BUSINESS INSIGHT
Matt Brittin, Google UK’s president of EMEA business
operations, identified getting connected, strength in innovation (especially computing) and Britain’s great culture and creativity as three key trends to help UK business flourish despite the structural changes that would occur post-Brexit. He also highlighted the role Google would play in making
technology accessible to young people and small businesses, and committed to making five hours of digital skills training available to every person in the UK via Google’s Digital Garage. The Brexit vote has certainly sent ripples through the tech
sector. For the audience of business leaders across Britain’s large and medium-sized companies, here was a chance to learn about cutting-edge digital solutions and far-reaching technological advances that could put them in the strongest position to cope with disruption and embrace change.
Attracting global investment In her conference address, the Prime Minister, Theresa May, while acknowledging that the referendum vote would present UK businesses with challenges, insisted that Brexit would provide new opportunities for all. Mrs May outlined plans for Britain to
be “the global go-to place for scientists, innovators and tech investors,” adding, “The Chancellor will lay out an agenda that is not just ambitious for business but ambitious for Britain … He will make sure Britain outside the EU is the most attractive place for business to invest.” To support this, Chancellor of the
Exchequer Philip Hammond’s Autumn Statement included spending plans that should be been seen as positive by Relocate’s audience of organisations looking to grow and take advantage of global markets, including:
• £1.3 billion for road projects • £2 billion per year for science and technology • A cut in corporation tax that will make the UK’s the lowest in the G20
Mrs May also spoke of forging “new and dynamic” trade agreements that would allow an “ambitious” Britain to trade across the world. Reassuring her business audience, she said, “We can strike a deal that’s right for Britain and right for the rest of Europe, too.” The results of a new CBI survey of 800 businesses also
sounded a positive note, with 70 per cent of respondents planning to increase or maintain their innovation spending following the vote to leave the EU.
The role of SMEs Carolyn Fairbairn has been the CBI’s director-general for a year now, and has proved to be a highly competent and potentially transformational leader for this heavyweight industry body. Her engaging, listening style of leadership and her will to modernise while keeping her members on board seem to be in tune with the country’s mood to get on and make things work in the reality of Brexit.
CBI members are not all large FTSE 100 organisations but
include plenty of medium-sized business struggling to address the challenge of change against an ever-evolving landscape and moving goalposts. The world is indeed changing, but medium- sized companies are very much a part of the UK’s future and success, and have employment and talent issues even if they are not currently major exporters. Such companies are to be found not just in London and
other big cities but throughout the UK. In fast-changing times, professional associations need to represent all their members as best they can. That includes nurturing and engaging with the SMEs, which are potentially a big source of growth for the future. Said Carolyn Fairbairn, “The UK will need to work hard
to become the front-runner in global innovation, creating a pioneering economic role for itself in the world that drives prosperity in every corner of the UK.
Nicola Mendelsohn, Facebook
“Innovation is the nucleus of future economic and social
development, so it’s encouraging that seven out of ten firms will keep up – or even raise – their spending on new technologies and work practices to grow their business. “As we prepare to depart the EU, this shows that firms are
rolling up their sleeves and looking to make the best of Brexit. “Spending on innovation generates jobs and economic growth
across the country, offering solutions to the challenges we face today and in the years ahead, from improving healthcare and mobile technology to a new generation of autonomous vehicles.” Ms Fairbairn continued, “The Autumn Statement comes
at a real crunch point to support our inventors, makers and designers, so the Chancellor must make the most of the tools at his disposal. The CBI wants to see a long-term commitment to target 3 per cent of GDP in R&D spending by 2025 and a doubling of Innovate UK’s budget. “This needs to be underpinned by a new industrial strategy
which builds on the UK’s sectoral and regional strengths.” Even Jeremy Corbyn, speaking at the end of the conference,
congratulated Carolyn Fairbairn on a job well done before tackling his main agenda.
For more highlights from the CBI Annual Conference 2016 and to keep up-to-date with the latest leadership and management thinking, visit
relocateglobal.com
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