Harrogate has welcomed Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, Dr Vince Cable for two days of Department for BIS (Business, Innovation and Skills) activity in the Local Area.
Having recently played host to royalty and national politicians over the Tour de France weekend, Harrogate was yet again in the spotlight when Dr Vince Cable, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), visited on Sunday 27 and Monday 28 July 2014.
On Sunday evening Dr Vince Cable addressed business leaders from across Harrogate District at a dinner at the Old Swan Hotel, highlighting the work he has been engaged in for over four years as Secretary of State for BIS. He focussed on the Industrial Strategy he has put in place to ensure sustainability of policies affecting businesses and a long term focus that should get the UK completely back on track. This strategy includes sorting out the banking system, so that there is more choice for customers of where to bank, and that the “casino” style of investment banking is totally separated from the retail side of banking, to reduce the problems that contributed to the
financial crash in 2008.
Helen Flynn, Prospective MP (Lib Dem) for Harrogate & Knaresborough, who had organised the event, said: This was a superb opportunity for businesses and others in the Harrogate District to listen to the vital work Dr Cable has been involved in at BIS to re-balance the economy. As an economist, Dr Cable was able to give an fascinating insight into the origins of the crash in 2008 and how economic policy needed to change going forwards so that this does not happen again. It was great that Dr Cable could find the time to talk to a group of businesses here in Harrogate District and answer questions from the audience. He found it very valuable listening to our experiences and issues here on the ground in North Yorkshire.
On Monday, Dr Cable visited EnviroVent Ltd, an award-winning Harrogate manufacturer of ventilation equipment that addresses the issues posed by poor air quality. He had a tour of the manufacturing facility and then went on to formally open the new distribution site, adjacent to the manufacturing site at Hornbeam park. The company has recently doubled its floor area, through adding the new distribution site.
The company hopes to double its turnover to over £40 million over the next 5 years. Dr Cable was particularly impressed by the company’s focus on developing its workforce, and its strong commitment to the local community.
