In this episode of Summed Up podcast, we sat down with two leading voices from the Midlands business community, Gavin West, VAT & Indirect Taxes Partner at PKF Smith Cooper, and Rick Blackmore, Director of Policy and Insight at East Midlands Chamber, for a candid conversation about the realities, challenges and opportunities of doing business in the region today.

Timings:

• [00:00:00] Introduction and overview of the Midlands
• [00:00:24] Guest introductions and how they support Midlands businesses
• [00:02:35] What makes the Midlands unique as a business region
• [00:05:43] Key strengths and competitive advantages of Midlands businesses
• [00:08:39] Biggest challenges facing organisations in the current economy
• [00:11:25] Impact of rising costs, employment trends and AI adoption
• [00:13:18] Government policy, taxation and barriers to growth
• [00:14:14] Trade challenges, Brexit impact and export complexity
• [00:18:15] Global opportunities and international market access
• [00:20:07] Infrastructure, Freeport developments and regional investment
• [00:24:33] Inward investment and global perception of the Midlands
• [00:29:22] Emerging growth sectors and future opportunities
• [00:33:02] Mindset, strategy and barriers to business growth
• [00:39:16] Rapid recommendations – advice for business leaders
• [00:40:40] Closing reflections and key takeaways

This episode explores what it really takes to do business and drive growth in the Midlands today. Gavin and Rick share a grounded view of the region’s strengths, from its entrepreneurial mindset and deep talent pool to its global supply chains and infrastructure. They also unpack the real challenges businesses are facing, including rising costs, policy pressures and the complexities of international trade. Throughout the conversation, they highlight where the biggest opportunities lie right now, from emerging sectors to global markets, and offer practical insight on how business leaders can think more strategically, invest with confidence and make the most of what the Midlands has to offer.