CHAMBER NEWS


Priority focus needed to ensure manufacturing success in an uncertain future


Building on the success of last year’s conference, the 2019 Manufacturing and Engineering Conference will examine the latest thinking, policy and projections for the manufacturing sector in the East Midlands.


Manufacturing in the East Midlands will have to adapt to new challenges as Britain moves to a post-Brexit economy. The key to future growth will be


making sure the sector is aligned not only to the Government’s Industrial Strategy but also to global technical and digital innovation. Continuing to be able to recruit


the best people from home and overseas markets to local jobs will also be vital to future success. Despite the East Midlands being


the centre of manufacturing in the UK - firms in this region make more than any elsewhere in the country - there are already suggestions of problems in the sector. One interpretation of the latest


employment data, for example, is that manufacturing in the East Midlands is beginning to slow down. Recently-released Office for


National Statistics figures showed that unemployment in the East Midlands had risen to five per cent


(over 121,000 people) compared to a national average of four per cent, the lowest the national figure has been in over 40 years. Until quite recently, the resilience


of the regional economy had meant the national figure was consistently higher than that of the East Midlands for quite a long time. “Given that this region is


recognised as the manufacturing spine of the UK, some pundits are suggesting that the turnaround could be indicative of a drop in manufacturing confidence and output,” said Chris Hobson, Director of Policy at East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire). “Doubt and uncertainty over


Brexit, unsurprisingly, has been identified as a possible cause,” he added. On 28 March, the day before the


UK is due to leave the EU, the Chamber’s 2019 Manufacturing and Engineering Conference, supported by Lloyds Bank, will examine the latest thinking, policy and


‘The conference will examine key topics aimed at supporting the manufacturing sector, aligned to the five areas for growth and the four “grand challenges” of the Government’s Industrial Strategy’


projections for the sector in the region. Under the theme of Future


Growth, the conference will examine key topics aimed at supporting the manufacturing sector, aligned to the five areas for growth and the four “grand challenges” of the Government’s Industrial Strategy. It will bring together leaders


from across the sector and – through a series of keynote speakers and expert panel discussions – will explore the challenges and opportunities to develop strategies that will enable the East Midlands to continue to lead and drive the sector forward both in the UK and internationally. Items on the agenda will include


‘finance and investment’, ‘skills and productivity’, ‘technology, innovation and digital transformation’ and ‘policy and strategy’. Chris will open and compere the


event and there will be additional welcome addresses from Doug Squires, Managing Director, Squires Gear & Engineering, on behalf of Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber and from Dean Baker, Director of the Business Launch Centre at the Manufacturing Technology Centre. Paul Smith, Area Director,


Commercial Banking (Leicestershire), Lloyds Bank, under the heading Helping British Manufacturing to Prosper, will explore commitment to support British manufacturing through


38 business network March 2019


traditional banking solutions while offering added value through innovative working capital, trade offerings and sponsorship of the Manufacturing Technology Centre. Other keynote speakers and


panellists include Nick Chism, Director General, Enterprise at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Dominic Judge, Director at the charity Education and Employers, Tony Carr, from Caterpillar, Michelle Hargreaves, Principal Commercial Manager, Partner Markets, Vodafone, and Leigh Hunt, of CityFibre. The conference will be hosted by


The Manufacturing Technology Centre, Ansty Park, Coventry and runs from 8.30am-1pm. Attendance is £25+VAT members, £75+VAT non-members.


For more details on this not-to-be- missed event and to see the full agenda for the day, see p67.


East Midlands Manufacturing and Engineering Conference 2019


Supported by


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