Do we have 3rd rate broadband in the UK?
My latest column in South East Business Magazine discussed the current poor performance of communications, both mobile and fixed line broadband, in this country.
At the same time, my IoD colleague Dan Lewis produced a report echoing my concerns on the subject stating
“Now is the time to set a bold new target for genuinely world-beating broadband. We have the leading internet economy in the G20, and yet download speeds are mediocre and the coverage of fibre optic cable is woeful. The demand for data is growing exceptionally fast, and with Virtual Reality and the Internet of Things just around the corner, about to grow even faster. But our network is behind the curve. Unfortunately, the Government’s current target displays a distinct poverty of ambition.”
I can’t help but agree!
The IoD article and report can be found here.
The South East business magazine can be found here
IoD London and South East Director of the Year 2015
May latest article from Platinum Business magazine showcasing latest activity at IoD South.
The full article can be found here
Reduced support will stunt growth
I recently wrote about the demise of the Business Growth Service. It was particularly sad to also see the end of the Manufacturing Advisory Service, MAS. Having been part of the EEF South team that originated the service in London and the South East I can’t help but fondly remember the businesses that were supported by our “hands on ” approach aided by a very capable in-house team. This certainly helped many turn the corner onto a journey toward world class performance.
As I mentioned, I’m now a Non-Executive Director at Cavendish Enterprise which is delivering the “Start & Grow” programme providing much needed long term support to businesses in areas where every help is needed. You can find out about it here.
The full article can be found here
A Taxing Issue
My latest article in Platinum Business magazine discussing the government’s latest tax deal with Google and how nation states struggle to deal with the dominant multi-nationals
The full article can be found here
Energy security
I recently wrote in Platinum Business Magazine about security of energy supply, particularly with the future rise in electric vehicles requiring extra capacity from the national grid.
We are facing a crisis in energy capacity due to a woeful lack of investment over the years in a sustainable energy infrastructure from a variety of sources.
The full article can be found here
Keeping pace with ethical technologies
I recently co-authored an article for LexisNexis with colleagues from DMH Stallard about the ethical sourcing of materials and the pressures on manufacturers to adhere to ethical standards.
The full article can be found here
Looking forward to 2016
My December 2016 article for Platinum Business magazine looking forward to issues that will be facing us in 2016
The full magazine can be found here
Crunch time coming for “Brexit” in 2016
My latest article in South East Business magazine
the full article can be found here
New NED position
I’m very pleased to have recently been appointed to the Board of the Cavendish Consortium. Cavendish Enterprise (the trading name of Cavendish Consortium Ltd) is a group made up of six of the largest enterprise agencies across England, together with the National Enterprise Network. Our members are amongst the most prominent not-for-profit enterprise agencies in the country, each with over 30 years’ experience.
All of our members are longstanding agencies within the business support community, and are each respected for their independent and impartial advice and their impeccable probity. Cavendish Enterprise has a reputation for working in close partnership with a variety of organisations from the private, public and third sectors to achieve excellent results in business enterprise.
Recently, three of our members, Nwes, NBV, and Enterprise First, have come together to form Enterprise for London, an initiative to deliver the same support and access to finance within the boroughs of Greater London as the consortium members are delivering across the rest of the country.
Through working together we have successfully delivered government initiatives such as the Growth Vouchers scheme and Ready for Business programme, to thousands of businesses in England. The benefits to these businesses have been both financial and supportive, with qualified advice and training from expert business advisors within each region. By providing support and finance, we are proactively helping the economy by creating jobs, and partnerships for the benefit of both the local and wider communities.
Our most recent initiative, Start & Grow, is funded by the Regional Growth Fund and delivers support and training to potential entrepreneurs across England. The programme is available to those looking to start a business which expects to employ people from its early stages and where start-up financing will be required to get the venture off the ground.
Recent Comments