The man who guided England to Rugby World Cup victory told Coventry and Warwickshire companies that success in business hinges on the adoption of new technology.
Former England Rugby coach Sir Clive Woodward delivered a keynote speech at the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce annual conference.
Woodward, who worked industry before becoming a full time coach, ended a day which was dominated by devolution, new technology and the outlook for the regional, national and world economy in the final event held in the Rugby Fanzone.
He said: “I have always said that whoever wins in technology tends to win in business so it was great to speak to an audience interested in growing business through technology.
“Business has always been fascinated by sport but I believe sport has a lot to learn from business too so it was great to hear from all the other speakers and industry leaders on the day too.”
Woodward was joined by BBC’s Tanya Beckett and MPs Marcus Jones and Mark Pawsey as well as 350 local business people.
Two panel debates – one on devolution and one on business in the digital age – included contributions from Coventry City Councillor Kevin Maton, Rugby Borough Council leader Michael Stokes, Prime Accountants Group’s Kevin Johns, LEP representative David Cockcroft, CityFibre’s Andrew Starnes, Twycross Zoo’s Sharon Redrobe, PET-Xi’s Fleur Sexton and Emerald Group’s Sarah Windrum.
The event was facilitated Dr Adam Marshall, executive director policy and external affairs for the British Chambers of Commerce. He also discussed the economic recovery as well as asking the 350 business people in the region to indicate their thoughts on a range of topics with a show of red and green cards.
On devolution, most firms suggested that more information was needed for companies to have an informed opinion on the topic.
Marcus Jones told the conference: “For too long, there has been a gap between the north and the south. The economy has been imbalanced – London has dominated to the detriment of other regions.
“We knew that had to change. We have supported LEPs, Growth Deals and have given local areas the chance to drive growth.
“Now, through decentralisation, areas are able to find creative solutions to their own issues. Nothing is being imposed on local areas – decisions should be from the bottom up not the top down.”
Jones followed Tanya Beckett, who told the audience that her message on the economy was one of optimism and said that the world was only at the beginning of the digital age. She said it was a ‘new industrial revolution’ that hasn’t yet effected productivity but that it will be the next step change.
The event was sponsored by the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership and CityFibre, the company behind the Coventry CORE gigabit internet speeds in Coventry.
Andrew Starnes, of CityFibre, said: “There are still companies out there who don’t have fast enough internet speeds and that is where we can make a difference. The fact that the Chamber dedicated its conference to growth through technology shows just how important an issue this is.”
Chamber chief executive Louise Bennett said: “It was a great chance to look at the opportunities and challenges facing the region’s businesses and looking, particularly, at how technology can benefit all sectors.
“It was also a chance to highlight how the Chamber can play a key role in supporting businesses’ future growth. We are here to serve the best interests of our members and the local business community.”
The conference was closed by Chamber president Peter Burns, who is stepping down from the role this month.
He said: “This marks the near-end of my two year term office as the president of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce and I am certainly going out on a high in light of this brilliant event.”
