Andrew Marsh, Chair of Vistage of North East and Northumberland, NED, Entrepreneur, and mentoring facilitator of a number for peer groups for the region's leaders brought an innovative event to the region that went so well, it is to be repeated in 2025. Here Andrew talks us through the event and what you need to do to be on next year's guest list!
“I’m wondering if any of the Budget conversations around the region gave the injection of positivity that the Vistage members and esteemed guests at our post Budget event enjoyed?
“It was an absolute delight to host the Vistage North East economic debate, with Roger Martin-Fagg visiting us as our economic expert guest speaker.
“Roger is a renowned behavioural economist, who combines insight into the financial and policy worlds with management strategy. Specialising in making economic activity, trends and indicators understandable, cut through the jargon revealing what the numbers, market shifts and policy announcements really meant for us and our businesses.”
Held at PROTO in Gateshead with media partner, NET, the event was kindly sponsored by Raymond James, Monument and Cascade Cash Management.
Andrew continued: “Following a light breakfast over networking and a warm welcome from PROTO where we were told all about the studio we were holding the event in, John Duns from NET said a few words to celebrate the relaunch of Bdaily following having recently acquired it. He also introduced us to the newly branded N magazine which is brim full of the region’s business news.
“I then took to the floor to welcome my Vistage members assembled from my four peer groups and guests invited by myself, the sponsors and NET. It was amazing to see so many decision makers from our region in the room all keen to hear Roger’s perspectives the day after the Budget announcement but none of us could have expected the injection of positivity that we received.
“Having met each other to network over breakfast, the first 30 minutes of general conversation had been centred around what the Budget announcement was going to cost us. There was a negativity and concern around the financial impact for employers and a general feeling that this Budget wasn’t going to be helpful for many.
“However, whilst there was a realism in Roger’s presentation as he explained shifts and patterns, the overriding message was one that this is best situation we could have been in. His message was that as well as challenges there is a huge amount of opportunity facing us as long as we invest! He covered how our pool of resource is reducing as the working population age groups shrink but helped us focus on how we can work smarter to get results, invest in growth and create our own prospects. He demonstrated economic impact over the years and encouraged us to brave in our decision making.
“He really made us think, which was echoed in the questions from the room as we closed the event on a panel discussion that also included Gary Fawcett of Raymond James, Monument and Dr Emma Black of Cascade Cash Management. Again the overriding theme was to not get caught up the national negativity, especially from media channels or social media, and to focus on cracking on!
“What I took away with me, was the shift in the room’s thinking. From concerned to energised. From disappointed to thoughtful. From frustrated to focused. Roger is an excellent speaker – together with the panel there was definitely the right balance of expertise and experience to bolster confidence and re-instil belief that as a region
we’ve got this!
“I’m over the moon to share that Roger enjoyed being in the North East so much that he has agreed to be held accountable a year from now – save the date for November 13th 2025, when we will re-meet to evaluate the impact made in the coming 12 months!”
Feedback on the event included:
“Very Insightful”
“Really thought provoking – came away feeling that whilst there’s challenges if we look at things differently we can also find opportunity”
“A really interesting event. Roger provided a unique insight into the state of the economy, and it was refreshing to hear some positive news too!”
“Thanks for the invite, It was a very worthwhile event, and Roger was excellent with his knowledgeable insights.”
“I came away feeling a lot more positive than what’s been portrayed in the press…”
If you would like to attend next year’s event and other similar events contact Andrew.Marsh@VistageChair.co.uk