The Chief Executive of the East Midlands Chamber has reacted warmly to the appointment of Claire Ward as the first Mayor of the new East Midlands Combined County Authority.
Scott Knowles said: “I’d like to extend my congratulations to Claire Ward as she takes on this new role of Combined County Authority mayor. I look forward to sharing insight with Claire into the needs of businesses in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire as this new chapter for the two counties unfolds.
“I wish Claire every success as Combined County Authority mayor and at East Midlands Chamber we stand ready to work with Claire in highlighting the key issues facing businesses in the East Midlands. While there is plenty of growth potential in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, the skills gap and the need for reform in areas like transport are ever present, as are the prohibitive costs of doing business. The findings of our latest Quarterly Economic Survey clearly identify the pressure points for businesses in our region, while the Manifesto for Growth 2024 we presented to the government earlier this year sets out our asks across the four I’s of Infrastructure, International Trade, Innovation and Investment.”