House of Commons Speaker Calls for Communication

House of Commons speaker John Bercow MP was joined by key business figures within the region, as the inaugural Sheffield City Region Business Conference saw vital themes debated in front of over 200 people.

Mr Bercow kicked off proceedings at Barnsley Metrodome by urging businesses to channel their views to parliament via their MPs, before debates took place relating to three headline themes - Skills for Growth, Infrastructure for Growth and Conditions for Growth – before guests including five MPs and Master Cutler Pam Liversidge.

The morning featured interactive panel discussions chaired by Adam Marshall, Director of Policy and External Affairs at the British Chambers of Commerce, and featuring television presenter and TeenTech founder Maggie Philbin; Sheffield Heeley MP Meg Munn and James Newman, Chairman of the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership.

Image: John Bercow MP addresses the conference in Barnsley

Mr Bercow said: “That five MPs were at the conference shows their commitment and eagerness for businesses to succeed and MPs in the City Region are extremely active in the house. 

“I know all about blunt-speaking Yorkshire folk – my mother was from Huddersfield – and I encourage businesses in the city region to be forward in raising any burning issues with their local MPs.  “MPs listen and speak on behalf of businesses and Parliament is interested in what business people have to say - the huge gulf thought to exist between Parliament and the people no longer exists.”

The ground-breaking event was sponsored by Bull Information Systems and organised by the Chambers of Commerce within the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership.  The debates were sponsored by Brinsworth Academy of Engineering, Doncaster Racecourse, Nabarro, Sheffield UTC Academy Trust and University Technical Colleges.

Image: Mick Crossley meets BBC Presenter Maggie Philbin

Mick Crossley MD at Brinsworth Academy of Engineering spoke at the event as part of the Skills debate and issued a very clear message to the audience, stating "Now is the time for collaboration, we have a unique opportunity to put South Yorkshire on the map for being the best place in the country to develop our future engineering workforce."

For details on how you can get involved with regional events visit www.brchamber.co.uk