Date: Mon 21st March, 2011
Venue: Hotel Du Vin, Church Street, Birmingham, B3 2NR
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Coverage of this event is available here
Panel to include:
Lorraine Holmes, chief executive, Business Link West Midlands
Larraine Boorman, managing director, Acua
Tom Lawton, partner, BDO
Stewart Towe, managing director, Hadley Group and chairman, the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership
These days company directors have to take multi-tasking to a whole new level. In a difficult economic climate they have to ensure the business is functioning as well as it can but they also have a number of ongoing issues to deal with. In this Question Time style event we discuss the main challenges facing company boards, from raising finance to staying on top of governance and regulation.
Finance is a key issue at present of course. Raising money for investment purposes is extremely difficult. Is the climate improving? Are there other sources of finance which are available and desirable to businesses?
Issues relating to pensions are also at the forefront of directors’ minds. Some firms have legacy defined benefit schemes carrying unacceptable risks for the business - what steps are open to firms to manage these risks? There are also changes in legislation to consider. For example, under the terms of the Pensions Act 2008, companies will be expected to enrol all members of staff into a pension scheme - and pay compulsory employer contributions to it - from 2012. What impact will this have on businesses in our region?
And there are key pieces of employment legislation - such as the Bribery Act and changes to rules surrounding maternity leave - that directors need to understand. What steps are open to businesses to manage their risks here?
We’ve already had the government’s Comprehensive Spending Review and the effects of those cuts are starting to be felt. Our panelists will have had plenty of chance to absorb the challenges and opportunities that the new spending cuts present. And this is the year of the LEPs (local enterprise partnerships). Approvals have been handed out to applicants all around the Midlands but what powers will they be given. What is the future of business support?
We will also be presenting the results of our own survey and to do this we need your help. We would very much welcome your views and opinions, and would appreciate you completing this less than five minute online form by clicking here.
With input from an invited audience of business owners and company directors, this is sure to be a lively debate.
If you need any more information, please contact Geraldine Lester on 0161 907 9753.
Our events are regularly over-subscribed therefore please register your interest as soon as possible. If you have been successful you will receive a confirmation email one week prior to the event.
If you are interested in sponsorship of this or any other Insider event please contact Richard Carey.
Timings for this event are as follows:
5.30pm – Registration
6.00pm – Meeting commences
7.30pm – Approximate close
Guests are invited to remain behind after the formal close for drinks and networking.
Event sponsored by:
