INTERVIEW


Business Togetherness


It’s two years this month since Adam Marshall was installed as the permanent Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce. He spoke with Business Network Editor Nathan Fearn to reflect on his role, Brexit and why he is confident of a prosperous future for the UK.


Adam Marshall’s CV is an impressive one - graduating in Political Science/History at Yale University before completing an MPhil in International Relations and PhD in International Studies at the University of Cambridge. Yet despite his obvious academic talent, Adam, who was


born in Washington DC but has lived in the UK for two decades, was destined for a career outside of academia due to a self-confessed desire to engage more directly in business. “My background is in economic development and in trying


to understand what it is that makes places thrive and what makes them develop successful economies,” explains Adam. “I initially pursued an academic route but realised I


needed to be on the frontline of impact and change, rather than observing or writing about it. “I moved away from graduate work and worked for a


year trying to bring more companies to work with universities so that these businesses could grow beyond the start-up phase and take advantage of some of the talent at universities in order to bring innovative products to market.” It was during his time at the think tank Centre for Cities,


an organisation he helped found, that Adam began developing the credentials and experience that would set him on a path that would lead him to the British Chambers of Commerce – an organisation which sits at the heart of a unique network of 53 accredited Chambers nationwide. “My background is very much steeped in understanding


what makes places tick and what kind of change is needed to ensure they can be successful in the future – that was the premise behind Centre for Cities. “I have always had the strong belief that success is


driven by entrepreneurial and enterprising people and passionate business people who are willing to take risks in order to make things happen. “By chance I learned that a director role at the British Chambers of Commerce had become vacant, I felt it was an opportunity to bring together those interests around places, business and economic success.” Subsequently, in 2009, Adam embarked on a career with


the BCC which continues to this day. Following a successful six-and-a-half-year spell as Executive Director (Policy and External Affairs) which saw him represent Chambers and their members in Whitehall, Westminster and the media, he was invited to take the role of Acting Director General in 2016. Eight months later he was confirmed permanently in the


role with Francis Martin, President at the BCC, declaring him the “outstanding choice to lead the BCC, at a time when the views of business have never been more important”. The significance of the role, and the ability to affect


positive change, is something not lost on Adam. “It is a hugely momentous time to be doing this job,”


says Adam.


“I am both humbled and grateful that I get the opportunity to go out and speak for 75,000 businesses which employ almost six million people and that I get to make a connection between the needs of businesses in Nottingham or Chesterfield and the big policy decisions being taken by Her Majesty’s Government or international agencies. That’s incredibly motivating for me, to get up in the morning and know you have a chance to fight for business on a day-to-day basis.” Alongside other strategic priorities, the BCC – along with


the wider Chamber Network – is tasked with navigating its members through the increasingly choppy waters of Brexit. Yet in among the challenges, argues Adam, are opportunities to be embraced – and it is this balance that will be important in the short-, mid- and long-term. “Yes, it’s been a challenging time,” acknowledges Adam. “We’ve had to re-orientate our team in order to deal with


some of the pressing uncertainty and change arising from the Referendum decision. We are also working every day to respond to the concerns of Chamber member companies, many of which are seeing their operations, recruitment, and investment decisions affected by Brexit. “However we also need to look to understand where the opportunities are in change. This is a moment where companies across the UK are taking a good look at themselves and asking how they can be successful in the future. For some this is a very hard process – but for some it’s a moment to reconsider the world around them and look at ways to become even better and more competitive.” In regards to the hard-fought EU Referendum, the BCC


remained staunchly neutral throughout. It’s a policy that Adam believes has been important in enabling it to reflect the views and protect the interests of all member businesses, irrespective of their stance. “I think our credibility in this space is strong as a Chamber Network because we acknowledge that business opinion isn’t monolithic – it’s actually incredibly diverse. And we also have great strength because we are not afraid to speak up for what businesses want and need – practical answers to real-world questions. “Of course business people had a variety of views prior


to the Referendum and business people still have a variety of views two years on. However there are a few factors where business communities across the UK really do speak with one voice. “For example, there is no desire for a messy or disorderly


exit from the European Union. Businesses want to see a negotiated settlement and a deal at the end of the process; they want to see the UK Government supporting business confidence and investment by taking key decisions that are under our own control; and they want clear


business network October 2018 47


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