Business urged to tell Government what support they need to "Go for Growth"

Businesses across Warwickshire have been urged to grasp the opportunity of Brexit to tell Government exactly what they need in order to grow.

The message came from former minister Michael Portillo, speaking at the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce’s annual economic conference at the Ricoh Arena where the theme was "Go For Growth."

Mr Portillo stressed his belief that the low pound, which has dipped in value since the referendum decision to leave the EU, should be a catalyst for firms to export.

And he urged the local business community to seize this moment to make it clear just what support they require to fully exploit that situation.

“Trade is the most important thing and this is the opportunity, through the Chamber, to tell the Government what you need practically to export more and to grow," Mr Portillo said.

“The Government is as desperate as you are that overseas trade should be a success and my advice would be to strike now.

“There is an opportunity to attract more business into this country because it is now a great deal cheaper than they would have ever imagined, so the 'Go For Growth' slogan for this conference is entirely appropriate.”

Mr Portillo's address to the conference was preceded by contributions by Marcus Jones MP and Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership chairman Jonathan Browning, who were interviewed by event facilitator Adam Dent, managing director of Advent Communications.

They discussed the region’s potential place in the West Midlands Combined Authority and the Midlands Engine and touched on the barriers to growth such as a lack of employment land and lower productivity.

Mark Berrisford-Smith, head of economics for HSBC Commercial Banking, predicted a slowdown in the UK economy as opposed to a recession. He also warned against placing too much expectation on the low pound leading to a major growth in exports because it didn’t happen the last time sterling fell.

The second half of the conference saw six panellists take to the stage to look at some of the barriers to growth in the region and how to overcome them.

Warwickshire County Council's Economy & Skills Group Manager Dave Ayton-Hill joined Jason Aldridge (Arrowsmith Engineering), Paul Noon (Coventry University Enterprises), David Burbidge (chair of Coventry’s UK City of Culture bid for 2021), Debbie Harper (HSBC) and Lee Rogers (Simplify IT) to discuss everything from apprenticeships to the image of the region.

Louise Bennett, chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said the conference had entertained and informed the 300 delegates from across the region.

“It was again a great conference," she said. "We all know that these are uncertain times for businesses across Coventry and Warwickshire on the back of Brexit, but our speakers helped to bring some clarity to the issues that we are all facing.

“I would personally like to thank all of the speakers, the sponsors and to those who attended for making such as successful event.”