COMMENT
THE LAST WORD
It’s hard to believe that we’re already in March and while we enter a very busy period – and one of great importance to both the East Midlands and the country – the Chamber will continue to be there for its members through its extensive range of products, services, events and all-round business support.
BREXIT This will be the final magazine, in theory, before the United Kingdom officially leaves the European Union – a date currently set at 29 March 2019. In reality, we still don’t know exactly what is
going to happen or, indeed, when it is going to happen. I read the British Chambers of Commerce’s Director General Adam Marshall refer to Theresa May’s announcement that the latest meaningful vote will take place by 12 March as “unacceptable” and it is a view I wholeheartedly agree with. This means that in all likelihood, we won’t
know what is going to happen until 17 days before we are due to leave the EU at the earliest. Businesses – in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire
and Leicestershire as well as across the UK – have been hamstrung by the uncertainty surrounding Brexit for far too long. As is usually the case, the tenacity and
robustness of our businesses have, to date, resulted in a “keep calm and carry on” approach and I applaud the resilience of the business community. However the message has to be that the
Government must protect the interests of our businesses and provide the best landscape for them to succeed. Businesses must be allowed to operate in the here and now but also plan with confidence for the future. In order to achieve this, we urgently need assurances and certainty.
CHAMBER SPONSORS I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank all of the Chamber’s sponsors who work with the Chamber on the many events and activities that take place throughout the year. In particular, I would like to thank Mazars for continuing to act as main sponsors of the Chamber’s Business Awards for the next three years.
82 business network February 2019
KEVIN HARRIS, Chamber President, on the issues that are worth talking about We are proud of the events we hold across
the region – big and small – which make a significant difference to businesses in the area. Such activity simply wouldn’t be possible without the support of our valued sponsors.
UPCOMING EVENTS The coming weeks and months are set to be extremely busy and productive for the Chamber as we host a number of high profile, flagship events. The start of this month sees the annual
Sustainability Summit, which includes a packed agenda – as profiled in last month’s magazine. We also have the Enterprising Women Awards
(8 March), the Chamber’s Annual Dinner (21 March) and the 2019 Manufacturing and Engineering Conference (28 March). Such events offer real value to members on
many levels – both in terms of sharing best practice, networking with likeminded individuals and, in the case of the Annual Dinner, celebrating the thriving business community we have here in the East Midlands. The Chamber runs events of all sizes throughout the year and you can look for upcoming events, and book your place, by visiting
www.emc-dnl.co.uk/events
QES There is still time to take part in the Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Survey for Q1 2019, with businesses having until 11 March to have their say. The survey only takes around five minutes to
complete and for those that are unaware, it is the biggest business survey of its kind in the East Midlands. The results provided by Chamber members
are crucial as they are then analysed by the Chamber in order to help shape crucial policy discussions locally, regionally and nationally – giving you a unique chance to have your say and influence the areas of business that matter to you. Results can also be used by members to gain
a competitive edge through the latest knowledge on how their local markets are faring. The results of the Chamber’s QES for
Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire then feed into the British Chambers of Commerce’s QES, the largest and most representative independent business survey of its kind in the UK. To influence the conversation by having your say, visit
bit.ly/EMCQES1 to take the short survey.
The Chamber’s Annual Dinner will be held on 21 March 2019
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