My vision, by Scarborough’s new leader of business ambassadors

Taking over the reigns as head of the Scarborough Business Ambassadors, it is important for me to encourage further participation from the wider business community to help us achieve our vision.

For Scarborough to have a fullyconnected business eco system that uses its plethora of entrepreneurial skills, knowledge, and acumen to address pertinent issues and solve challenges, which enhances the town’s economic prosperity.

We recognise that there are so many active groups passionate about Scarborough, it’s about making sure we know about each other, communicate and work together so we don’t replicate work or repeat mistakes, and we share ideas, resource and best practice.

The great American football player and Chicago Bears running back, Walter Payton, is quoted as saying, “We are stronger together than we are alone,” and I believe there is nothing more uplifting than being in a meeting with many like-minded entrepreneurs who are committed to helping Scarborough grow and prosper.

It’s always easy to criticise and focus on what’s wrong, however, talking positively within our networks and taking pro-active steps to really make a difference in our beautiful town is infectious and deeply satisfying, especially when you see the value of your endeavours.

With the new North Yorkshire Council coming into being on April 1, combining seven district councils, it is more important than ever for Scarborough to have a loud and unified voice. The new council will obviously be more inclined to work alongside the towns that are easy to deal with, sharing a vision of progression and prosperity – where their current actions speak louder than words in supporting the efforts on the burning issues and opportunities.

I believe now is the time for the Scarborough Business Ambassadors to dare to lead, putting our combined entrepreneurial skill sets to good use strategically working to pursue new creative ideas that have the potential to change Scarborough.

Scarborough Business Ambassadors (a not-for-profit limited company run by a group of actioned orientated volunteer business leaders who form a board of directors) have never been a talking shop. We have always been action and results-orientated. However, we now split our work into six work themed pillars: STEM, Education, Health and Well-being, Tourism and Hospitality, Arts and Culture and Aspiration.

Each of the pillars has a dedicated Ambassador Director who chairs the sub-group, responsible for the creation of objectives and delivery of outcomes.

Although I see our leading position as necessary, it is essential that we continue to collaborate and work in partnership with other key stakeholders. We have managed to deliver many successful outcomes in the past all of which would not have been possible without this joint working.

Our outcomes include:

• More than 150 forum dinners with high-level speakers from a variety of industries and organisations bringing the business community of Scarborough together

• Michelin Star chef dinners, involving the participation of students from Scarborough TEC Catering Department

• Delivery of Scarborough Science and Engineering Week, annually since 2009 – and welcoming 40,000 students through the door!

• The driving catalyst behind the delivery of Scarborough University Technical College

• Institute of Director Events

• Held recruitment events with York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation, helping them to source doctors and consultants

• Pindar School – delivery of food to provide family Christmas dinner for the 2019 appeal

• PPE sourcing and distribution during COVID Lockdown 2020

• Supported Scarborough UTC F1 in Schools team in reaching the World Finals of the competition, twice!

• Introduction of nursing pathways through Scarborough UTC and CU Scarborough to address recruitment crisis in NHS/Care sector.

• Boosting closer links between many businesses and educational establishments including: -

• Scarborough Borough Council

• North Yorkshire County Council

• Bank of England (including hosting private dinners to discuss economy and impacts on local businesses)

• Anglo American

• Stephen Joseph Theatre

• Scarborough GCHQ

• Institute of Directors

• Flamingo Land

• NYBEP

• Scarborough TEC

• CU Scarborough and the University of Hull

• Rosti Automotive

• Alexander Dennis

• York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

• We have demonstrated courage like this before and taking on a more vital leadership role, will help us to positively position Scarborough to take advantage of potential

• Devolution discussions, and to ensure Scarborough is continually considered and receives the regeneration funding it truly deserves.