Infrastructure investment is critical for city’s prosperity

THE next president of the Leeds Chamber of Commerce says infrastructure investment is “absolutely critical” to the future success of the city in a competitive and changing world.

In an interview to mark his appointment, Nigel Foster called on the Government to start investing in the long term to improve the UK’s transport, utilities and information technology networks.

Years of underinvestment have created a barrier to growth, which is played out on a national and regional level, he told the Yorkshire Post.

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Mr Foster, a leading transport expert, said Leeds has become a less attractive city to investors when compared to rivals because of the lack of infrastructure spending.

This in turn has hindered the economic development of Yorkshire’s biggest city.

Mr Foster said: “We are the only city in Europe without a rapid transit system.

“It’s impacted on the ability of the city to spread the economic benefits but also to draw in a labour force across the city region and make travel for them much easier.”

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He added: “Cities are the locations for innovation and economic activity. The ability to connect with other people drives ideas and drives business and trade.

“What you are seeing in other cities is the ability for people to move around those cities easily and connect with other businesses across their city regions and with London... which will always be the main economic driver in the UK.”

He cited the High Speed 1, the Channel Tunnel Rail Link through London and Kent, as an example of the “transformational effect” that infrastructure investment can have on the wider economy.

On High Speed 2, the proposed rail link between London, the Midlands and the North, he said it was vital that local authorities on the eastern side of the country maintain lobbying efforts to make sure that Yorkshire does not lose out to the North West in the timetable for completion.

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Mr Foster said: “In a competitive world, you can’t afford to take your foot off the pedal.”

Alongside investment in infrastructure, Mr Foster sees improvements to the skills of the workforce as key to the success of the city.

He said businesses should invest in their workforce to create a competitive advantage in both the UK and overseas.

“We are certainly in a time of uncertainty,” he said, referring to the rise of China, India and Brazil as new global economic powers and the relative decline of the United States.

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He added: “We are in a period of transition, therefore we have to maximise all of the positive attributes of our country and our people to give them the maximum opportunity.”

The Leeds York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce has a role to play in helping businesses adapt to these changes, he said.

The chamber, which has seen a net increase in its membership this year to around 2,000, is proud of its work lobbying on behalf of its larger corporate members. It is now trying to help SMEs by providing more relevant training, legal and HR services.

Mr Foster said the chamber also wants to connect big corporates with smaller businesses in ways that benefit both.

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For instance, the chamber is hosting some events to help local media and creative agencies meet with marketing decision makers at the region’s large corpora- tions.

He added: “We want to create opportunities for businesses and the people in those businesses. That will be the measure of success.

“If we can create more jobs in the city and create more success within our businesses then the city will prosper and the people will prosper.”

The Leeds chamber merged with York and North Yorkshire chamber in 2008. Last year, the combined chamber made a profit of £2,387 on turnover of £2,147,669.

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Mr Foster described the merger as “a great success”. He added: “So far, we have a healthy balance sheet, we are investing in new products and services for our members.”

He said there would be prospects for similar mergers elsewhere, but added that the Leeds, York and North Yorkshire chamber is, “at this point in time, not planning to do more than work more closely with other chambers in Yorkshire and across the country”.

Mr Foster, 53, is a director at Arup, the employee-owned international engineering consultancy.

He is head of the company’s transport planning business in the UK, Middle East and Africa and is also responsible for its practices in Yorkshire and the North West.

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He paid tribute to the outgoing president, Gary Lumby MBE, of Yorkshire Bank.

Mr Foster said: “I aim to build on Gary’s successes and ensure that the chamber is relevant to all types and sizes of businesses and show how the chamber can help them become more resilient.”