Even last year as the A47 Alliance, which includes Norfolk Chamber, discussed Norfolk’s road priorities now that the A11 is being dualled, improvements to the A47 felt very much like just a hope.
However, the Chamber business community, as always born optimists, have continued to lobby our local MPs, Government Ministers through the British Chamber of Commerce and really anyone who would listen to us.
The turning point when hope turned into a possibility was the report which the Norfolk Chamber members fed into, which quantified the economic impact the improvements to the A47 would bring.
The Gateway to Growth campaign to secure A47 upgrades identified that these could generate nearly 100,000 jobs, add £390m to the region’s economy and attract £800m of private investment. It was at that point that all the good work by the EDP, our MPs and the Norfolk business community started to impact on the Transport Minister Stephen Hammond.
We are told that no decision will be made until after the spending review in June so we need to ensure that we maintain the pressure on the Government in anyway we can. This includes lobbying Ministers both in Westminster and more importantly when they visit Norfolk. Vince Cable MP is due in Norfolk tomorrow and it is essential when he leaves Norfolk that he has a clear understanding from the business community that improvements to the A47 are no longer a ‘nice to have’ but are necessary for Norfolk to achieve its economic growth potential.
Planning ministers always get a rough ride. If they’re not being barracked by the business community for the slowness of the planning process, or by the construction sector for the lack of develop-able land, they can be guaranteed a tough time from serial objectors to development and progress.
From a business perspective, Nick Boles, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Planning, has had the courage to do three things. First, he has boldly said that we need to develop a small amount of additional land in England if we are to be able to build vibrant communities, expand dynamic businesses, and house future generations. In a country where less than 3 per cent of land actually contains buildings, and where only 9 per cent is considered urban, harsh constraints on land use are only making it tougher to create the jobs and homes we need.
Second, Mr Boles has committed to making planning reforms work on the ground. Far too often, we in business have heard warm words on this issue, only for local bureaucracy and yes, NIMBYism, stifle any meaningful change.
And third, Mr Boles has put principle ahead of politics. Unlike so many across the political spectrum, he is forcing England to debate tough and sometimes unpalatable issues that are essential to our future economic prosperity and well-being.
Let me be clear. I have unresolved doubts about the mortgage market proposals made by the government in the Chancellor’s recent Budget. I’m not entirely convinced by use-class changes that could starve many towns and cities of commercial and industrial sites in favour of residential. And like others, I would be keen to see brownfield sites used before greenfield, wherever this is economically viable (sometimes, objectors to greenfield development have to realize it isn’t).
Yet when it comes to the planning system, the evidence from the business community and from individuals struggling to find housing, whether rented or owned, is clear. Planning liberalisation is one of the few supply-side tools that the government can use to spur both confidence and economic activity. Mr Boles would do well to keep his hard hat on, and use this tool – knowing he has the full support of the business community.
I have been invited to attend a workshop on 30 April at BIS Conference Centre in London to discuss the design and delivery of a new strategy for business support in England.
It would be great for as many businesses as possible to feed back to me what is currently working for them as far as accessing business advise and what they would like changed, for me to take to this meeting. Norfolk Chamber is currently working on enhancing its knowledge section within our website and will be starting a series of topical workshops for our members very shortly, so this feedback would also help us meet your requirements.
The background for the meeting as given by BIS is a follows.
The business support landscape has undergone a radical transformation over the last two years, following the implementation of the strategy set out in January 2011 in Mark Prisk’s policy statement “Bigger Better Business”.
More recently, at and around the recent Budget the Government made a number of announcements on support for small businesses that centre on enabling firms to navigate the vibrant, dynamic market of support to business help available.
At a local level, through a single efficient signposting service developed through LEPs, run by local organisations bringing together national, local private and public support.
On the internet through a new private sector led online market place that will deliver a new Growth Voucher programme
Via the Business Bank, which will include a programme of work to bring together high growth and specialist government advice schemes and create a single customer interface.
BIS plan to publish a refreshed strategy later in the year and have asked for Norfolk Chamber members’ support in doing so.
The aims of the BIS workshop is to:
Co-design and create a strong system for business advice, that is easy for businesses to navigate and ensures co-ordination between programmes of national importance and local schemes
Explore how together we can join up, including with the private sector, to stimulate demand for business advice, promoting the benefits and encourage small businesses to act in their own interest and make better use of the help available
If you were sitting at the meeting what would you say? Please let me know through our LinkedIn discussion or via email to me cw@norfolkchamber.co.uk
The government is working to boost economic activity across the UK, ensuring that towns, cities and regions across the country can begin to benefit from the opportunities of leaving the EU. As part of this work, they aims to create up to 10 Freeports in locations across the UK.
The government wants to establish Freeports, which have different customs rules than the rest of the country, that are innovative hubs, boost global trade, attract inward investment and increase productivity. In doing so, they want Freeports to generate employment opportunities to the benefit of some of the most deprived communities around the UK.
