State of the Region: Reasons to be cheerful
CORPORATE deal activity, job creation, technology, major events in the region and improving consumer confidence are among a number of reasons to be cheerful, according to company bosses.
During a round-table discussion on the findings of TheBusinessDesk.com’s annual State of the Region survey – which revealed an uptick in confidence among respondents – senior executives from some of the North West’s top companies were posoitive too.
Tim Kowalski, finance director of listed home shopping and education supply group Findel, said as well as consumer confidence improving, the lending environment was showing more promise too.
“People may not have more money in their pockets, but they are more confident and more optimistic – there are more ‘good news stories’ around in the media too, which is having an impact too.
“In banking I’ve noticed a chink in the door in terms of their appetite to lend – we’ve just asked for something and it’s gone straight through. Our view of 2014 is that it will be steady growth, nothing flashy.”
For Phil Jones, UK managing director of Brother, the multinational technology company, the impact of new innovations, and “disruptive businesses” is a cause for excitement in 2014.
He said: “Disruptive times ignite disruptive people, which sparks ideas and change. That is a good thing.”
Damian Waters, regional director of CBI said his members were feeling more positive too. “One company executive said to me a couple of years ago: ‘We’ll know we’re through the recession when we’re not passing-up opportunities any more’. I saw him the other week, and he’s doing a deal.”
Mike Blackburn, regional director of BT and chair of the Greater Manchester LEP said: “Actions not rhetoric is encouraging, and I think we’ll see some exciting things this year.”
After a challenging few years for his sector, manufacturing, Dr Martin Ashcroft managing director of Tata Chemicals Europe, said 2014 would be a year to “look at opportunities rather than fight fires internally.”
Ben Miller, Liverpool office managing partner at law firm DLA Piper, sponsor of the State of the Region survey said: “There are many reasons to be cheerful – with increased business confidence, growing profits, improved sales and orders, the next 12 months is looking promising for North West businesses.
“These positive signs are also being reflected through a renewed appetite for recruitment and an increased drive for international exporting and investment.
“2014 will also see The International Festival for Business take place in Liverpool. The festival is an opportunity for the city and the region to showcase itself to decision makers from important markets, both established and up and coming. In particular, this is a chance to showcase internationally that Liverpool and the North West are world class destinations in terms of the business economy.”
