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West & North Yorkshire Business
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WEST & NORTH YORKSHIRE NEWS
Adapt and thrive 2022 got off to a busy start as restrictions were pared back and with the economy recovering, although there are many headwinds to face as inflationary pressures come to the fore and recruitment proves extremely challenging. The UK-EU Trade & Co-operation Agreement continues to hinder imports and exports with the continent. Research conducted across the Chamber network and published in February said 71% of exporters felt the EU trade deal is not enabling them to grow or increase sales and the majority said the deal had put UK firms at a competitive disadvantage with additional costs, delays and increased paperwork all contributing to this. Despite these challenges many firms are beginning to adapt to customs documentation and trade procedures, many for the first time, and having developed the skills and capabilities to move goods across borders the Chamber is keen to help these firms seek out new markets around the world. The first quarter of 2022 was also taken up by the search to find a successor for our CEO Sandy Needham, who announced before Christmas she would be retiring in the Spring. I am delighted to say following an extensive search that we have appointed James Mason as your new CEO. James will be well known to many from his time at Bradford City, the BBC and most recently at destination marketing organisation, Welcome 2 Yorkshire. James will take up his role from May 2nd. I wanted to take this opportunity to thank Sandy for her tireless support and advocacy for the region’s business community and for everything she has done to ensure the Chamber continues to be a force for good business across West & North Yorkshire. Amanda Beresford Chair of the Board West & North Yorkshire Chamber
Mayor of West Yorkshire supports Diversity-inConstruction initiative A group of Year 10 girls from Beeston in Leeds sampled hands-on construction taster sessions to mark International Women’s Day 2022. Hosted at Leeds College of Building’s Southbank Campus, the pilot event gave female pupils aged 14 and 15 the opportunity to sample construction-related training. These sessions are ideal for those considering a career in the industry. Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, joined the cohort from Cockburn School as they learned more about Transport Planning, Architecture, and Painting & Decorating professions. The students listened to talks by female lecturers and then experienced trade skills first-hand. More than 70,000 people in West Yorkshire alone work in construction. However, many employers struggle to recruit people with the right skills. Currently, women only make up around 14% of construction industry professionals in the UK. Nikki Davis, Vice Principal – Teaching, Learning & Quality at Leeds College of Building, said: “The theme for International Women’s Day 2022 is #BreakTheBias. At the College, we are passionate about being inclusive, challenging stereotypes, and responding to the inadequate number of women employed in construction in the UK. “Our past female students have an excellent track record of high achievement. Many have gained managerial posts, worked on big construction projects with global firms in areas such as civil engineering or architecture, or won industry accolades. Perhaps some of the girls here today may join their ranks.” Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “For us to deliver the fair and ambitious recovery our region needs, it’s vital that we narrow the skills gap many employers are facing today, and showcase the well-paid, skilled jobs on offer in the construction industry. On International Women’s Day, this event is a fantastic opportunity for young West Yorkshire women to try something new, build their confidence and learn about an exciting new career.”
