Economy talk from former CBI chief

FORMER CBI director general Digby, Lord Jones of Birmingham, will visit Yorkshire later this month to discuss the links between business and education.

He will visit Hull University Business School on September 27 to deliver a speech about his views on the fate of the UK's economy.

Lord Jones said: "The economy is recovering and UK businesses in every sector are fighting back. They are exploiting the global market and working in a more innovative way in order to stand out from the crowd.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"People are the unique selling point of a business so investing in staff training is vital to growth. Training may be expensive, but ignorance is even more so. Academic institutions, especially universities, can help organisations survive in the global economy through the provision of education programmes.

"Universities are knowledge hubs in their own region, and their students are a valuable source of enterprise, entrepreneurship and innovation.

"Ultimately, more businesses go bust as the economy improves than as it deteriorates, so now is the time for studied leadership, innovation and accepting guidance from knowledgeable institutions."

He added: "In the next decades, business will gather around and succeed by developing with centres of education and training. Only by adding value through the practical application of knowledge will the country win through.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"The public sector also stands to benefit – and, therefore, as taxpayers, we all do – as we all demand more from less. Better trained people face change more constructively and delivery more productively."

For more information, contact Ian Calvert on (01482) 463183 or visit www.hull.ac.uk/hubs