BDO and the EEF held a Manufacturing Discussion Dinner on Tuesday October 10 which focused on the current state of recovery of the manufacturing sector and looked at what the government can do to accelerate this. Lee Hopley, Chief Economist at the EEF shared her thoughts and set out some views on whether the recent improvements in manufacturing signalled the beginning of sustainable recovery across the UK.

The dinner was held at Edmunds Fine Dining in Brindleyplace and was attended by a selection of the region’s CEO’s, FDs and MDs who operate within the sector.

Tom Lawton, Partner and National Head of Manufacturing at BDO said: “The debate throughout the evening was extremely interesting and positive. It re-enforced the perspective that manufacturing is a very global sector in terms of supply chain and market, and the companies represented around the table demonstrated the clear potential for manufacturing to be the key driver in the rebalancing of the UK economy.”

Richard Halstead, Regional Director - Midlands at the EEF, said: “The event highlighted the strength in depth of West Midlands manufacturing and the very positive outlook that they have for the future. The key issue now is to see these positive intentions translated into investment at both a local and national level so that we secure the rebalancing of our economy that we urgently need.”