Rob runs Portcullis Club business event

Rob arranged a new business event on Friday. The event provides a forum for businesses to hear the views of influential policymakers and an opportunity to question them on key economic and business matters. It also acts as an opportunity for businesses to discuss crucial business issues affecting Reading’s economy with their local MP and other business people.

The guest speaker at the event was Matthew Hancock MP. Mr Hancock, Member of Parliament for West Suffolk, was formerly special economic advisor to both George Osborne and David Cameron. Mr Hancock gave a speech on economic growth and the challenges facing Britain’s economy, before taking questions from the audience alongside Rob.

Nearly 30 local business leaders congregated at the Microsoft Campus for the event, which even included a famous face. Amongst the audience was Sir John Madejski, who was quick to question Mr Hancock and Rob on employment, the budget deficit and global economic growth, before the discussion moved onto bank lending for Small and Medium Enterprises and the difficulties in exporting goods and services overseas.

Rob said: “Coming from an entrepreneurial background myself, I understand the value of a thriving business community and I am delighted to see a strong turn out from a wide range of business leaders from across my constituency.

“The Portcullis Club events will encourage the business community in Reading East to be forthright in their views and work together to take on business challenges facing my constituency, which will help boost the local economy. It is also a chance for me and other influential colleagues to pass on feedback to Government with regard to the issues raised at the events.”

Rob plans to run regular Portcullis Club events and any business leaders who are interested in attending future events are encouraged to contact his constituency office for further information. The next event is on Friday 20 July with David Gauke MP, Exchequer Secretary to The Treasury.