The role of the business sector in the future prosperity of Nottingham cannot be over-stated. It is critical that we have a thriving services and business sector.

Obviously as the city thrives the roles of all manner of business advisors – Bankers, Lawyers, Accountants and Surveyors (!) becomes more important. This is all about jobs. We can have a greet business services sector – we have modest costed space, a pool of employable people and we are well placed geographically to get about the UK and abroad (with the excellent links from East Midlands Airport).

What is perhaps less obvious is the role the business sector will need to have to play in the City of the future. The City Council are facing more austerity measures – resources are stretched. What little money they have their will be some necessary priorities – Childrens Services and the other statutory duties placed on them. The role of the private sector needs therefore to come to the fore.

The business sector does not necessarily have more money – in fact times are tough for us too. But we do have a vested interest in how the City looks in the future. It is important that it prospers as a place.

We are used to working in a competitive market, more so, dare I suggest than those who work in Local Government. Our livelihood depends on us being ahead of the game. Coming second is not an option, if we don’t win we don’t stay in business. Some of that mental attitude needs to be applied to the City. We need to get ahead of the competition, if we don’t we lose.

And the really interesting thing is that my group of peers across the various sectors are willing to take up the challenge. We do at MIPIM (the annual property show in Cannes) and the Invest in Nottingham Club goes from strength to strength.

The business sector might well have to lead on the story in the future?