7 minute read
President & People
Tom Mongan, president of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce and chair of its North Warwickshire branch.
There has been plenty for this region to be proud of over recent weeks and there’s much more to look forward to.
It was great to have the spotlight on the Miners Welfare Park in Bedworth as the wonderful structure that was Sanctuary was created and then burned, attracting crowds of people in a truly spectacular moment for the town.
At the same time, Radio 1’s Big Weekend was happening down the road in Coventry, putting our region on the national airwaves over the course of several days, as the UK City of Culture came to an amazing close.
And then there were the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations that seemed to really bring everyone together in celebration both regionally and nationally.
I am delighted that the party isn’t over as the Commonwealth Games will be underway very soon bringing even more interest and excitement to our part of the world.
Of course, there are issues remaining within the economy – we saw GDP drop by 0.3 per cent in April, which was a second successive monthly fall. Our colleagues at the British Chambers of Commerce revised their forecast for yearly growth down to 3.5 per cent.
They also predicted that inflation will hit 10 per cent in the final quarter of 2022 and business investment is going to fall short of previous estimates. We’re all feeling these things in our daily lives, especially when we come to pay our energy bills or go to fill up with fuel.
It’s exactly the same in the world of business where companies are become increasingly frustrated that the cost of doing business and the difficulties to recruit – as well as other issues within the economy – are holding back growth.
Of course, we all hoped that as we came out of Covid-19 restrictions that it would be a chance to put our foot down and really accelerate the growth in the economy but, sadly, that’s not been the case and we’re all urging Government to help ease the burden of costs on business.
I’d also urge firms across the region to make sure they stay in touch with the team at the Chamber to make the most of the support that’s available to help them get through this tricky period and look to grow.
You can contact the Chamber Team on 024 7665 4321 or drop an email to info@cw-chamber.co.uk
Alsters Kelley celebrates
a year since key acquisition
After two years of effectively avoiding close contact with people and a general lack of face-to-face social interaction, it was good to finally be able to do something different. That’s why we were delighted recently to welcome nearly 100 people to Stratford Town Hall to help us celebrate a whole year since Bonell & Co became part of Alsters Kelley Solicitors.
Julie McGarrigle, business development director at Alsters Kelley, said: “The event was primarily an opportunity for us to introduce ourselves and other members of the AK team, as well as officially welcome Andrew and other Stratford staff to the team.
“We had a great turnout. Directors, staff, clients, suppliers and business contacts, and the Mayor of Stratford, joined us for a wonderful evening of wine, canapes and plenty of chat. As well as a raffle to raise money for our nominated 2022 charities, there was a wonderfully designed and branded anniversary cake, which was expertly cut by Cathy Wahlberg and Andrew Bonell. We also had a professional photographer on hand, who captured some fantastic shots of everyone throughout the evening.
“The evening was a huge success, and the setting was picture-perfect too. We were in the Ante-Room and Ballroom upstairs in the Stratford Town Hall which are both beautiful spaces and complimented the evening perfectly. We were also delighted to use all local suppliers including Wine Poole, Fabulous Suppers, Laurence Jones Photography and KOVA Support for the bar, food, cake, photography and event planning.”
Alsters Kelley Solicitors, one of Coventry and Warwickshire’s premier law firms, acquired Stratford-based Bonell & Co Solicitors in January 2021, when the country was in lockdown. Since then, the office in 2 Chestnut Walk, which traditionally dealt with conveyancing and family law, has seen a makeover. Not only has it been repainted, but it has expanded its range of legal services to include criminal litigation and motoring offences, dispute resolution, medical negligence, personal injury, wills, probate and trusts.
For more information visit www.alsterskelley.com
New appointment to drive innovation agenda at University of Warwick Science Park
Mark Tock has been appointed Chief Operations Officer at the University of Warwick Science Park as part of a strategy to drive innovation across the West Midlands.
Tock, a life scientist with a PhD in Biology and a Masters in Business Administration, has joined the University of Warwick Science Park from Nexus Leeds, the Innovation Hub of the University of Leeds. He previously sat on the board of the UK Science Park Association (UKSPA).
The University of Warwick Science Park’s network includes its main site adjacent to the University’s main campus and sites at Blythe Valley in Solihull, Warwick, and Binley in Coventry. It works with businesses to support growth, innovation, job creation, and engagement with the University and works in partnership with the established Warwick Innovation District.
The Science Park will continue to work with the University of Warwick to foster collaboration between business and academic research. This includes access for major initiatives such as global innovation platform Plug & Play’s Mobility Platform, based at the National Automotive Innovation Centre (NAIC).
Mark Tock, Chief Operations Officer at the University of Warwick Science Park said: “The University of Warwick Science Park is already highly regarded both as an institution and for the role it plays in the regional economy.
“It acts as an innovation hub, bringing businesses across the West Midlands together with cutting-edge research and development, whether at Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG), Warwick Business School or any other internationally leading department.
“The world is changing at a rapid pace and there are some immediate and fundamental challenges before us – for example, Net Zero, economic growth and productivity, advanced manufacturing, and automation. These are challenges, but also exceptional opportunities.
“It is therefore an exciting time for the Science Park, and I am looking forward to playing a key role in its future development and contributing to solving these challenges across both Coventry and Warwickshire and the wider West Midlands.”
Stuart Croft, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Warwick said: “Mark is a highly experienced operator, and his vision is completely aligned with the University’s ambitious innovation and growth agenda.
“The University of Warwick Science Park is a unique proposition within the West Midlands and an opportunity for local SMEs, start-ups, and established businesses to engage positively and productively with our world-leading academic institutions.
“Under Mark’s leadership, those businesses based at the Science Park will continue to benefit from support to drive growth, innovation, job creation, and graduate retention across our region.”
Charity law and governance expert Catherine Rustomji has been elected to sit on the Charity Law Association executive committee.
As head of charities at Midlands-based law firm Shakespeare Martineau, Catherine’s position on the executive committee will see her play a leading role in improving knowledge and awareness of charity law issues, as well as working closely with the Charity Commission to pursue technical and practical issues facing the sector.
The role of the Charity Law Association is to help charities of all sizes navigate the legal landscape of
Association appoints charity
law expert to executive committee
the third sector, providing a forum for members to exchange ideas and information as well as respond to consultations from government and regulators.
Working alongside other leaders in the sector including advisors, academics and charity professionals, Catherine will share best practice with the association’s 900-plus members.
Catherine, who has more than 20 years’ experience in the charity sector, said: “I’m thrilled to have been elected to sit on the executive committee. I’m looking forward to getting back into the thick of developments in charity law and discussions with peers about the latest issues affecting charities, and working as a team to stand up for the sector and make a real difference.
“This additional role will position me at the coalface of charity law, keeping me at the forefront of developments so that I can better support my clients too.”
For more than two decades, Catherine has been exclusively advising charities, social enterprises and not-for-profit organisations – specialising in charity law and governance, not-for-profit legal structures, trustee training and board development.
Over the years, she has supported national, regional and local charities, not-for-profit organisations, community groups, schools, colleges, churches, welfare and professional associations – operating across the health, education, arts, public and private sectors.
Nearly 1,000 members of the Charity Law Association were asked to vote for the executive committee, with appointments announced at the organisation’s recent AGM. Positions are voluntary and held for three years, subject to re-election by members.
