InterBusiness AGM looks to the future for Bedfordshire and Luton
11/10/2006
Business people from across Bedfordshire and Luton met at Shuttleworth recently for the Annual General Meeting of InterBusiness Group, which comprises the Chamber, Business Link for Bedfordshire and Luton, Bedfordshire & Luton Enterprise Agency, BrightArc, Chamber Training and Chamber Technologies.
Richard Lacy, Chief Executive of InterBusiness Group, formally presented the group's results for the financial year ending 31 March 2006 before reviewing the outlook for the future. Examining the challenges facing Bedfordshire and Luton, Mr Lacy said that inadequate transport infrastructure, lack of skills and an outdated planning system continued to prevent the area from achieving its potential. Focussing on the importance of jobs to the local economy, he said:
'Job creation is at the very top of our agenda to ensure our local economy continues to thrive as we experience unprecedented population growth arising from our disproportionate share of the half a million new homes planned to be built in this region alone over the next 15 years. We will continue to tackle this challenge with a three-pronged approach: helping new businesses to start up; helping existing businesses to grow; and through facilitating inward investment.'
Mr Lacy concluded by encouraging the business community to talk to the Chamber.
'The Chamber has had a number of high-profile lobbying successes and now we want to seal our reputation as the authentic voice of business by engaging in the grassroots issues that affect businesses across all size bands and sectors. Enormous opportunities abound for local businesses but we need more input from the business community to ensure we have the clout necessary to change things. We need to better galvanise and harness the energy of businesses to influence local policies and local decision-making.'
The AGM's keynote address was made by David Frost, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). Mr Frost outlined the work carried out on behalf of the business community by the BCC and urged businesses to make the 'voice of wealth creation' heard by taking advantage of the influence of the Chamber and the wider Chamber of Commerce network. Mr Frost went on to give a BCC perspective on the economic situation in the UK, commenting that uninterrupted growth in every quarter since 1992 was a major UK economic achievement. However, he warned that with UK productivity remaining mediocre, UK businesses suffering from huge regulatory burdens and shortfalls in skills and infrastructure, there was significant room for improvement.
The AGM was followed by a networking buffet and an exhibition with stalls manned by Chamber members. Dave Fenlon, proprietor of specialist training provider MCT Services was one of the many Chamber members who attended the AGM. Commenting on the event he said:
'The venue was excellent and there was plenty of opportunity to network with old acquaintances and new faces. However the biggest benefit of attending the AGM for me was the chance to access senior people from the Chamber and BCC. I was able to share my views with them directly and get an immediate response.'
