Member Article

Businesses should 'take leadership role in 2007'

The president of the UK’s only regional chamber of commerce last week called on businesses to step up to the mark in 2007. Maggie Pavlou, North East Chamber of Commerce president, said that the events of 2006 had laid down a challenge for the business community to take a leadership role in key areas including skills, transport and the environment.

Miss Pavlou, who is HR director of Parkdean Holidays, said: “2006 saw the publication of a number of major reviews into long-term recommendations for tackling climate change, transport and infrastructure, skills and planning. At the heart of all these is the need for businesses to take a lead. “This coming year will be a crucial time for businesses and in the North East we have to rise to the challenge, grab that leadership position and become the driving force for positive change.”

Miss Pavlou referred to the Stern report on climate change and the Eddington report on transport, as well as other investigations carried out in the second half of 2006.

Miss Pavlou said: “There have been a tremendous number of recommendations made in these reports that have such a substantial bearing on businesses and our future economic growth. “NECC has urged the Government not to ignore these recommendations. In turn, we will do our part in ensuring that businesses lead these initiatives.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .