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The Draw of HS2 Mark Thurston, CEO of High Speed 2, to Outline Business Opportunities of the UK Central Hub

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The Draw of HS2 Mark Thurston, CEO of High Speed 2, to Outline Business Opportunities of the UK Central Hub West Midlandswww.iod.com Spring 2018 Regional chairman: Return of the: prepares to hand: ‘Ice Maidens’,: over the baton at: conquerors: Director of Year Awards: of:Antarctica: The draw of HS2 Mark Thurston, CEO of High Speed 2, to outline business opportunities of the UK Central Hub IoD signs Armed Forces covenant • Last chance on GDPR Let’s make this region the CONTACTS IoD West Midlands: powerhouse it should be The Library of Birmingham, Centenary Square, Birmingham B1 2ND t: 0121 643 7801 shoulders fully behind the wheel of HS2 – the Dr Jason Wouhra OBE development of a high-speed rail network was Chairman: Dr Jason Wouhra OBE Chairman, now a Government priority. e: [email protected] IoD West Midlands Step forward Simon Walker, then Director- t: 0121 359 2199 General of this very organisation, to describe the This will be my last column as IoD West Midlands plan as a ‘grand folly’… much to the disgust of Regional Director/Editor: chairman, as I hand over the baton to our new several senior business and civic leaders in the Calum Nisbet chair at our Awards Breakfast on June 19. I have Midlands who had been very supportive of the e: [email protected] been in this role for five years, having originally project. t: 0121 643 7801 signed up for three, and it’s been a remarkable To say I was in demand from the media to Regional Events Manager/ journey. I thought I would use this column to comment is an understatement! I managed to Content Editor: look back at my time in office and pick out some soften the IoD’s stance and deflect a touch of Sue Hurrell of the key moments. criticism while making a strong case for the West e: [email protected] My time as chairman has coincided with what Midlands to be placed at the heart of Government t: 0121 643 1868 has been an often turbulent time for the UK. infrastructure plans. It certainly made for a When I took up the office in 2013 the UK baptism of fire. The Institute of Directors West Midlands economy was facing uncertain times. The effects membership magazine is published on of the economic crash were still being felt and the Since then, thankfully, there have been a host of behalf of the IoD by: austerity programme announced to counteract the far more pleasurable duties. Among them was my collapse in government finances was hitting doctorate, bestowed on me by Aston University, as Chamber Media Services, business and community confidence. There was well as my recent award of the OBE. Perhaps the 4 Hilton Road, Bramhall, Stockport, plenty of doom and gloom around; every week I pick, though, was the opportunity to join 20 other Cheshire SK7 3AG. seemed to field media questions on the likelihood business leaders and influencers at a series of of recession, of a slowing down in growth and meetings held in No. 10 Downing Street with the Advertising sales: falls in GDP. Despair was everywhere. then Prime Minister, David Cameron. To have the Colin Regan I sense a completely different outlook today. chance to put forward the IoD’s case, in such t: 01925 879830 / 07871 444922 There is huge energy everywhere you look, hallowed surroundings, was a superb opportunity e: [email protected] whether it’s in capital developments – count the and highlighted just how much respect there is for Production enquiries: cranes on Birmingham’s skyline – investments, the institute’s opinions – and those of its Rob Beswick, innovations or firms simply getting on with members. t: 0161 426 7957 improving products, services and boosting sales, Such high-level contacts continue. Just last e: [email protected] both here and abroad. week I attended a lunch with the Chancellor, There is real confidence among the business Philip Hammond, at the behest of the West leaders I speak to – and I speak to a lot, from Midlands Mayor, Andy Street – where again, the Please note... many sectors. Yes, there are bumps in the road to case for business was put, and listened to. Although every effort is made to ensure overcome – Brexit being the most obvious – but However, in many ways the high-profile the accuracy of material contained overall, there is a genuine feeling of optimism that meetings such as these weren’t the highlights. within this magazine, neither the IoD the business community can cope with the Rather, I look back fondly on the many lower nor Chamber Media Services can challenges before it, and flourish. profile events I’ve attended where I’ve met accept any responsibility for omissions After all, if we’ve managed to survive after some directors and business leaders