SPEAKERS from the Bank of England and Merchant Banking business Salamanca Group will be joined by Hinkley Point C and British Chambers of Commerce representatives to give a critical insight into the state of the Somerset economy and forecasts for the future at a half-day event in May.
Donna Kehoe
The Somerset Economic Update, organised by the Somerset Chamber of Commerce, is aimed at decision-makers and senior management from businesses across the region and takes place on 23 May at Haynes International Motor Museum, in Sparkford, near Yeovil.
Guest speakers include Donna Kehoe, the Bank of England’s South West representative, Martin Bellamy, Chairman and Chief Executive of Salamanca Group, David Bharier of the British Chambers of Commerce, Jamie Driver, EDF Energy’s Hinkley Point C Senior Supply Chain Engagement Manager and Stephen Henagulph, the Chief Executive of the Somerset Chamber of Commerce.
Together, they will present key information for Somerset businesses, including the Bank of England’s latest economic update, a report on the South West results of the national British Chambers of Commerce Quarterly Economic Survey and presentations on business growth and investment.
Mr Bellamy will talk about Salamanca Group’s decision to invest in the South West with the This is Gravity venture at the former Royal Ordnance Factory site, in Bridgwater, while Mr Driver will report on the findings of the latest socio-economic report on Hinkley Point C.
The new nuclear power station has already seen £1 billion spent with regional firms in the South West, created 6,500 job opportunities, 378 apprenticeships and given £9.4 million to community projects.
The British Chambers of Commerce Quarterly Economic Survey saw one of the largest response rates to date from Somerset businesses and looked at a wide range of issues, including home sales and orders, export sales and orders, employment prospects, investment, recruitment difficulties, cash flow, confidence and price pressures.
Martin Bellamy
Stephen Henagulph, Chief Executive of Somerset Chamber of Commerce, said: “This is a golden opportunity for Somerset businesses to get valuable insights from leading professionals which will help them with their own planning, as well as gaining valuable predictions from the Bank of England.”
Places are limited at the event and can be booked online via the Somerset Chamber of Commerce website.
Join Somerset Chamber of Commerce to give your business a stronger voice both locally, regionally and nationally. Combined with local town chambers, we represent over 2,000 businesses across Somerset with a direct line to policy-makers at all levels.
