Richard Lambert, former editor of the Financial Times, attended all three party conferences ahead of the CBI event, and ran through each of the parties’ policies, analysing the impact they would have on business from an international, through to a regional level. 

 

Heads of industry, senior professionals and senior managers from the Public Sector, including; Professor Ted Fuller, University of Lincoln, Cllr Peter Robinson, Deputy Leader of Lincolnshire County Council and Mr Pat Doody, Natwest, addressed issues including the Lincolnshire economy, infrastructure and education facilities as well as UK-wide perceptions of the region, at the event organised in partnership with the CBI, the business lobbying organisation.

 

Lambert also highlighted the areas where the CBI feels the need to lobby the hardest on behalf of the business community.  He also shared the CBI’s view on interest rates and the devaluation of sterling against the Euro and Dollar .

 

A healthy debate followed on the availability of credit in the market with Pat Doody of Natwest, Lincoln, fighting the corner for the banking sector, as he explained that demand for credit has lessened. 

 

On a positive note, export and tourism - two of the region’s largest sectors - are in a strong position with exports, including agricultural produce, becoming relatively cheaper and the rising costs of foreign travel encouraging more people to discover the leisure opportunities close at hand. The significance of tourism to the regional economy was underlined by Martin Dalby, CEO of Center Parcs and Cllr Peter Robinson in his role as Chairman of Lincolnshire Tourism.

The single biggest issue for the CBI, the guests of Langleys and the commercial partners of Langleys, remains public sector spending and what needs to be done to balance the nation's books within a reasonable timeframe.  A number of options were debated including reformation of business taxation, public sector pensions, higher education funding and potential future demand in the economy. 

Closing the event, Lambert congratulated the University of Lincoln for both their heightened positioning in 'The Times' University league tables and their role in transforming the City of Lincoln and driving the business community forwards.