Economic growth must benefit all communities, conference hears

"All the growth that we achieve has to support local people with the challenges they are facing.”

Coventry and Warwickshire can lead the way in ensuring economic growth benefits all communities across the region, a major conference has heard.

More than 250 businesspeople and decision-makers attended Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Business & Economic Conference at the Coventry Building Society Arena.

The conference theme of ‘Doing Business with Purpose’ shone through the event, from the opening address from Chamber chief executive Corin Crane through to a powerful keynote speech from broadcaster Clive Myrie.

Myrie praised Coventry and Warwickshire for its long-running leadership when it comes to diversity – from Lady Godiva through to 2Tone music – before talking about his own background and career.

Monica Fogarty, chief executive of Warwickshire County Council, and Julie Nugent, chief executive of Coventry City Council, described how the region is stronger when it works together. They outlined how that partnership will be even more crucial in the coming months and years to grow the economy and offer more opportunities to all in the city and county.

“These are challenging times and that’s why the relationship between the county of Warwickshire and the city of Coventry is so important,” said Monica. “It is great that it is currently stronger than ever.

“Despite the challenges, there has been positive news for our regional economy. For example, foreign direct investment into our area is up 24 per cent against a national average of four per cent. Coventry and Warwickshire is seen as a good place to invest and do business.

“We know our strengths and we have to play to them and that is why Warwickshire County Council is working with partners such as Coventry City Council and the WMCA to create thousands of jobs – highly skilled jobs – to deliver what our economy needs.

“We have to work in partnership, there is no other way we will secure the growth we need. The theme for this conference is ‘Doing Business With Purpose’ and that is exactly right. All the growth that we achieve has to support local people with the challenges they are facing.”

A panel session on the current economic climate was chaired by Margot James and heard from Steve Harcourt (Prime Accountants Group), Katie Trout (West Midlands Growth Company), Anna Bright (Sustainability West Midlands), Roger Scott (Lloyds Banking Group), and Carol Thomas (Coventry College), They talked about the challenges faced by businesses and also how the region’s economy can be driven forward in areas such as digitisation and sustainable innovation.

Fleur Sexton DL (PET-Xi) chaired a Future Fit Workforce panel with contributions from Annette Hay (Belgrade Theatre/DMU), Kevin Davis (The Vine Trust), Dr Isabella Moore (Olderpreneur Alliance) and Daveena Saranna (Electric Zoo). A series of Chamber partners exhibited at the event, including Aston University: Centre for Growth, West Midlands Trains, Destination Coventry, Transformation Space, WCG and Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training.

Corin said: “The speakers were great and our panel sessions were really thought-provoking. Doing Business With Purpose was our theme for the day and it’s something that is very close to my heart and, from what we heard, I believe Coventry and Warwickshire can really lead the way on ensuring business and economic growth benefits every community across our great city and county.”