East Midlands “must hunt in a pack”, says Chamber president
The East Midlands needs to “get smarter” if it is to fulfil its potential as an ‘Engine for Growth’, according to the president of the East Midlands Chamber.
Speaking at the Chamber’s annual dinner at the Roundhouse in Derby, Jean Mountain said that the East Midlands has a key role to play in driving the UK’s economy.
In a passionate speech to an audience of over 500 business leaders, Fountain said: “We’re extremely fortunate to have such a broad-based and well-balanced regional economy, with real strengths in manufacturing and engineering; the service sector; and science and technology.
“Our key strengths lie in two key areas, here, we make things and we move things, which people around the world enjoy.
“This part of the country truly is the UK economy’s Engine for Growth, but as a region, we need to get much smarter in terms of the way we hunt as a pack for funding and resources, like they do in the West Midlands and the North East.
“The UK will thrive only if the Engine for Growth is firing on all cylinders, so it’s vital that politicians, policymakers and Parliamentarians always take into account the important role that this region plays in driving economic growth and job creation in the UK.”
Renowned explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes and Broxtowe MP Anna Soubry, Minister for Small Business, Industry and Enterprise, were the guest speakers at the event where fashion designer Paul Smith was awarded the Chamber’s Special Award for Outstanding Contribution to Business.
