VIDEO DEBATE: Tough decisions ahead for new enterprise bodies
A KEY challenge for Birmingham’s new Local Enterprise Partnership will be to make tough decisions on where to focus its efforts, according to some of those most closely involved with the plans.
A round-table discussion organised by TheBusinessDesk.com and regeneration specialists Willmott Dixon heard about the key choices facing the new LEP as participants grapple with how to allocate much-reduced resources to support the local economy.
David Hardman, chief executive of Birmingham Science Park Aston said the LEP had to address the issue of how best to support early stage businesses when the potential to create jobs immediately was relatively small.
He said: “Birmingham claims to be an entrepreneurial city, but what it actually has is a number of one and two person companies – and these don’t create many jobs. We’ve helped dozens of companies to get off the ground but the problem is finding the finance for them to move to the next stage.”
Chamber chief executive Jerry Blackett said: “We have to decide whther to wrap our arms around only high-growth business – or the rest of business as well.”
The discussion added with near-unanimity from the panel that individuals and businesses whould get involved with LEPs for their own sake and for the good of the region as a whole.
Small business owner Lee Kemp of Full Range films said: “This is the time to get involved. You have ot be in it to win it. There’s no point coming along in six months’ time because all the seats at the table will be taken.
“I’m content for more people in my industry to stay away, because it leaves more in it for me.”
Nick Gibb, pre-construction director at Willmott Dixon, said: “The key thing is that the business of the future isn’t just going to land at your door. You have to be investing in the future by getting involved in opportunities like this.”
John Morris of Birmingham Airpot said: “We will end up with the LEPs we deserve, so let’s make sure that we don’t have the same old usual suspects at the table. We need the new generation taking part in this.”
Mark Barrow, strategic director of development at Birmingham City Council said: “If we can hold together in a joint programme that is seamless, to the rest of the world that will give us a real competitive advantage.”
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