Business News President’s Focus
Nick Hardy is president of Burton Chamber and is now 18 months into his term. He’s seen a lot of changes in that time, from the turbulence of Brexit to the closure of major employers in the region. However, none of that has dimmed his enthusiasm for the region and its prospects, and he now believes that his final months as president will take place during a more stable period for Burton.
equally as enthused as I was when I first accepted the role. In business, I have always strived to celebrate
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the successes and my Chamber position has allowed me to encourage this ethos among fellow members of the division. The business community of Burton have been
pleased to welcome our new MP, Kate Griffiths, to the role in December. I have spoken to many business leaders since the election and it is clear that they are enthusiastic in looking ahead to a period of less political uncertainty across the UK. Following a fairly turbulent 2019, general consensus is one of positivity for the new year – with many organisations looking to invest and grow in a more stable climate. Mrs Griffiths has expressed that the
regeneration of our town centre is high on the priority list with the regeneration board meeting to discuss the opportunities for the £25m investment received in 2019. The new MP has also made assurances that improving safety on the region’s roads, particularly the A38 and A50, is another priority - one which will be welcomed by all.
‘The division continues to go from strength-to-strength, as members take advantage of the wide range of support, networking opportunities and of the valuable relationships formed with other members’
Burton and the district have experienced turbulent times over the past few years with many of the more negative stories often making the headlines. From Brexit uncertainty to the closure of major employers in the region – there’s no doubt that the business community has felt the pressure from one angle or another. However, it’s also very true of the opposite
and, as president, I am in a fortunate position to hear about all of the positive business stories that are taking place each and every week across the area. Our Chamber itself has reason to celebrate
with seven new businesses signing as patrons in 2019 – adding to the membership growth of ten per cent for the year (see page opposite). The division continues to go from strength-to-
strength, as members take advantage of the wide range of support, networking opportunities and of the valuable relationships formed with other members. The Chamber council meets monthly in Burton and we are all keen to share
16 CHAMBERLINK February 2020
the encouraging stories of growth and success amongst our members. As managing director of Hardy Signs, a patron
of the Burton Chamber, I have found the links to other divisions invaluable. The relationships formed with business leaders across the Greater Birmingham region and the connections to key organisations have been instrumental in delivering the company’s most successful year to date… posting record turnover and profits. I’m delighted to have added a significant
number of these connections to our client list as well as welcoming a number of the organisations on board as suppliers to Hardy Signs. These successes are ones that I am only too pleased to illustrate, and celebrate, as I carry out my role as president. They speak volumes of the value in becoming part our growing Chamber division. In my President’s Focus last March of last year, I spoke to encourage my fellow business leaders
as to the value of education and training opportunities in the workplace. This is a message that continues to be at the forefront of my conversations with business leaders across the region. Hardy Signs has been able to utilise our links with Burton & South Derbyshire College and the Hardy Signs Academy that was established there in 2016. Today, we have four full time employees who have come through that apprenticeship scheme and we regularly welcome learners to carry out work experience and industry placements with us. It is important to me that the positive stories
and successes that we experience in business do not go unnoticed. Positivity breeds success and I would encourage everyone to take the time to embrace this and to reach out to your Chamber representative to explore opportunities to celebrate your successes with your fellow businesses - here’s to a positive 2020.
he turn of the year marked 18 months as president of the Burton & District division for me and, looking ahead to 2020, I am
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