EMCCA’s Business Advisory Board contributes to important strategic policy work

EMCCA’s Business Advisory Board, chaired by David Williams, Chairman of Geldards and EMCCA’s Associate Member for Business, met in Chesterfield last week to discuss a range of important strategic policy areas.

The purpose of the Business Advisory Board is to provide strategy, advice and guidance to the EMCCA Board and strengthen the connection between EMCCA and local businesses in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. The Board is focused on ensuring the experience and knowledge of regional businesses, large and small, is harnessed when making decisions on the economy, skills, transport, housing and the transition to net zero.

The agenda for the meeting included EMCCA’s 2025-26 draft budget, a “deep dive” presentation into EMCCA’s emerging Local Growth Plan, proposed plans for the management of EMCCA’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund and future business support in the region.

Mayor Claire attended the meeting and talked to Board members about her ambitions for the Inclusive Growth Commission established last Autumn, in order to ensure that the region’s economic growth benefits all communities who live and work in the East Midlands.

Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward said:

“The Business Advisory Board is one of the ways that the business community can influence how we use our resources as a region – and as we set our Budget, build our Local Growth Plan and calibrate our approach to inclusive growth it was useful to have some structured time with the board to explore our priorities. The board members contributed fulsomely, and I am grateful to all of them for investing their time, expertise, and attention into EMCCA – it makes so much difference to what we can do.”

Chair of the Business Advisory Board, David Williams said:

“It was an incredibly rich discussion, with Board members making many compelling points. Their passion for business and for the region clearly came through in their comments, and their valuable insights will be taken into account as part of EMCCA’s strategic planning going forward.”

Find out more about the Business Advisory Board