Southampton: Grant Thornton hosts 'Growing pains’ event for region’s manufacturers

Senior leaders from the region’s manufacturing sector came together last week for the ‘Growing Pains’ breakfast event, led by business and financial adviser Grant Thornton, Santander and CMA Recruitment.

The event, which was held at the Ageas Bowl, saw 18 local business leaders come together to discuss unlocking potential for growth and the key challenges facing the manufacturing sector.

Manufacturers from across the county were joined by John Williams from Santander, who led a talk about its new offering, Breakthrough, which aims to help businesses realise their potential.

Amanda James, associate director at Grant Thornton, led a discussion about key issues and challenges facing the manufacturing sector. As a result of a survey carried out by the firm last year, she highlighted seven key areas of concern:
• Access to funding and grants
• Change management
• Talent recruitment and retention
• Tax
• Succession planning
• Property issues
• Energy costs.

Following the presentation, the floor was opened for a lively discussion about common themes driving change, the sector’s demographic and skill shortages and the shift in the current economic environment.

James challenged business representatives with the question: “what’s your future perspective?” In 2013, Grant Thornton embarked on a project ‘Future Perspectives’, which took a view on the issues and trends that will shape UK businesses and their place in the world between now and 2028.