COMMENT
THE LAST WORD
DAWN EDWARDS, Chamber President, on the issues that are worth talking about
CELEBRATING EAST MIDLANDS CULTURE AND COMMUNITIES It was my great pleasure to address guests at the recent inaugural Celebrating East Midlands Culture and Communities evening at Leicester City Football Club’s King Power Stadium. I knew it was going to be an exciting evening but
it managed to surpass even my high expectations – it was an event which saw a wonderful and vibrant mix of different sections of society all come together in a celebration which will live long in the memory. As people and businesses we are each unique, but collectively, we have so much to offer – this celebration being a perfect case in point. Last year the Chamber updated its corporate
vision from ‘Enhancing East Midlands businesses’ to ‘Enhancing East Midlands businesses and communities’ and this inaugural event was a great demonstration of how powerful it can be when we all come together – both as businesses, and communities. I want to say a big thank you to everyone –
from Chamber staff, valued sponsors, the extremely talented entertainment acts and individuals and of course everybody who attended for making this such a fantastic occasion. I am sure this Chamber-led event will go from strength to strength in the years to come.
GENERATION NEXT Last month was certainly one of new beginnings. As well as the inaugural event mentioned above, the Chamber also launched its new, innovative Generation Next network, designed to support our future leaders and showcase our region as one where individuals can thrive – both professionally and personally. Generation Next is all about building futures
and helping aspiring professionals thrive. We recognise the importance of developing the skills and knowledge that are needed to elevate our young professionals and help enable them to be the best versions of themselves, which in turn benefits our communities. The launch event saw over 100 people in
attendance who learned about the many exciting plans the network has for the future, with a number of taster events already planned for the next few weeks and months.
102 business network March 2020
The Chamber campaigned strongly for HS2
For more information on Generation Next, see
page 45 of this edition of Business Network or visit
bit.ly/ChamberGenerationNext
BUSINESS AWARDS Entries for the Business Awards are now open and I’m looking forward to hearing the amazing stories of the businesses and individuals who enter. There are few better nights in the region’s
business calendar than the three Business Awards gala dinners which take place across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire each September. In a fast-paced world, it’s so important to stop
the treadmill from time to time and both acknowledge and celebrate the fantastic work our businesses do and, of course, those working within our businesses. As the old saying goes, you have to be in it to
win it, so please take the time to enter.. Our application process has been streamlined too and is now more accessible and easier to use than ever and remember, success at our Business Awards could lead on to national recognition. The deadline for entries is midnight on Friday
15 May and you can find out more at www.emc-
dnl.co.uk/BusinessAwards.
HS2 I know the Chamber, alongside partners, has campaigned strongly for HS2 and the many benefits the project will bring to our region’s economy and the UK as a whole.
To this end, it was pleasing to see Government announce its intention to press ahead with the project following the recommendations from the independent Oakervee Review. I would though add my voice to that of many
others, including our Chief Executive Scott Knowles and British Chambers of Commerce Director General Adam Marshall, in calling for Government to be unequivocal in its commitment to ensuring all phases of HS2 are completed in their entirety. This is a once in a generation opportunity to
rebalance the UK’s economy and it is crucial that both the Midlands and the North are able to fully maximise and take advantage of the great opportunities that this critical infrastructure project represents.
ANNUAL DINNER And finally, I look forward to seeing many of you at the upcoming and eagerly anticipated Chamber Annual Dinner, which takes place at Colwick Hall in Nottinghamshire later this month. It will be an honour to address you all as
Chamber President. I know from various conversations down the years with former Chamber presidents that this is an evening that always ranks high in terms of presidential highlights and I am looking forward to welcoming Chamber members as we celebrate the strong business community here in the East Midlands. It’s set to be a night of fantastic
entertainment, great food, a fabulous setting and above all good company – what’s not to like!
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