BABC Annual Conference 2018
Business News
Sir John Peace – ‘We are the New Victorians”
By John Lamb
The Midlands region can be the New Victorians by leading a world of opportunity and ambition in the UK, a UK-US trade conference was told. Sir John Peace, chairman of the Midlands Engine,
was among the opening speakers at the BABC conference. He said: “I think that we in the Midlands are the
new Victorians. A hundred years or so ago you could invest in the infrastructure doing bold things and I think that is what distinguishes the Midlands today. “We are the new Victorians. Over the next five years
we look forward to many exciting developments that will enable us to showcase our region.” Sir John pointed out that next year the UK and the
headquarters. The business manufactures hydraulic manifolds and Ambassador Johnson said “their people are fabulous – you can see a lot of pride”. He continued: “We want to keep
investing here and it is not a matter of whether we have Brexit or not. “The future of the relationship
between the UK and the US is very, very bright and the President is very fond of your country. And my job is to leave this relationship stronger than when I took over.” The dinner was the culmination of
the conference held at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and included a welcome from Saqib Bhatti, vice-president of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce and honorary chairman of the Asian Business Chamber of Commerce.
The British-American Business Council has appointed Stuart Bagshaw as its new global president. Stuart, a board member of the BABC’s Northern California chapter, succeeds Tom Stevens of BABC Chicago. He boasts extensive experience
in transatlantic business – currently serving as chief executive of the British American Business LEAP (Land Expand Accelerator Programme), as well as being past president, chairman and current board member of BABC Northern California. He said: “Having been involved
with this organisation for almost 20 years, I have experienced the value that the BABC brings to any business with a strong interest in Transatlantic trade. “This remarkable network has
evolved over the decades helping to promote commerce and co- operation between the USA and the UK throughout its membership.”
Full flow: Sir John Peace speaking at the conference July/August 2018 CHAMBERLINK7
US will be celebrating the 400th anniversary of the Pilgrim Fathers and pointed to the many historic links between the two countries. He said the Midlands Engine had priority areas to
contribute to the UK’s industrial strategy and add significant value to both the Midlands and UK economy in the post-Brexit era.
‘This is arguably our greatest business opportunity in decades, benefiting both the East and West Midlands alike’
“We intend to invest in connectivity, improving our
road and rail networks. I would like to see more flights between the United States and the Midlands region. But investment is not just about transformation and improving journey time, it’s about creating jobs. “This is arguably our greatest business opportunity
in decades, benefiting both the East and West Midlands alike. And it’s not just about big business – it’s the SMEs. I know in the United States how important small and medium enterprises are to the US economy. But to do this we have to invest in skills in this country, making sure we have a workforce with the right skills for the future.
“But it really isn’t just all about economic growth.
If we can make the Midlands investable and also attractive for people to come and do those things I think we will have success. “We are the new Victorians. We are trying to
create a new world, and a new set of opportunities for people living here in the Midlands. “And I would like to think that over the next five to
10 years as we go through this radical change of technology and industrial revolution the Midlands can lead the way. I think we can do that through friendship and in collaboration with our friends and colleagues in the United States.” West Midlands Mayor Andy Street told the
conference: “It is the right time for you to be here in the West Midlands and you are definitely in the right city to have this debate. “The story of the West Midlands is that we have led
the world before. The first Industrial Revolution started here in the West Midlands at Ironbridge and we did it again in the Sixties. Can we lead again? We are on track to do exactly that and if we do it will be particularly sweet because this region, like some areas of the United States, suffered 40-50 years of decline. “But the great news for the West Midlands is that
we do have an incredible economic revival. You could argue that the West Midlands is leading the revival.” Oliver Griffiths, director of capability at the Department for International Trade, said the Government would “continue to press the US for an EU-wide exemption” on the newly-imposed tariffs. He said: “Only nine per cent of British companies
exported in 2016 and we want to stress the new opportunities in the United States. We want a fair transition… and ensure that there are no cliff edges in delivering commercial opportunities over the shorter period.”
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