Digital Planning joined a panel discussion of innovation and growth at the regional Future Flux conference at De Montfort University.
Co-founder James Ferraby was invited by East Midlands Chamber to speak at the event, which brought together business leaders, policymakers and academics from across the region.
During several panels, presentations, and speeches they discussed the region’s tough economic conditions, including skills shortages, squeezed margins and cautious investment.
Meanwhile, insight was provided on the national outlook in relation to inflation, interest rates, and growth from Bank of England agent Dr Jamie Jordan and other experts.
The focus of James’s panel was the role of research and knowledge transfer in supporting innovation and productivity gains.
And James suggested that it was organisational culture which presented the biggest barrier to innovation among SMEs. This could be addressed by having a culture that allows – and even rewards – failure so that people are encouraged to try new things and keep innovating.
Meanwhile, James also questioned the idea that external investment is a ‘golden bullet’, arguing that business leaders must first be willing to invest in themselves and their own businesses. He suggested that innovation outcomes are often more related to time and attitude than money.
In terms of research, James described how enabling others in his company to build university partnerships has been crucial in freeing space for directors and empowering colleagues to create additional innovation capacity.
Such Digital Planning higher education partnerships have included:
- Hackathons with Birmingham City University and Derby University
- Industrial research partnership with Derby University
- Speaking at international conferences with the likes of the UAE-based Gulf Medical University.
The Future Flux conference itself focused on how to unlock regional growth through innovation, skills, and stronger partnerships between universities, business and the Chamber, positioning the East Midlands as a key UK growth engine despite ongoing uncertainty.
It is one of a series of themed conferences that East Midlands Chamber – Digital Planning’s strategic partner – runs across the course of the year.
James was then interviewed by BBC Politics East Midlands after the event about the Budget – which was presented in London two days earlier. The interview was shown on BBC One on Sunday 30 November.
