Business West: Election Response
“We congratulate the incoming Prime Minister and his government. We look forward to working with our newly elected Members of Parliament to make our region the best place to live, learn and work.
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“We congratulate the incoming Prime Minister and his government. We look forward to working with our newly elected Members of Parliament to make our region the best place to live, learn and work.
Every so often we like to shine the spotlight on our members, and in this case one of the members of the Bristol Initiative. We sat down with Susan Hamilton, CEO of St Peter's Hospice to talk about their life at St Peter's and their relationship with the Bristol Initiative.
Business needs far more life changers to ensure we have enthusiastic employees to boost our economy. I met some of these life changers last week, but they were not directors of a business. They are passionate members of the teaching team at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College, which was recently recognised by Ofsted for playing a significant role in developing the region’s skills economy.
Business West’s latest Quarterly Economic Survey (QES), which polls businesses across the South West, reveals 69% reported difficulties in recruitment, particularly for skilled manual/technical and professional/managerial roles. Despite this, 79% of respondents are looking to recruit full-time positions and 49% for permanent positions.
We’ve been talking about our preparations for the launch of Genesis for the last few months… Working with the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Training with Preferential Rules of Origin expert Frank Bertens from the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce Trips to the ICC in Paris for our team to learn about the intricacies of Free Trade Agreements and rules of origin… It’s been fun! And now we are here…the launch day of Genesis. Genesis is a new digital trade tool for verifying and certifying preferential origin declarations made by exporters within the framework of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). It aims to reduce importers' risk of mistakes, fraud, and fines, facilitate smoother customs checks of origin declarations, and simplify customs control procedures.
In just a few days' time, we will have a new government, and businesses look forward to a new chapter of support from Whitehall with a clear plan. Our region has seen a lack of investment in skills and in addressing core issues like transportation and housing. Tackling these issues, most of which are interlinked, requires serious investment that lasts beyond one political cycle. Realistically, it will be very difficult for businesses to see any immediate benefits from the new government. They simply want a clear plan for growth and encouragement to invest. I talk to a lot of businesses, and they consistently express a desire for stability so they can gain the confidence needed to make investments that will grow their companies and the regional economy.
June has been the celebration of Pride Month, bringing with it an historical significance, celebration, reflection and joy.
Last night, the Bristol Initiative held our June Quarterly Members’ Meeting at the Bristol Beacon, focusing on key issues and future plans for our city. Cllr Tony Dyer, Bristol City Council’s newly elected Leader, was the keynote speaker. Members also heard from Bristol Initiative leaders Victoria Matthews and Jenny Ablett, and Louise Mitchell CBE, CEO of the Bristol Beacon.
International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) was first launched by the Women’s Engineering Society (WES) as a national initiative. After year-by-year growth the day has reached global audiences and achieved UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) patronage.