Opposite top: The region is renowned for life sciences


Opposite bottom: The facial reconstruction of Richard III


Centre: Cromford Mills, Derbyshire


Above left: Samuel Slater, “Father of the American Industrial Revolution”


Above right: The East Midlands' heritage is rich and varied


Left: The world's oldest working factory is situated in Derbyshire


Upon taking the reins of office at the Chamber’s 2016 The Midlands is responsible for almost a quarter of the UK's manufacturing capability


‘Is the East Midlands missing a trick by not underpinning this identity with that of the region’s previous triumphs?’


work in the Midlands, accounting for nearly a fifth of the UK’s economy. Many of the organisations that call the East Midlands their home are among the biggest and most influential in the world. Its high-performing and world-renowned universities,


science bases, global firms and supply chain networks are at the cutting-edge of research and innovation, key to driving productivity growth. The East Midlands specifically is lauded for its expertise


and contributions in a diverse range of sectors, with the region’s cities all playing key roles, notably – but not exclusive to - advanced manufacturing and aerospace, planes, trains and automobiles in Derby, life sciences in Nottingham and food and drink in Leicester. The region has been described by the Governor of the


Bank of England, Mark Carney, as a bellwether for the UK economy. The Chamber’s President, Geoff Poyzer, has been vocal in


his view that the East Midlands is a region we should be actively promoting and championing.


AGM he announced it would be one of his four focus areas in office, saying that there needs to be an emphasis on “promoting the ‘great’ East Midlands as a great place to live and work – all areas where the Chamber is already active. I make no apology for slipping ‘great’ in there. I was born and bred in this region and truly believe it to be great”. So, to a large extent, in order to articulate what the East Midlands is all about and what it has to offer, a powerful identity already exists and one that can be effectively harnessed. But is the East Midlands missing a trick by not underpinning this identity with that of the region’s previous triumphs? Are there elements of our past that we should be shouting from the rooftops? After all, much as a person is shaped by past experiences, the East Midlands is a construction of its past. And it’s an incredible past. Leicester is a great case in point. The city enjoys a strong


identity, one that more than adequately allows it to sell itself independently. The discovery in 2012, however, of the remains of Richard III - the last British monarch to die in battle and a death that heralded the start of the great Tudor dynasty - under a car park in the city has been used to brilliant effect. It’s created a synonymy with a significant part of British history that acts as a powerful marketing tool to promote Leicester throughout the world. Leicester City Council has estimated, using 'conservative'


figures, that the economic value brought into Leicester in the 12 months that followed the discovery of the remains to be £55m. So is there one single aspect of the East Midlands’ past


that could be of similarly significant use to raise the profile of the region, enhancing its profile, exposure and ability to sell itself on the world stage?


THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION When dealing with foreign cultures such as China and India, to name but two, respect, impressions, reputation, confidence; they all count for so much long before any business transaction is considered.


business network March 2017 35


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