Manufacturers get a new powerful voice

Jim Davison has been appointed by EEF to head up the support it provides to manufacturers across the region, which includes Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire, including Milton Keynes.

As the organisation’s new region director, Mr Davison will be responsible for member services but he will also represent the needs of industry to policy-makers, with the aim of helping to shape a business environment that creates a more balanced economy.

Mr Davison said: “Manufacturing in the south east has a key role to play in delivering economic prosperity and jobs.

“This region is home to the largest number of manufacturing companies in the country and as such it is vital that the voice of industry is heard at all levels of government, particularly as we focus on creating a sustainable recovery during 2011.”

Mr Davison, from Hungerford, is one of the region’s leading manufacturing experts, having previously been operations manager at EEF and the leader of a team of specialists delivering a wide range of business improvement services to the sector.

He said: “The year ahead will certainly be challenging for manufacturers, but EEF research suggests that industry will likely outperform the rest of the economy over the next 12 months.”

EEF exists for the benefit of its members, providing support in HR and employment law, health safety and environment, information and research and business improvement.

It is estimated that across the EEF South East region, which includes London, the South and the East of England, there are 45,000 manufacturers employing 687,000 people and contributing £44bn to the economy.