Industrial Strategy On 23rd January NEN Chairman Graham Marley met with Angie Cannizzaro at BEIS to discuss the Industrial Strategy. During the meeting, he reiterated many of the comments made in NEN’s Industral Strategy response and particularly highlighted our concerns that support was required to all businesses. BEIS emphasised the fact that start-up/micro businesses are not […]
Industrial Strategy
On 23rd January NEN Chairman Graham Marley met with Angie Cannizzaro at BEIS to discuss the Industrial Strategy. During the meeting, he reiterated many of the comments made in NEN’s Industral Strategy response and particularly highlighted our concerns that support was required to all businesses. BEIS emphasised the fact that start-up/micro businesses are not intended to be excluded from the Strategy, and indeed there is a working group that is looking at the implications on SME’s. This includes a set of roundtables which are concluding in the South East this week. I asked whether NEN members could be invited and they have said they will copy us in on future dates. They talked about the benefit of mass market start-up support and again there was an understanding of the value of engaging businesses early on in their life cycle, as there is then an increased likelihood of taking further advice downstream.
Growth Hubs
Growth Hubs were also discussed and BEIS confirmed an announcement on further funding was imminent (in fact confirmation was received later that same day, but there is more detail to come on what will be delivered through Growth Hubs). They talked about the patchy nature of NEN member engagement with Growth Hubs, and Graham asked whether there was an improved policy of engagement across the country.
Loan finance
They also talked about our members that provide loan finance, and the need of the Responsible Finance sector. Again, there was an understanding of the market needs.
BEIS are developing some Business Basic services which will be trialled over the coming year. Generally these are low cost (to Government) exercises to improve/reduce red tape.
Productivity
The other big issue they touched on was productivity. We’re keen to understand how we could support a productivity drive, so if you would like to make some suggestions, do get in touch.
The future
This was the first meeting between NEN and BEIS for some time. And while there is still an emphasis on high growth/particular sectors, Graham took some comfort from the discussions. They hope to set up bi monthly/quarterly meeting cycle. (Graham is meeting the Growth Hub lead in early February.)