The government has the following objectives for UK Freeports:
Establish Freeports as national hubs for global trade and investment across the UK.
Promote regeneration and job creation.
Create hotbeds for innovation.
The government has drawn on evidence from successful Freeports around the world to develop a UK Freeport model. The proposed model includes tariff flexibility, customs facilitations and tax measures. We are also considering planning reforms, additional targeted funding for infrastructure improvements, and measures to incentivise innovation.
To support this work, the Department of International Trade are running a formal consultation to understand your thoughts on the UK’s plans for Freeports. They aim to feed your views into the policy development process.
They want all the nations of the UK to be able to share in the benefits of Freeports. As such, they intend to work with the Devolved Administrations to develop proposals that would enable the creation of Freeports in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, in addition to those in England.
So take part in the consultation today, share your views and have an impact on the development process for this exciting opportunity for the UK. Please see the PDF below for the official Freeports Consultation document from the Department of International Trade.
Successful Norfolk entrepreneur Chris Sargisson commences his new role as Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce today, Monday 12 June.
Chris was educated in Norwich and lives in the city with his wife and two children. He worked in the 1990s shaping Norwich Union Direct before leaving to set up and launch its4me plc, one of the UK’s most successful online car insurance brokers and major Norwich employer. Chris also created House Revolution, one of the UK’s first online estate agencies, alongside running his own business consultancy practice which has helped organisations of all sizes across the UK.
The new Chamber Chief Executive will be attending many of the key Chamber networking events in the coming months, so there will have plenty of opportunities to meet with Chamber members.
Upon starting the role, Chris said:
“To represent the many Norfolk businesses that form the Chamber membership is incredibly exciting. I’m extremely honoured to have been given this opportunity and genuinely looking forward to using my entrepreneurial business experiences to support, develop and build upon the already outstanding hard work and successes of the chamber team.”
“To create a truly sustainable economy, growth needs to be linked to positive impacts upon the environment and resources used, not only effectively but also intelligently” This statement from the New Anglia LEP Green Economy Pathfinder manifesto is difficult to argue with it.
So why in the past has adopting sustainable business practices so often been viewed as a ‘nice to have’ or an ‘ideology’. In 2013 this simply is not the case. Sustainability is now seen as an efficiency driver, especially when expertise is effectively shared and businesses collaborate. What is clear, is that if you want to save money and be more competitive, you have to engage with sustainability.
An effective transition to a sustainable economy will also boost economic recovery, create jobs, increase resource security and help make Norfolk more globally competitive. Significant population growth, greater resource constraints and other global mega-trends are challenging business models throughout the economy. The businesses that prepare for these events through innovation, communication and engagement will be the winners of the future.
The New Anglia Green Pathfinder report, relating to business resource efficiency, identified that low-cost and no-cost resource efficiency opportunities could generate savings of around £1.6bn in the New Anglia LEP area alone. So if you are a business who feels that you are missing out, how do you get involved?
As when looking at any business practice you can take advantage of the knowledge of businesses that have already taken up the challenge and can demonstrate that it has made a difference to their bottom line. For instance, local company Bernard Matthews and a keynote speaker at our sustainability conference next week is fast becoming one of the UK’s leading energy neutral businesses thanks to a broad range of green initiatives. Local companies Greenright Homes and Muntons have both delivered real returns from embracing new technologies.
The government has recognized the need to support businesses in this area and there are currently opportunities to secure loans and grants to assist your businesses embrace new low carbon technologies.
There is no doubt that sustainability is a key factor in running a successful business. Business leaders that rise to the challenge and lead the way in the development of low-carbon goods and services will help define the future success of the UK economy.
Norfolk has some of the UK’s most dynamic, innovative and sustainable businesses which are leading the way and it is important that all businesses review how they can embrace this agenda.
I believe Mark Pendlington Group Director Anglian Water Group, who is also presenting at our sustainability conference on 9 May , sums it up well “Business leaders that rise to the challenge and lead the way in the development of low-carbon goods and services will help define the future success of the UK economy.”
In these challenging economic times being resource efficient becomes increasingly important and so I would encourage all businesses to find out more, as being sustainable could really help your bottom line.
Commenting on the High Court’s judgement on the judicial review of the Airports National Policy Statement, BCC Director General Dr Adam Marshall said:
“Business communities across the UK will be bitterly disappointed that plans for a world-leading hub airport are now at risk.
“Without expansion, firms risk losing crucial regional connectivity and access to key markets across the world.
“The benefits of a third runway would extend far beyond south-east England. Hundreds of UK companies are already invested in the supply chain for expansion, and tens of thousands of additional jobs will be created if the project goes ahead.
