Lincolnshire businesses praised for continued innovation in uncertain times

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Stephen Martin, Institute of Directors (IoD) Director General, spoke up for Greater Lincolnshire businesses and leaders, praising their innovation and resilience in uncertain trading times last week.

He was addressing leaders and guests at the IoD Greater Lincolnshire annual business lunch, held at the Bentley Hotel, Lincoln on Friday, December 7, when he revealed the results of a new IoD national Policy Voice survey.

Stephen Martin, himself a former construction group leader in North Lincolnshire and IoD East Midlands Director of the Year, before taking up his current role, said: “IoD members are many times more likely to trade abroad than the average business.

Dawn Barron and IoD Director General Stephen Martin pulling a cracker and sharing seasonal good business wishes.

“For those that do, or for those with international supply chains, the uncertainty around what trade will look like come April 2019 is more than a thorn in the side.

“And many more members have faced a lack of clarity over regulations – how they will be governed, and what they will be. Just as importantly, Brexit has taken up the bandwidth of politicians at a time when the focus could have been on bolstering our skills system, our infrastructure, and devolution.”

Speaking to an audience of 130 guests, Stephen Martin added: “So at a time when politics seems forever stuck in a stalemate, what have IoD members been doing? Have you been sitting on your hands, and waiting for the political chaos to subside? Of course not.

“In fact, nothing could be further from the truth. You have been busy finding new ways, despite the odds, to grow, to develop, and to innovate.”

The latest survey carried out just a few weeks ago, revealed around half of IoD members nationally have introduced a new product or service to the market in the past 24 months.

Stephen Martin commented:“Every new idea that a business takes time to develop is a risk. Every new avenue that you explore does not come without some cost.

“So to be continuing to move forward at a time of such flux is truly impressive.”

Gary Headland, IoD Greater Lincolnshire Chair and CEO of the award-winning Lincoln College Group, welcomed Stephen Martin to the event and outlined 2019 IoD events designed to support Lincolnshire business leaders.

Guests also heard from another inspirational Lincolnshire leader: Dawn Barron, Founder of Human Alchemy, Board Trustee of the YMCA and Nomad Trust.

The event sponsor was jch:wealth management, whose MD John Hebblethwaite is an IoD Greater Lincolnshire committee member .