Pictured: John Rider, chairman, IoD West Midlands, Sarah
Longbottom of Odgers Interim, Richard Love, MD of Berwick Partners,
Lynn Woodward, MD of Busy Bees Group Ltd
Action both by national and local government is needed now, not
in 18 months, if jobs are to be created by expanding the local
economy, the chairman of the Institute of Directors told a private
dinner for clients and guests of executive recruitment consultancy
Odgers Interim.
John Rider said that too many promises of action nationally and
locally were qualified by timing and those actions and funds took
too long to filter down to where it was actually needed.
"Too often we hear an announcement but then realise that this is
going to be enacted in 18 months or two years' time," he said.
The dinner, held at Opus Restaurant in Birmingham attracted a
blue chip list of the directors and owners of the West Midlands'
leading quoted companies and family owned businesses.
Mr Rider told guests: "Everyone knows we are in the throes of
major economic problems, but are London-based civil servants
calling the shots and holding our politicians back, or is the
Government just being very slow to get its act together.
"Either way we are hearing too many words and not seeing enough
action, leaving the economy on auto-pilot?"
He said politicians and business leaders needed to be realistic.
"Trying to talk up the situation is futile. What is required is
initiatives that will make a difference.
"Yet where is the sense of urgency?"
He pointed out that Round One Regional Growth fund "winners"
which were announced on April 12 still had not seen a penny and had
been left in limbo.
"Additionally, inducements for businesses to move into the new
Enterprise Zones won't start flowing until April 2013 at the
earliest. It is lamentable.
"Imagine if the winners in next year's Olympics had to wait six
months or more for their medals!"
Sarah Longbottom and Nick Behan of Odgers Interim welcomed
guests and remarked that interim managers can play a key role in
helping the region's businesses move forward - whether they are
planning for growth or need help rationalising existing plant and
resources.
Sarah Longbottom said: "Odgers Interim is committed to working
with businesses that need help delivered in a constructive,
cost-effective way, whether this is interim executives working
within SMEs or quoted companies wanting to tackle business issues
such as; crisis management, improving cash flow, raising funds,
developing investment strategies, preparing a business for growth
or sale, gap management or managing a restructure of the team or
business."
Nick Behan added "The feedback from our guests was so positive
that we plan to make the dinner a regular highlight in the Midlands
SME business calendar".
"It also gave directors a useful opportunity to exchange their
experiences and views on their own industries and sectors with
other business leaders in the region".