“Heathrow and the wider aviation sector have set ambitious emissions targets, and like every industry, must continue to become greener. Britain’s future depends on investment in a modern, integrated, low-carbon transport infrastructure that keeps trade flowing while minimising environmental impacts.
“There has never been a more important time to demonstrate that Britain is open for business. The government must back Heathrow expansion unequivocally and take all necessary steps to finally move the project forward.”
We talk about passion a great deal at the Chamber. I strongly believe it is passion that keeps the business community motivated as we face ever increasing challenges. The responsibility of running a business is pretty mind boggling at times. Not only are we responsible for the staff we employ, but we also have a responsibility to our suppliers who rely on our business and to our customers as part of their supply chain.
As the economists get their heads around why, when the country is employing more people, the economy is still not growing, it is up to the Norfolk business community to get our heads around what will help us grow the Norfolk economy and as a result our own businesses.
There are actions we take on a daily basis as an individual business to develop our organisations and you only have to ask a business person to talk about their business to see their eyes light up and their passion. What is less understood is a business person’s passion for their local area.
I can identify recent examples which demonstrate just this. Last Thursday our local MPs held an East Anglian Rail Summit in Westminster with the Rail Minister Simon Burns MP. I had a significant list of businesses willing to give their time and come with me to represent the wider Norfolk business community and ensure the Norfolk business opinion was taken into account.
Although there was in my opinion, too many ‘jam tomorrow’ statements from the Minister, Norfolk Chamber members were able to reiterate that the rail improvements are not only about an improved rail passenger experience but also about business growth and jobs.
I am back in Westminster this week with a different set of businesses as part of delegation led by Norfolk Chamber to meet with the Energy Minister John Hayes MP. The passion of the energy sector and the supply chain opportunities they give Norfolk are significant and we need to influence his decisions on a number of issues affecting this sector.
My last example relates to the launch of the important Norwich for Jobs campaign, led by Chloe Smith MP, to get more of our young people into jobs. I took the opportunity of this high profile campaign to capture information from the Norfolk Chamber members as part of our ‘Unlocking the Potential of Norfolk’s young people’ activity. I received feedback from over 120 individual businesses in less than 48 hours – who says business people are not passionate and engaged. Later this week 150 businesses, schools and public sector partners are giving their time to attend our MPs event to help find solutions as to how to help develop our young people into quality employees of the future.
Yes as a community we are very busy keeping our businesses moving forward; yes we often have a short attention span for what we see as public sector procrastination; however, as a Norfolk business community, we have a passion for our local area and want to make a difference.
Did you know children’s careers ambitions are already limited by the age of seven?! The BBC covered a recent report from the OECD, where the company’s director, Andreas Schleicher, said how “talent is being wasted” because of ingrained stereotyping about social background, gender and race.
The Norwich Opportunity Area has launched a new campaign called #fromNorwich, designed to help inform aspirations about what’s possible!
There is a significant bank of research about the importance of having conversations about different sorts of jobs from an early age. Children form stereotypes about certain careers and job roles in primary school based on the world around them and who they know.
The NOA are calling on Norfolk businesses to make sure their future workforce are excited and inspired by the various jobs available in our area throughout their education journey – get involved in the #fromNorwich campaign by adding your own clips to the project!
Adults – record yourself saying: “When I was younger I wanted to be a … Now I am a …”
Children – record yourself saying: “When I grow up I want to be a…”
Or why not do it together?
Simply upload your clip to Instagram or Twitter and tag @fromNorwich to share your story!
More companies are exporting – and to the fastest-growing markets. But targeted support will more than pay for itself by connecting businesses to new growth opportunities in some of the world’s biggest economies.
Last week, the British Chambers of Commerce published the first of three reports on the state of the export economy Exporting is Good for Britain But….Market Barriers Stifle Opportunities. The report draws on the findings of their annual international trade survey – the largest of its kind in the UK with well over 4,600 responses including many Norfolk exporters.
The aim is to go beyond the dry and volatile statistics of official trade data to engage with the experience of businesses in the real world: are they actively exporting, and if so – to where? What are their aspirations? What do they feel about particular markets? What are the major opportunities and challenges they face?
The results show that Chamber members continue to grow more export-oriented, with 39% actively trading into overseas markets compared to 32% in 2012. And while the EU remains the most popular market, both for current and ‘potential exporters’, more member businesses now trade with the Middle East and Africa than with North America (57% versus 47%). This is likely to reflect two things: the solid growth performance of economies like the UAE and Qatar with their demand for oil and gas equipment, infrastructure and construction expertise (all big areas of strength for UK exports); and the role of the Arabian peninsula as a globally-important transhipment hub.
