INTERVIEW
and precise information on the practical questions that matter to them. “I see it as BCC’s responsibility to present these issues to
top-level cabinet ministers and the teams that advise them so they can understand that there are variations based on place, on size of business and that there are crucial business views as to what we need to do next.” Following two years of discussion, debate, proposals and
counter-proposals, Brexit continues to sit front-and-centre in political discourse, yet domestic matters continue to be as pressing as ever. With so much focus on Brexit, is there a danger of a loss
of focus domestically and could that be to the detriment of UK plc? Adam is unequivocal in his response. “Brexit is the single-largest issue facing the United Kingdom at the moment but it is far from the only issue,” he argues. “Even the best possible Brexit deal won’t be worth the
paper it is written on if the UK Government isn’t doing everything in its power to make conditions better for businesses here at home. Companies are crying out for people because they can’t get the skills they need, physical and digital infrastructure isn’t up to scratch, and higher costs are being piled on businesses both from Government policy decisions and taxation – these pertinent issues don’t make for a great business environment. “We at BCC dedicate the majority of our time to trying
to get across to our friends in Westminster and Whitehall the message that fixing those fundamentals here in the UK is the number one job. In ten to fifteen years or so we will have passed through the immediate impacts of Brexit, but we will still need to be competitive in the global market - and many other countries are currently more focused and investing better.” At a time of great unpredictability and uncertainty, how
can we forge a prosperous future for the UK and what needs to happen to ensure this becomes a reality? For Adam, ambition and collaboration is key. “I have been around the block a number of times in
terms of economic development strategies and I have seen different local and regional visions and different departments, agencies and architectures all come and go – I think we need something bigger than that. “What doesn’t work is the piecemeal approach we have
had over recent decades, constant change and instability – such as the chopping and changing of Government policies for businesses. We need that stability and clear purpose that we can all share. “We need something that unites business, the wider
public and Government together in trying to reach for the stars - whether that means, for example, the UK becoming the first carbon neutral country in Europe or the UK becoming the healthiest country in Europe. We need some very big missions that everybody can subscribe to. We can unleash a wave of optimism and innovation in this country if we’re aiming for a big goal that matters. “Ultimately, we need to be providing products and
services that other people across the world want to buy. As long as we have those products and services we will be successful as a country. We have fantastic companies with great products and services that sell to clients around the world no matter what the trade deals and market conditions are, and we need more companies like those.” Adam is set to be a keynote speaker at the Chamber’s
annual State of the Economy Conference next month and the region, he believes, is of immense importance not only to the UK’s economy now, but also its future growth and success. “When you look at the high-value manufacturing and
incredibly successful logistics businesses located in the East Midlands – as well as the many growing companies located in the area - it is clear that the East Midlands is a huge part of the UK’s future economic success.
‘It is clear that the East Midlands is a huge part of the UK’s future economic success’
48 business network October 2018
“One of my missions is to remove the London-centric bias
of some of our civil servants and get them to understand that what may work in the south east of England doesn’t necessarily work in Worksop or Leicester, for example. We need to find ways to support incredible businesses in different places around the UK – that needs to be a priority. “I am very bullish about the East Midlands and its
potential and I am committed to working with the leadership of the East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire) to deliver that. It’s one of the biggest Chambers in the United Kingdom, it has grown leaps and bounds and to see that level of business commitment, belonging and desire to bring the region together to make it even stronger is incredibly special and I am pleased to have the chance to be a part of it.” That commitment, belonging and desire will be seen in
the months and years to come up and down the country as Chambers work hard to represent and enhance their members’ prospects. And it’s that sense of business togetherness that will help
ensure the BCC, and by proxy the wider Chamber Network, continues to be an integral focal point for UK businesses for years to come – with a very clear vision at its core. “Our activity is underpinned by four words and principles –
Voice; Trade; Membership and Place,” explains Adam. “Every Chamber of Commerce gives a voice to its local
community, it helps companies that trade internationally, it brings people together through the bond of membership and belonging, and it helps to make the place where it does business better. “Once you have that, the mission of the BCC becomes
really simple. It’s to passionately represent the interests of Chambers and Chamber members on the one hand, and add value to the Chamber Network on the other – by making the whole greater than the sum of its parts. “We have an incredibly diverse network of companies
out there and what you can’t bottle and take away very easily when you go to a Chamber meeting is that sense of belonging and togetherness; businesses which actively work to help each other, sometimes even when they are in competition with each other. “Businesses come together to make a difference to their
bottom line but also to enhance the community in which they live, work and play – that is hugely important.”
Adam is set to be a keynote speaker at the Chamber’s upcoming State of the Economy Conference
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