INTERVIEW
Speaking out
It’s three-and-a-half-years since Scott Knowles took over the reins as Chief Executive at the award-winning East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire). He spoke with Business Network Editor Nathan Fearn about what has been achieved in that time, and why there is much more to come.
Scott Knowles has witnessed significant change in the business landscape over the years, none more so than in the technology sector. It’s an area he knows well, having started out in his
career as a computer programmer, as he explains. “I started at the Chamber in 1999 which back then was
the North Derbyshire Chamber, prior to several mergers which eventually led to East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire),” says Scott, who celebrates 20 years with the Chamber this month. “I joined from the technology sector, having been a C++
programmer from school, and performed that role for a few years before working for an Apple Macintosh dealership before Apple became such a universal force – back then it was very much aimed at the creative design sector. “It was an interesting time in terms of technological
advancement. There were a lot of Government funds thrown at, for example, Y2K (commonly known as the Millennium Bug) - that was perceived as being quite a significant issue for business. “I performed numerous roles for Apple, but when I
became aware of an opportunity with North Derbyshire Chamber centred on giving independent advice and support to businesses on IT, it was something that immediately appealed. “The whole idea around assisting businesses to embrace
these emerging technologies, and all the potential that came with it, was compelling and struck me as a great opportunity.” The extent of digital transformation has been
remarkable, with many referring to the state of innovative change as the Fourth Industrial Revolution. And Scott believes that the commercialisation of the digital sector brings with it significant opportunities for businesses of all shapes and sizes. “It sounds quite twee now but just 20 years ago I would
go out and see one of our members and they would be asking questions such as: “My competitor has this thing called a website, what is it and why do I need one?” Back then, people didn’t have websites, the Internet was emerging, you still had a prevalence of 56K modems for connecting to the Internet, email was still in its infancy and you’d only just had the equivalent versions of a modern Windows system. “The pace at which technology has moved, certainly in
the past ten years, has been massive. I think businesses back then were always looking for a competitive edge, as they are now, and were always looking to embrace technology. “Back then it was more difficult to roll out because it was
a brand new field for a lot of businesses and a lot of the technologies were perceived to be the domain of the big corporate organisations – now, everything is very affordable for micro businesses, sole traders and SMEs, which presents previously unseen opportunities.” Through 20 years at the Chamber, which included roles
44 business network May 2019
‘We’re there to be the voice for business but it is also about providing a range of products and services that are demand-led’
as Director of Operations and Deputy Chief Executive before taking on the Chief Executive role permanently in September 2015, Scott has seen many changes. Yet the main role of the Chamber and what it stands for
remains clear. And while this includes a defined vision, the ever-changing nature of the business climate and society means that the Chamber is very much focused on adaptability and relevance – led by the needs of its members. “The Chamber is an organisation that has many purposes,” says Scott. “Clearly we’re a membership and representation
organisation first and foremost and we’re there to be the voice for business but it is also about providing a range of products and services that are demand-led – these services are shaped by the business community. It’s up to the Chamber to be fleet of foot to deliver on that.” One of the five core themes of the Chamber, alongside Supporting Growth; Connecting You; Developing Skills and International Trade, is Helping You Influence – it’s an area of paramount importance for the Chamber in ensuring the voice of its members, and the wider business community of the region, is heard. “It’s why the Chamber is here, to support its members,
its customers and the wider business community,” explains Scott. “There’s clearly been a period of significant uncertainty
and businesses are looking to get the support, information and clarity that will allow them to plan their own investment strategies, recruitment strategies and their own business growth plans.” In order to plan for a prosperous future, businesses need
an environment conducive to growth. As such, it’s imperative that the experiences of businesses on the ground are considered, and that their asks and concerns are heard by decision-makers. For the Chamber to facilitate this, collaboration and
strength in numbers are key. “We collaborate and work very collegially with other
business representation organisations such as the FSB, the Confederation of British Industry and the Institute of Directors,” explains Scott. “It’s about having that collective voice and having critical
mass so that our voice is taken seriously. Whether you’re talking to local politicians, civil servants in Westminster, MPs or Government ministers, it is very difficult to ignore a single voice from 4,300 businesses and a cohesive narrative from prominent representation organisations – of which we are the largest in the region.”
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