and the structure that he has created will be a continuing tribute to his imagination and industry.
The entire Enterprise Forum family will mourn the loss of Andrew’s ebullience and humour, his drive and tenacity, his compassion and humanity, his loyalty and vigour and his desire to make our world a better place.
We will endeavour to manifest these values as we go forward, in sadness at the absence of our friend, but with his resolution, his humour and his hope.
Rt Hon The Lord Eric Pickles, President, The Enterprise Forum:
“I want to add a few words about a man I have known for over thirty-five years who became a good friend.
I first met Andrew when he was a student at Bradford University, and I was the Leader of the City Council; over the years, our paths crossed many times at Conservative Party events. He was an exceptionally talented Leader of the Reading Council and co-founder of the Thames Valley Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership. Later, we served together on the government’s Advisory Committee on Business Appointments and the Enterprise Forum. In all these roles, he brought his customary drive, determination, and charm.
Above everything, Andrew was such good company. He was a natural wit with a wicked sense of humour. Rarely a day would go by without an exchange of texts about the occasionally bizarre world of politics. Over recent years, I have laughed more in his company than in any others. Like all his friends, I will miss him greatly. Yet, even at the suddenness of his death, I find it impossible to think of Andrew without smiling. He made our lives better, and I am grateful for his friendship.”
Rt Hon Alistair Burt, Co-Founder, The Enterprise Forum:
“When I was a young MP in Bury, I made a speech in Parliament comparing the lost jobs in manufacturing in my northern constituency with “McDonalds” employment, not particularly favourably towards fast foods. I received almost immediately a call from the manager of the local McDonald’s in Bury, suggesting that before I sounded off again, I might like to visit them, and take a look at their employment and training, and perhaps I would not be quite so stupid in the future. That manager was Andrew Cumpsty, and thus began a friendship between us of some thirty years.
Andrew’s commitment to fairness, the societal value of business and his political acumen led to a discussion between us following the election of 1997, of how political parties treated business. Andrew observed that, especially in the run up to an election, parties appeared to demand that businesses endorse their manifestos, which made them wary of engagement. And contact with the Opposition was negligible, as business concluded that contact with Government alone served their interest.
He told me that we should change that, that business should be able to suggest improvements to the culture surrounding enterprise to all parties, without being extorted for money in donations or expressions of party political support, as the aim of business was to have their interests supported in all manifestos. He suggested we seek the support of Gerald Frankel, who had built up Labours Industry Forum whilst it was the Opposition, explaining that, straightforwardly, we wanted to open a channel with the new Conservative Opposition, for the same purposes as he had-to ensure those who might hold the reins of power one day knew what business needed. Over a lunch at Vasco and Piero’s Pavilion, Gerald became an enthusiast for Andrews idea, the first of many conversions.
Andrew’s perception led to the creation of the Enterprise Forum, and his extraordinary commitment to it for over twenty five years has seen his idea grow into the successful channel of communication which is unique in our politics. I have had the great joy of seeing my friend succeed, seeing his commitment rewarded by his securing not just high quality membership, but a place at the tables of all parties, as he put open communication and the benefits to business, their employees and the economy ahead of any party political interests. To be both an active and successful Conservative, but keep the trust of those who were not, is testimony to a very special character.
We have lost a very special friend, but what he inspired will not be lost.”
The Enterprise Forum is pleased to announce that Royston Smith has joined the Board of Directors at The Enterprise Forum
Royston Smith said: “I am thrilled to be joining the Enterprise Forum as a director. In my former role, as a Member of Parliament, I attended many of the forum’s events over the years. The events provide an independent setting for politicians to be informed, first-hand, of the issues affecting businesses across the length and breadth of the UK. I am looking forward to working with the Chairman and directors as the country navigates the significant challenges facing both business and Government in the coming years.”
Andrew Cumpsty, Chairman of The Enterprise Forum said: “I am delighted to welcome Royston to The Enterprise Forum Board of Directors. Royston brings with him a decade of experience as a Member of Parliament and a wealth of knowledge from previously running his own business. I look forward to working with Royston and other directors in developing a programme of events that will bring to the forefront the wide range of challenges that UK businesses are currently tackling.”
Royston Smith’s biography can be found here.
The Enterprise Forum is run by an unpaid board of senior directors from business and industry with a membership that includes commercial organisations (FTSE 100 companies to SMEs), trade associations and charities. The organisation does not take a position on policy and does not donate to or receive donations from any Political Party.
For more information on The Enterprise Forum please contact Mark Beckett on 020 4534 7576 or email markbeckett@enterprise-forum.co.uk.
