The managing director of one of Barrow’s most successful SMEs is to talk innovation at next week’s exclusive in-Cumbria business breakfast in Barrow.

Steve Phelps will offer an insight in to Rovtech’s cutting-edge work at the first in-Cumbria breakfast event, which takes place at The Abbey House Hotel, Barrow, on Wednesday, June 20.

The focus of the breakfast is on the themes of innovation, research and development and Cumbria’s post-Brexit future. It is sponsored by law firm Baines Wilson, finance firm Armstrong Watson and in association with in-Cumbria Business Awards partner Sellafield Limited.

Rovtech hit the headlines last week when a collaboration with Thursby-based Ennefftech and Ulverston’s Furness Engineering, was awarded a contract to develop a robot that can remotely inspect internal roof fixtures in buildings set to be decommissioned at the Sellafield.

It was the latest award from Sellafield Ltd’s LINC initiative, which gives SMEs a new direct route to business opportunities at the complex nuclear site in West Cumbria.

In November last year, Mr Phelps along with fellow senior managers Barry Vernon and Graham McAvoy, bought a majority stake in the 30-year-old company, which provides harsh environment tooling and remotely operated vehicles predominantly for the nuclear and oil and gas industries.

Becoming managing director was a major step for Mr Phelps, who started with the company in 2008 doing six hours a week working on its website.

He will join recently appointed chief executive of Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership, Jo Lappin, in speaking at the event. Ms Lappin will focus on the development of Cumbria’s Local industrial Strategy and what it come mean for Cumbria post-Brexit.

Luke Dicicco, editor of in-Cumbria magazine – who will introduce speakers at the event and chair a question and answers session – said: “It is great to have Steve involved with the event.

“I’m really looking forward to hearing from him about the many fantastic things Rovtech are working on and hearing his wider thoughts on innovation in Cumbria, what is taking place and what more can be done to support it.

“Rovtech is a shining example of the many innovative SMEs we have in the county that are working on exciting and complex projects both in Cumbria and further afield. It promises to be an informative and engaging event.”

Tickets for the Barrow business breakfast – and future events in Carlisle and Whitehaven – can be booked at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/in-cumbria-business-breakfasts-tickets-46521462948.

On Wednesday, July 4, the event moves to Carlisle Racecourse, where speakers will tackle what the Northern Powerhouse means for Cumbria and the huge potential of The Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal.

The final business breakfast will be held at Rosehill Theatre, Whitehaven, on Wednesday, July 18 where the hot topic for debate will be West Cumbria’s future beyond nuclear.

The three events will also be an opportunity to learn more about the in-Cumbria Business Awards 2018, which will take place at The Halston, in Carlisle on Thursday, November 15.

Businesses will be able to speak to in-Cumbria representatives about the categories and how to enter. For more information on this year’s awards visit www.in-cumbria.com/businessawards.