Devolution demands: Paul Pinder, BoardsDirect.co.uk

Paul Pinder, Director of BoardsDirect.co.uk, which specialises in visual display products, says that the East Midlands should be playing to its strengths.

“The opportunity for the North Midlands counties of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire is significant, and must be seized. An ability to control and direct a large chunk of its budget independently allows choices that were previously driven by priorities far removed from the region itself. From a business point of view, the funding should support the existing strengths of the region; manufacturing heritage, geographical links and a flexible workforce.

“The strategic relevance of East Midlands Airport, with its importance as a freight hub should be capitalised on, and so infrastructure projects to strengthen this, a tram link for example, need to be funded. SME support is also essential, and I would urge the new authority to aim to make the North Midlands the UK capital for free enterprise by allowing low cost entry as a new business. Finally, skills support and development is crucial. Incentives for resurgence in manufacturing and engineering need to begin now if these areas are to develop over the next twenty years. Inevitably, the region will need to embrace the concept of an elected mayor, and I see this as positive in order to raise the profile further.”