Throughout the autumn party conference season, the Enterprise Forum brought business leaders and policymakers together for a series of discussions on the challenges facing UK enterprise and the conditions needed for growth.
The season began on 4 September at the Reform UK Conference in Birmingham. In partnership with Make UK, the Enterprise Forum hosted a panel discussion titled “The Cost-of-Doing-Business Crisis: What British Industry Actually Needs.” The panel featured Richard Tice MP, Reform UK Spokesperson for Business, Trade and Energy and Deputy Leader, alongside Daniel Paterson, Director of Policy and Government Affairs at Make UK, and Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive of the British Beer & Pub Association. Chaired by Hicham Felter, Director of the Enterprise Forum, the conversation focused on the real pressures facing British businesses, including rising energy costs, higher employment costs, regulatory burdens, skills shortages and supply-chain challenges that affect manufacturers and many other sectors alike
At the Liberal Democrat Party Conference in Brighton, the Enterprise Forum held a Business Lunch in partnership with ADS Group Ltd. Guests heard from Sarah Olney MP, Liberal Democrat Business Spokesperson, Joshua Reynolds MP, Investment and Trade Spokesperson, Lord Chris Fox, Lords Spokesperson for Business, and Charlie Maynard, Chief Secretary Spokesperson. Kevin Craven, CEO of ADS, shared industry insights, while the discussion was chaired by Craig Stevenson, Enterprise Forum Director. The lunch provided a valuable platform for open exchange on business priorities, investment and trade.
During Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, attention turned to “Delivering growth for the UK’s everyday economy.” Held at the iconic Love Lane Brewery, the session brought together policymakers, business leaders and industry representatives to examine the pressures facing businesses across the UK, including rising operating and energy costs, skills shortages, productivity challenges and the need to build greater resilience. Speakers included the Rt Hon James Murray MP, Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General, John Watts, former Special Adviser to Tony Blair, Melanie Proffitt, Global President of ACCA, Jennifer Pheasey, Director of Public Affairs at the Horticultural Trades Association, and Barry Watts, Head of Public Affairs at SIBA. The discussion was chaired by Natascha Engel, former MP and Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons. Attendees enjoyed beer from Perivale Brewery, based in James Murray’s Ealing North constituency. The strong audience of business leaders and stakeholders made for a constructive conversation on the conditions businesses need to grow, invest and remain resilient.
The Enterprise Forum’s presence at Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham was marked by two flagship events. On 5 October, the Business Reception took place in the Symphony Ballroom at the Hyatt Regency. Andrew Griffith MP, Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, was the special guest speaker. Dr Victoria Hills, Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Building, spoke on behalf of the partner organisations. The evening was compered by the Forum’s President, the Rt Hon the Lord Eric Pickles. Partners included the ABI, ACCA, ACS, ADS, CIOB, Federation of Master Builders, Horticultural Trades Association, ICAEW, Make UK and UK Private Capital. Guests enjoyed craft beer from Hepworth Brewery, based in Andrew Griffith’s Arundel and South Downs constituency, courtesy of SIBA.
The following day, the President’s Lunch was held in partnership with the Construction Products Association, the Construction Plant-hire Association, the Energy and Utilities Alliance and the Mineral Products Association. Guest speakers were Katie Lam MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, and Peter Bedford MP, a member of the Work and Pensions Committee. The event was hosted by Lord Eric Pickles, with Rob Lee of the Construction Products Association speaking on behalf of the partner organisations. The discussion covered housing, planning and the wider built environment, issues central to UK growth and investment.
Across all four conferences, the Enterprise Forum created space for meaningful dialogue between business and politics. These events reinforced the organisation’s commitment to ensuring that the voice of enterprise is heard clearly across the political spectrum.
