Business organisations mount united front on Industrial Strategy

Three key business organisations in Coventry and Warwickshire have joined forces to allow the region’s firms to feedback to Government on its Industrial Strategy.

The Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership Growth Hub has initiated a survey, together with the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), to get the views of companies from across the city and the county.

The partners want to ensure that the strategy can help to reinforce the region’s ambition to improve living standards, improve productivity and drive economic growth.

Craig Humphrey, managing director of the CWLEP Growth Hub, said by joining forces it would send a clear message to Government in what businesses in Coventry and Warwickshire wanted from the Industrial Strategy.

He said: “The consultation offers us an opportunity to stand together and influence the strategy to ensure the best possible future for our businesses in areas such as skills, infrastructure, support and finance that are core elements to ensure Coventry and Warwickshire’s growth and prosperous future.

“I’m pleased that we have the opportunity to join forces and resources with our partners at the chamber and FSB to get a strong picture together and achieve a solid representation in front of national government.

“We are confident that businesses will recognise the relevance of the Industrial Strategy and make use of the opportunity to influence the key decision makers by taking part in the local consultation.”

Louise Bennett, chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said her organisation conducted a Quarterly Economic Survey in partnership with Warwickshire County Council and such barometers were important if the county was to assess its economic progress.

Paul Miles Rogers, chair of the Warwickshire & Coventry Federation of Small Businesses, said the Industrial Strategy was the start of an economic blueprint for the UK, and it included elements of a locally-driven approach aimed at improving skills, infrastructure delivery, connectivity and public procurement.

“It is vital therefore that the views of business from our region are considered. FSB urge businesses, both big and small, and those from all business sectors to respond to the consultation,” he said.

 The local consultation ends on February 28.