Business Assembly will give region a stronger voice

"We’ve had really positive interest in the Assembly from employers – small and large."

Key figures in Coventry and Warwickshire from politics, business and education are being brought together to grow the regional economy and ensure the city’s and the county’s ties remain strong. 

Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce is creating a Business Assembly to help give the region a stronger voice at a national level, to campaign on issues that matter to the area and to support local authorities during the local government reorganisation process. 

The first event was held at Ansty Hall Hotel and saw around 30 leaders from the region present, with dozens more showing an interest in the group. 

The Chamber shared a draft of a new Business Manifesto it has created in conjunction with think-tank Centre for the New Midlands for feedback. It includes information on the regional economy, its strengths and barriers to growth. 

The Manifesto sets out a range of aims and ambitions covering a range of topics such as employment land, skills and business support. 

Based on the feedback from the event, the Chamber and Centre for the New Midlands, which carried out survey work over several months earlier this year, will refine the document ready for a launch in the New Year. 

Corin Crane, chief executive of the Chamber, said: “We’ve been working on the Manifesto for months with a view to bringing leaders from the region together in this way. We’ve had really positive interest in the Assembly from employers – small and large – from across the region as well as our MPs and local authority colleagues. 

“It resulted in one of the most constructive and productive conversations I’ve been involved with and it was clear that everyone – no matter whether they are from business or politics – have the best interests of this region at heart. 

“The feedback on our Manifesto was that we’d covered most of the issues that need addressing to get our economy growing but, based on the conversations, we’ll be adding in some additional priorities. 

“The room was full of great energy and we’re all looking forward to meeting again in the New Year when we can officially launch our Business Manifesto and Business Assembly.” 

Chris Smith, Founder and CEO of the Centre for the New Midlands, said: “As a Coventry headquartered organisation, we are delighted to be working with the Chamber on the development of its Business Manifesto because we believe that Coventry and Warwickshire has an enormous opportunity to shape its own future. 

“Our role as a non-partisan, independent think-tank is to bring robust evidence, fresh insight and the voice of local employers into the policy conversation. By working closely with the Chamber and engaging widely with businesses across the region, we’ve been able to build a clear picture of both the challenges and the opportunities that lie ahead. 

“This Manifesto is a vital step in ensuring that decisions about our economic future are grounded in real data, genuine collaboration and the ambition our sub-region deserves.”