Businessplus Winter 2015 | Page 28

L-R: Bradford MPs Philip Davies, David Ward and Gerry Sutcliffe with the President Paul Mackie York President Suzanne Burnett The event was sponsored by property recruitment specialists Spectrum Funny man Alun Cochrane Power, politics, producing and patience: Annual Dinner messages The economic strength of the North and its intentions to wrestle powers and responsibilities from London were given the thumbs up by the national Chamber chief at Bradford’s annual dinner. John Longworth, Director-General of the British Chambers of Commerce told the audience that, with an election just around the corner, there has been no better time to state the case for devolution. MPs of all parties are chasing votes and a proposal for a ‘Northern powerhouse’ has been made by the current government. Mr Longworth said that Britain’s withdrawal from the EU, though unlikely, would not be disastrous as international trade deals would continue in the future as they have in the past. Plan for the long-term was his parting message. 28 In his presidential address, Paul Mackie, diagnosed with prostate cancer in autumn 2014, mixed business with personal when he spoke of “recovery, patience and positivity”, referring to his own circumstances as well as the economy. Collaborating with others would be the key to future economic prosperity, said Paul, who stressed his determination to keep playing his part “when I’m back to my fighting weight.” More than £2,500 was raised for the Chamber charity, One in a Million, through a raffle with various donations: ■■ Yorkshire Bank’s Clayton Birchall won a Felt road bike plus additional Tour de France memorabilia, donated by the Business Enterprise Agency ■■ Sohan Panesar of PEC has a champagne meal for two at Napoleon’s Casino ■■ Eddison’s John Padgett took away an Asus tablet computer, provided by Chamber International Keynote speaker John Longworth, British Chambers of Commerce The new-in-post Chairman of the Board for the new Producer City project, Lord Kamlesh Patel, joined other VIPs, including three of the District’s MPs, for the evening, which culminated with comedian Alun Cochrane causing some belly laughs. ANNUAL DINNER CHARITY Corporate tables were taken by Bradford College, Business Enterprise Agency, Christeyns, LCF Law and Schofield Sweeney. West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce ■■ RBS guest Simon Rossiter of Child & Co Chartered Accountants collected an overnight stay with dinner and breakfast at Cedar Court Hotel ■■ Arena Group’s Alex Brook gets a corporate photography package, thanks to Roger Moody Photography ■■ Paul Diakiw of Walker Singleton was treated to afternoon tea for four with the Midland Hotel. ANNUAL DINNER 29