Chamber global conference focuses on future of UK economy
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The North East Chamber attended the Global Annual Conference 2024 with the region’s business leaders to explore how Britain can boost sustainable economic growth at national and regional levels.
Organised by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), key speakers included shadow business and trade secretary Jonathan Reynolds, Lady Nicola Mendelsohn, CBE, head of global business group, Meta, Dame Amanda Blanc, DBE, CEO Aviva, and business and trade Secretary, Kemi Badenoch.
The theme for this year’s full day conference was The Future of the Economy, which explored the BCC’s five key challenges ahead of the general election: people and work; green innovation; global Britain; digital revolution; local economy of the future.
Shevaun Haviland, director general of the BCC, said: “Our plan is to build an economy that has the green transition at its core, with a workforce fit for the future, living in thriving local places and powered by businesses that are globally facing and digitally enabled.
“None of this is going to be easy, none of us can do it on our own, and it’s going to take time. That means we need a real partnership, one that is for that long-term.”
On the need for the next government to use the election as a reset moment, Shevaun said: “The only factor that matters, is what the government will do on day one – after six weeks of electioneering, businesses will be looking at the next government and who will be true to their word.
“Business wants a long-term sustainable economic growth plan, some call it an industrial strategy, call it what you like, but what we need is a plan for the next 10, 15, 20 years and beyond.”
She added: “Firms don’t want handouts they want government to create the right environment so they can thrive. Whoever wins, we are ready to lean in and help our new government power the economy.”
The conference was an opportunity for business leaders from across the UK, and the globe, to come together to discuss the key challenges to build a better future for business, the economy, and people in our local communities.
Throughout the day, delegates heard from notable business and public figures and engaged in thought-provoking discussion with colleagues from across the Chamber network.
A panel discussion on the future of work explored AI, digital change and employee wellbeing, and featured Rhiannon Bearne, deputy chief executive and assistant director of policy and representation at the North East Chamber.
Rhiannon said: “We represent over 2,000 businesses and employers right across the North East – from rural Northumberland to urban Teesside.
“A lot of what we talk about with our members are concerns around economic inclusion, we need to develop a more sophisticated kind of thinking about how economic and social issues work together.”
She added: “We talk about a North East which is not just stronger but fairer. Digital, work and wellbeing are great examples of this dynamic.
“The North East has one of the fastest growing digital clusters in the UK – that’s a huge opportunity to capitalise on. Digital is going to be a massive enabler and it is going to make great work better.”
Suzanne Hague, Principle Lecturer at Teesside University International Business School, attended the conference along with other North East business leaders.
Suzanne said: “Attending the BCC Global Annual Conference in London was a brilliant experience. The day brought business leaders together from the UK and around the world. Notable figures discussed some of the key challenges such as green innovation, global trade, and the digital revolution.
“Personally, it allowed me to build valuable connections and explore new opportunities, and the NECC played a pivotal role in facilitating introductions. I genuinely believe that as a North East business, attending such events is vital. It helps us keep up to date with global trends, whilst emphasising the need for thriving local economies.”
The full day conference took place on 27 June at the QEII Centre in London.