COMMENT


THE


LAST WORD


GEOFF POYZER, Chamber President, on the issues that are worth talking about


PRESIDENT’S SUMMER CELEBRATION It was fantastic to meet and talk with so many members and friends of the Chamber at the recent President’s Summer Celebration, which took place at Thrumpton Hall, Nottinghamshire. It was also great to be able to acknowledge a selection


of highly valued organisations that celebrate significant milestones in 2017 with regards to how long they have been members of the Chamber. One of the highlights of the evening was the unveiling of


the finalists for the 2017 Chamber Business Awards across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire. As ever, there are some stellar organisations up for


awards across the numerous categories and my congratulations go to all of those nominated. To be a finalist is, in itself, an excellent achievement given the high quality of applications we received. I look forward to celebrating with all finalists and winners at the three Business Awards gala dinners in September.


GENERAL ELECTION If we have learned one thing from the various referendums and elections that have taken place at home and abroad in recent years it is to expect the unexpected. While Theresa May retained her position as Prime


Minister, it was not with a majority and was clearly not the result Mrs May, or the Conservative party, was looking for. A hung Parliament was not a result business will have


relished as this can only create additional uncertainty on top of what is already an uncertain period. However, irrespective of the result and makeup of the new


Government, the priorities must be the same. Specifically, the Government must ensure that, through its negotiations with the EU, it creates an environment where UK businesses can thrive outside of the EU and take advantage of the opportunities that will undoubtedly present themselves. Another priority of the incoming Government must also


be to address and effectively deal with the skills gap that you, as our members, have consistently told us is having a detrimental effect on your ability to grow. As ever, the Chamber will work tirelessly on your behalf to ensure this, and other prominent issues, are raised and acknowledged by key decision-makers locally and nationally.


JOBS FIGURES The most recent set of jobs figures from the Office for National Statistics are once again encouraging, with the unemployment rate in the East Midlands currently standing at 4.1%, which is better than the national figure of 4.6%.


62 business network July/August 2017 The recent East Midlands Employment and Skills Summit was attended by 170 delegates Given the context of uncertainty surrounding the recent


general election and, of course, the continuing Brexit negotiations, it is excellent to see businesses demonstrating confidence and looking to grow. That said, it is of fundamental importance that


organisations are able to operate in an environment conducive to business and not hamstrung by ongoing uncertainty both domestically and in the wider European community and beyond.


EMPLOYMENT AND SKILLS SUMMIT It was pleasing to see 170 delegates attend the recent East Midlands Employment and Skills Summit, with plenty of best practice and takeaways taken from the day by those in attendance. Employment and skills is, quite rightly, receiving a lot of


attention among policy-makers and commentators and it is vital that business is a key driver and at the heart of the conversation. The Employment and Skills Summit, which took place at


Loughborough University, also highlighted significant research undertaken by the Chamber and the results of this research, as well as further Chamber reaction, can be found on pages 26 and 27 of this magazine.


AND FINALLY… My sincerest condolences to all those affected by the recent terrorist attacks at Westminster Bridge and Finsbury Park and, of course, the fire at Grenfell Tower, in West London. It is awful to comprehend such needless loss of life but, as


ever, such tragic events highlight what a fantastic job our emergency services do and also demonstrates the incredible solidarity of the country at an extremely difficult time.


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