But for me, the most striking finding of this report relates to how businesses view the fastest-growing markets. The conventional wisdom is that the UK as a whole needs to re-orient its export activity towards fast-growing economies like Brazil, India, China and South Africa (the so-called ‘BRICS’). But what do businesses themselves feel about these markets? Exporters that have entered these markets are confident in their ability to expand sales there and view them as their top prospects for growth. The positive experience of companies that have made the leap into these markets hints at the huge potential for the UK to grow its export base if the support is there to help them connect to these markets.
So what do we need to do? Whenever I talk to exporters thinking about entering these kind of markets for the first time the strong feedback, particularly from small and medium businesses, is: solid leads on contract opportunities would give the juiciest incentive to commit. That’s why the Chamber welcomed the Government’s ambition to develop the network of British Chambers and other business groups overseas, initially in 20 priority markets, as a practical platform for exporters to access new markets.
This programme must now be implemented and at scale: as in Germany, France and other developed nations, supporting a firm two-way trading link between UK and overseas Chambers would enhance the future export competitiveness of the UK. Greater access to trade shows and increased funding of UK pavilions at key trade fairs must also be prioritised.
I had a great day yesterday meeting up with fellow business leaders from many Chambers as the British Chambers of Commerce celebrated its Annual General Meeting, as well as the Parliamentary launch of Chamber’s ‘Business is Good for Britain‘ campaign. It was really good to see the Chamber network out in force and influencing government actually inside Westminster.
The launch was attended by, amongst others, Communities Secretary Eric Pickles, Business Minister Mark Prisk both of whom I managed to engage in a short conversation to put forward Norfolk’s case for investment. Also there supporting us was Brandon Lewis MP, amongst a range of other MPs and peers, despite the fact that it clashed with a hastily-arranged debate on how to investigate the recent scandals that have rocked both business and public confidence in the banking sector.
We now have the backing of over 30 MPs for an Early Day Motion in support of the ‘Business is Good for Britain’ campaign, and that support is growing day by day, thanks to cross-party leadership by friendly MPs and efforts nationwide to get local politicians to sign on. I am hoping that all our local MPs will sign up soon to show that they believe that ‘Business is Good for Norfolk’ too!
As noted at both the Parliamentary event and at the BCC’s Summer Reception, critical decisions are needed over the coming months to create the sort of enterprise-friendly environment we need to enable business growth for years to come. The Chamber Network will continue to put forward bold and imaginative proposals on business finance, infrastructure, and ways to boost international trade. And as Sir John Peace, chairman of Standard Chartered, Burberry and Experian noted in his address to reception attendees, the Chamber Network will also focus together on youth employment and the development of tomorrow’s workforce.
You may have also noticed yesterday that I have finally got the ‘twitter bug’ so please do follow me to make it all worthwhile! @nccCaroline
Caroline Williams with John Longworth, Director General of the British Chamber of Commerce
I was recently asked the question: How much do businesses need Europe? The feedback I received from our members was loud and clear. Europe is a very important trading market to a large number of significant employers in Norfolk.
Europe represents a large market opportunity and business potential of any company based in the UK. Over 50% of exports from the UK go to EU and in this region, it is even more significant, with 60% of our exports bound for the EU.
With 500 million people, Europe is a large internal market for business. There is the ability to move goods and services as freely from Norwich to Berlin as from Norwich to Leeds.
The absence of tariffs and administrative barriers has helped Norfolk businesses enjoy the sort of freedom that firms in other free trade areas enjoy. A quote from one of our Norwich member reflects much of the feedback we received: “The thought of a divided Europe with the associated export and legal requirements is like a doomsday scenario”
The EU provides businesses with access to new markets, a wider pool of labour and very importantly suppliers. In many instances this has led to lower costs making products more competitive not just in Europe but domestically and to other overseas markets.
Europe is seen as having a ‘low barrier to entry’ for companies looking to grow their market overseas for the first time. As the UK market continues to be challenging local businesses are looking to grow their business internationally. The comparative ease of trading with Europe is seen as a good first step before tackling the more challenging lucrative markets such as Brazil and China.
The U.S., Japan and India are in the process of agreeing free-trade agreements with the EU. Whilst the UK has 60 million people and is an important market for them, they are more interested in the 500 million EU market. Working together as a single market does give us stronger negotiating powers.
Norfolk is increasingly attracting investment into local companies with one of their objectives being to access the single market. Would this continue if we were not part of Europe?
However it is not all sunshine and roses. With 400 new laws being passed by the EU since the Coalition came to power at a cost to taxpayer and businesses of £700m, change needs to happen, particularly relating to Employment Law and Health & Safely directives.
Business wants to see is a level playing field especially relating to Compliance. Often what the UK interprets as ‘Rules’ the southern and eastern European countries interpret as ‘Guidelines’. We need more decisions made in Westminster not Brussels. We need the protectionism against our service providers occurring within some Member States recognised and stopped.
The consensus from Norfolk Chamber business members were that being part of the EU was very important as a trading single market but changes do need to be made.