Three regional business brains have outlined what East Midlands businesses want over the next 12 months from government and policy makers.

Coming together at the East Midlands Chamber's State of the Economy Conference, Charles Nicholds - Managing Director at Murphy and Sons, Professor Mat Hughes - Dean of Research and Enterprise of the University of Leicester School of Business and Sarah Loates - Director of Loates Business Solutions Ltd, led The Big Conversation: What Businesses Want From The Next 12 Months.

Addressing the uncertainty prior to and in the aftermath of the general election, current economic challenges and the recent budget, and the mixed picture in terms of local government structure in the East Midlands, the panellists spoke about their own experience as well as offering insight from their industries and specialist areas. 

The six key asks that came out of the panel discussion are:

• A clear, unified voice to Treasury from East Midlands
• Stability after the recent budget
• Clarity on growth incentives and entrepreneurship support
• More detail around plans for apprenticeship levy and skills levy
• Support to build resilience and adaptation in face of external factors
• Simplified access to grants and funding for SMEs

The panel and delegates were in agreement that all six points would improve the region’s productivity and profitability.

Chairing the discussion, Mark Deakin - Director Cost Management at Turner & Townsend and EMC board member, explained why one voice for the region is so important.

“Putting the Leicestershire element to one side, we've got a real good opportunity where we've got pretty much a flow of one party plus the APBG and one voice through Claire as our mayor, a boatload of MPs from the same party so in theory we should have a very clear voice," he said. 

“If we're very clear about our asks, we should be in a good place to be able to push the agenda very clearly and actually get a greater portion of help for our region’s businesses.” 

Panellists were also asked for their one piece of advice for government and policy makers this year. 

Sarah said: “Listen to feedback from businesses. Come to the conversations with open ears.”

Mat’s advice was: “Incentivise businesses to grow. Uncertainty is pretty much here to stay. The new normal is just a standard layer of uncertainty, so for me, the predominant thing would be to incentivise growth. 

“That's the first thing they need to think about.”

Charles added: "Simplify support. Running an SME, you don't always have the time necessary to look to where the grants and the funding and all the opportunities are there available for you. 

“So if it was simplified and we could have some support and help with where to look for it, then whatever they come up with, whatever the processes, we will know about it.” 

‍