COMMENT
THE LAST WORD
DAWN EDWARDS, Chamber President, on the issues that are worth talking about So, on behalf of the Chamber and its members,
LOCKDOWN CONTINUES TO BITE Although the Government had softened its stance towards the coronavirus lockdown slightly at the time of writing this column, the restrictions were still in place meaning the doors of many businesses across the region remained closed. However, it’s been inspiring to see the way
some businesses have risen to the challenges that have been presented by Covid-19. Once again, many Chamber members have
responded with innovation and positivity to the ongoing situation, by launching new products, helping support our key workers and vulnerable members of society, or just keeping their employees connected and engaged. A lot of these stories have been celebrated in
these pages and via the Chamber’s online ‘East Midlands Coming Together Hub’. We really are in this together and when this is
all over, while the economy may not look like it did before, we can look back with immense pride at the way that local businesses rose to the challenge and helped each other get through this time of crisis.
CELEBRATING OUR UNSUNG HEROES As the focus feature of this issue points out, there is an army of unsung business heroes across the region which quietly go about their business carrying out the vital tasks that all organisations need to function properly. Often, their contribution is unrecognised and
underappreciated because much of their work is behind the scenes and maybe not as glamourous as some of the things that businesses are famed for. However, they are the vital cogs that help the
big wheels of industry to turn and their efforts should be commended. As a business owner myself, I know first-hand
the challenges of leading an organisation and planning for the future. Leading a business can be lonely, and I’m so very grateful to have a strong support network around me. Without it I am sure the business wouldn't be what it is today. The generosity of time and spirit between the
business communities in the East Midlands has been palpable over the past few months, and I am certain this support will continue to play a vital role in the recovery and ensure we emerge stronger than ever.
70 business network June/July 2020
I’d like to applaud our unsung business heroes for the amazing job.
ENHANCING OUR COMMUNITIES While the Chamber is primarily a business support organisation, it places great focus on engaging with and enhancing the diverse range of communities across the East Midlands. The need to do this has never been more
important than it is at the current time. Our Policy Team’s assessment of the potential
ways many of our communities may be impacted over the longer term by the coronavirus pandemic makes for stark reading. Due to our region’s high proportion of workers
in the manufacturing, leisure and hospitality sectors, our exposure to these economic shocks may be worse than other regions. We are already seeing some of the region’s
biggest employers cutting jobs and, sadly, some Chamber members are reporting difficulties and potential insolvencies. Question marks also hang over what the future
funding landscape might look like. But there is room for optimism. It is hoped that the recovery will be relatively
swift in historic terms. It will give businesses the opportunity to
reshape the economy for the better. Automation, advanced logistics and
manufacturing, and clean technologies will come
further to the fore, and all will require an upskilling of the workforce as a result. While for the long-term, the region’s prospects
remain strong, in the short- and medium-terms there will be challenges for the community agenda that will need to be responded to. The Chamber’s vision, ‘To Enhance East
Midlands Businesses and Communities’, will never have been more relevant.
DON’T FORGET THE QUEEN’S AWARDS The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are now open for entries and you can find out on page 22 all about how you can apply. These highly prestigious annual awards provide
a hallmark of quality for any business that receives one, and it was good to see several Chamber members among the winners this year. However, as in previous years, the overall
number of winners across the East Midlands was low when compared with other regions, which is very surprising given the range of amazing businesses that call the East Midlands home. That’s why the Chamber is once again working
with the Lieutenancy Offices in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire to encourage more applications from local companies this year. It’s free to enter and by winning an award, you
will be joining an exclusive group of businesses which have proven themselves worthy of such an honour. I’d urge as many Chamber members as possible to enter this year.
The Queen's Awards are the highest official accolade a business can receive
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