The Shadow Minister for Business and Industry Bill Esterson was the guest speaker at the Downtown in Business Cheshire Leaders Lunch yesterday, where he met companies from a range of sectors including hospitality, professional services, and property.
The event, which was sponsored by Excello Law and hosted at outstanding Chester restaurant Opera Grill, focussed on the challenges and opportunities relating to the net zero agenda, the cost-of-living crisis and its impact on business, the difficulties in recruiting staff, and Labours plans for the economy.
The Shadow Minister, who is the MP for Sefton Central, told DIB members that a Labour government would prioritise reform of business rates, procurement processes, and investment in renewable energy to boost the economy and support business.
Excello Law partner Julie Mogan commented:
“It is always useful to be able to engage in a genuine way with decision-makers, and express directly the issues that businesses are facing. I advise many high growth companies across the region, and I understand the difficulties they are facing in trying to grow. It was good to be able to raise those points with Bill Esterson, and hopefully he will take on board some of the messages I and other business leaders in the room presented.”
DIB chief executive Frank McKenna, who chaired the event, added: “We are grateful to Bill for sharing his and Labours policy ideas with us – and more importantly listening to what business has to say. Since taking up his post in Labours business team, he has always been keen to have a conversation with the DIB network, and I hope he enjoyed the event as much as we did.”
