Chamber members told North East has potential to drive industrial strategy
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A keynote speaker highlighted the region’s significant potential to drive the government’s industrial strategy forward at a Chamber event.
Speaking at our 1815 Dinner, Iain Anderson, executive chairman of H/Advisors Cicero, emphasised future opportunities for strategic partnerships, inward investment and the region’s ability to capitalise on its unique strengths.
Iain said: “Every single one of the eight sectors that government is going to focus on in terms of the industrial strategy, including green energy, advanced manufacturing, technology and digital, and life sciences – they’re all here in the North East.
“There’s huge potential for partnerships and inward investment in the region. That could be incredibly powerful.”
In his recent report on government and business partnership, Iain stressed the need for government to lobby further for those beyond the M25, and to allow more risk into the system to create further investment opportunities.
He said: “76 per cent of this parliament have majorities of less than 10,000. I think there’s something to work with there. A chance for parliament to be more local and more effective for those beyond the M25 than ever before.
“I’m keen for government to show the investment plan for the UK and I would say to every business keep the ideas flooding into Whitehall and Westminster. For the northern regions this government is a lot more receptive – keep at it.”
Iain, who has been involved in the British Chambers of Commerce’s Workplace Equity Commission, added: “The challenge for us all running businesses going forward is how you can be long term when all the demands are so short term.”
Addressing the US election, Iain speculated on President-elect Trump’s potential policy directions, including industrial strategy reforms and transatlantic trade opportunities.
“Trump likes the UK, maybe there’s something to tap into there,” he said, while stressing the need for the UK to prioritise its national interest. Iain added: “How that gets defined between us and the US is going to be fascinating.”
On trade between the US and Europe, Iain said: “We have a government that wants a constructive relationship with the European Union. If we construct our thinking and our strategy correctly, there’s a possibility for Britain to be a bridge in the relationship with the US. I think our industrial strategy is key to that.”
The event was sponsored by Cross Country Trains. Lorna Ogilvie, head of business sales at Arriva UK Trains, said regardless of changes for the rail industry brought about by the general election, it’s very much about “continuing to focus on delivering for customers, communities and the taxpayer” while rail reforms are being implemented.
Lorna said: “We’re investing in our fleet, products and staff, including refurbishing 58 voyager trains. We’re improving the total customer experience.
“We’ve also recently announced the launch of a direct service between Edinburgh and Cardiff, connecting all three nations on one service for the first time. So, a lot to look forward to and we’re excited to see what 2025 brings.”
Bringing the event to a close, Jon Ridley, principal at Chamber large business associate sponsor Newcastle College, said: “At Newcastle College we train 13,000 students every year, the majority of which will stay here and seek work in the region.
“We develop talent and that can’t be done alone. Talking to you about what you need to make your businesses thrive is how we design our programme. Working together we can help the region thrive.”
The 1815 Dinner took place at The Biscuit Factory in Newcastle on 26 November and brought together around 150 senior leaders, from the largest and most influential businesses across the North East.
Image caption: (l-r) Jon Ridley, principal at Chamber large business associate sponsor Newcastle College; Deb Walton, Chamber president and CFO at Palintest; Iain Anderson, executive chairman of H/Advisors Cicero; Lorna Ogilvie, head of business sales at Arriva UK Trains; Tony Lewin, executive principal at NCG.