from a myriad of or inaccuracies in its editorial or of the brickbats that have come our way in the sectors. It is only when you get talking to the advertising content. past decade, we can survive anything! people behind our businesses – large and small – that you realise just The views expressed in this publication Picking out individual highlights of my time in how entrepreneurial the West Midlands is. are not necessarily those of the IoD. office is difficult, but a few examples do stand out. It has been a pleasure to meet many The carriage of adverts in this Perhaps the most challenging came in my first inspirational people behind our great businesses, publication does not constitute an week of office. Desperate to send out positive to learn the secrets of their success and compare endorsement of the products or services advertised. signals in the teeth of a gathering recession, David notes on how to run organisations successfully. All articles within this publication are Continued on page 4 Cameron and George Osborne had put their copyright IoD West Midlands. Editorial consent must be obtained before any are reproduced either in printed form or IoD West Midlands Patrons electronically. Cover picture: An artist’s impression of the UK Central in Solihull, as the IoD prepares to welcome HS2’s CEO, Mark Thurston, to an event on May 18 IoD West Midlands Spring 2018 | 03 Chairman’s welcome Continued from page 3 A really encouraging aspect of the past five Dr Jason Wouhra OBE receives his years has been an acknowledgement of the need award from HRH Prince Charles at for closer co-operation between hitherto often Buckingham Palace competing bodies – whether local authorities or trade/business groups. Many now appreciate the value of deeper, broader co-operation, particularly in attracting inward investment and on cross-boundary projects such as transport infrastructure. organisation retains his or her authenticity and Commonwealth Games doesn’t try to become something they are not. A shining example of this greater co- Have confidence in your own judgement and operation is the Commonwealth Games bid. hope that your experience will lead you through West Midlands Mayor Andy Street saw that this the challenges that will befall you. was the chance of a lifetime for the region to Whoever does become chair will have a host a global sporting event and drive invest- wonderful opportunity to grow, both as a ment into it at the same time. The Government’s business leader and a person. The role of IoD commitment to invest £70m in the Alexander Chair gives you insights into how the non- Stadium is just the start, and funding from business community operates. Indeed, one of central government will be followed by private the many things I have taken delight over has businesses investing in the city and wider region. been the new connections I have made outside Andy used all his powers of persuasion to the business world, with social and community convince the Government to back Birmingham groups, and with education. I have seen for as the Games host – but his efforts would have myself how we are all inter-connected; one of been for nought if it wasn’t for the cross-party the joys of the IoD has been seeing those and boundary support he received from our interactions work in the flesh. local authorities and the business community. The bid’s success proved how much more we can Many thanks achieve if we work together rather than apart. We must continue to focus on good I have taken a huge amount from this role I write this as the Commonwealth Games are governance. There are too many stories about and I look back on my time as chairman with a in full swing in Australia. They have been a joy businesses and directors who do the wrong huge sense of pride. It has been hard work but to watch. Just think, in four years it will be our things. We know that they are the exception to ultimately, hugely rewarding. I’d like to thank region in the spotlight. How inspiring will it be, the rule, and that the overwhelming majority of everyone who has supported me over the past particularly for local children and those young directors are working hard and doing the best five years. Pride of place goes to our staff at the people – particularly from under-privileged they can for their businesses. But maintaining IoD regional office – John Phillips, the regional communities – to get involved in four years the highest standards of corporate governance director whom I first worked with, and his time, whether competing or working in the is vital if we are to maintain the public’s trust. successor, Calum Nisbet. I would also like to Games, gaining valuable work experience they Always remember, good governance means thank my predecessor, John Rider, who has can take away from the event.
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