SPACE AVAILABLE

Steve Harcourt

President of Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce

As we move into the autumn months, businesses across Coventry and Warwickshire are once again demonstrating the resilience and adaptability that define our region. Yet, it is also clear that the economic and political landscape remains both challenging and fast-moving.

Over the summer, we have seen inflation gradually easing and interest rates stabilising, which has provided some breathing space for businesses managing costs and planning investment. However, many Chamber members still tell us that energy prices, wage pressures, and access to skilled staff continue to weigh heavily on their ability to grow.

On the political front, the Government has set out its priorities with a renewed focus on industrial strategy, trade strategy, skills, and regional growth. While the detail is still emerging, it is encouraging to hear commitments around devolving more power to local areas and investing in the foundations of productivity.

For Coventry and Warwickshire, this could mean greater opportunities to build on our strengths in advanced manufacturing, green technologies, digital industries, and culture and tourism.

Our Chamber has been at the forefront of making sure that the voices of local businesses are heard in Westminster and Whitehall. Through our Quarterly Economic Survey (QES), of which Prime Accountants Group is a proud partner, and the ongoing work of projects such as the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP), we continue to provide evidence of where support is most urgently needed – whether that’s investment in infrastructure, reform of the apprenticeship system, or more flexible funding to help firms innovate and export.

As Chamber President, I was pleased to have the opportunity recently to visit Coventry Rugby and meet with Jon Sharp, Executive Chairman of the club. Their plans for growth and investment were inspiring and exciting to hear, but at the heart of everything they do is a passion for making Coventry & Warwickshire the very best it can be.

This autumn also brings opportunities. The global spotlight will once again be on our region as we host our West Midlands International Trade Summit in Coventry – an opportunity for those new to exporting, as well as those looking to grow their global presence, to come together to gain new insight, knowledge and networks.

My message to members is this: stay engaged, stay ambitious, and stay connected. The Chamber will continue to be your champion, ensuring that the decisions taken in London – and here locally –reflect the realities of business life on the ground. Together, we can navigate uncertainty and turn challenges into opportunities for growth.

Steve