In conjunction with East Midlands Chamber (EMC) and Eversheds Sutherland, Nottingham Means Business (NMB) was proud to host an event this morning to discuss the Government’s Industrial Strategy.
The Green Paper issued in January invites comment and feedback by 17 April 2017 and the purpose of today’s event was to obtain the thoughts of business leaders across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
We were also fortunate to have Lilian Greenwood MP in attendance who provided some political context to the discussion and was there to hear feedback firsthand to take down to Westminster.
It was particularly poignant that our second collaborative event with East Midlands Chamber (the first being the Big EU Business Debate in May last year) coincided with the day Article 50 is triggered, which formally begins the process of the UK leaving the EU. As the Prime Minister states in the Green Paper – ‘A modern industrial strategy is a critical part of the plan for post-Brexit Britain.’
Chris Hobson, Director of Policy and External Affairs at EMC set the scene and emphasised that the East Midlands despite recent uncertainty remains a very robust regional economy. This means as a region we’re engaging with policy agendas, which include the Midlands Engine (launched on 9 March 2017) and the Industrial Strategy from a position of strength. He also highlighted that while industry sectors are critical, within the Green Paper there is also a considerable emphasis on the importance of place.
L-R: Paul Southby (Marketing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire), Mark Wood (Eversheds Sutherland), Lilian Greenwood MP, Simon Gray (NMB) and Chris Hobson (EMC).
Attendees debate the Industrial Strategy at Eversheds Sutherland’s fantastic new offices.
A lengthy document, the Industrial Strategy Green Paper identifies 10 pillars that underpin the plan. These include investing in science, research and innovation, developing skills, upgrading infrastructure, supporting business growth, improving procurement, encouraging trade and inward investment, affordable energy and clean growth, cultivating world-leading sectors, driving growth across the whole country and creating the right institutions to bring together sectors and places.
Areas of discussion focused on skills and employability and how a post-Brexit Britain will address the requirement for skills, both now and in the future.
In addition, infrastructure and transport links, including digital connectivity and HS2 were debated. Also the recognition that this needs a whole Government approach rather than being just the focus of a particular department (Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy).
We look forward to East Midlands Chamber’s report, which will be communicated back to Government.
A big thank you to everyone who attended this morning’s event and to Eversheds Sutherland for hosting us so well. A special thank you too goes to Lilian Greenwood MP and Chris Hobson who expertly chaired the discussion.