CBI head joins local businesses to map out road to economic growth

17 November 2011

Business leaders in the East Midlands met with the head of the UK’s leading business lobbying organisation to discuss ways to boost growth, encourage investment and raise business confidence.

John Cridland, Director-General of the CBI held talks with local business leaders at a meeting hosted by law firm Browne Jacobson in Nottingham.

Representatives from the region’s financial and professional services, manufacturing & engineering, support services and public sector took the opportunity to hear first-hand about the CBI’s proposals to kick-start the UK economy which included the need for investment support for mid-sized companies, boosting exports and the need for stability in the Euro-Zone to boost weakening business confidence.

Local businesses used the opportunity to discuss their concerns over mounting red tape, changes to the business tax system and improving access to capital to fund long-term growth plans and boost youth employment levels.

William Colacicchi, Senior Partner at Browne Jacobson, commented:

“Our clients welcomed the opportunity to engage directly with the man responsible for representing business concerns at the highest level. The economy is in serious danger of stalling with the CBI forecasting UK growth to be just 0.2% in the first quarter of next year. The message from the region’s businesses was therefore clear - the government needs to do much more to create an environment that encourages and promotes investment, confidence and growth.”

Lucy Haynes, Regional Director of the CBI:

“We are very grateful to Browne Jacobson for providing the opportunity for John to hear the view from their clients in Nottingham. The discussion reinforced the need for CBI to keep pushing the Government for a “Plan A plus.” The group was also encouraged that the widening of the A453 had made the list of national infrastructure projects that the CBI is pressing the Chancellor to bring forward to stimulate the economy.”