Chester Business Club’s Devolution Dinner Brings Together The Business Community

Business leaders in Chester came together to debate the proposed devolution of Cheshire and Warrington and the election of a regional Mayor, during a dinner held at The Queen at Chester Hotel.

Guests at the event, organised by the Chester Business Club (CBC), discussed the pros and cons of an issue which CBC chair Jan Chillery said “had the backing of the business community”.

A quick poll of those present also showed the great majority supported devolution of Cheshire and Warrington.

The evening kicked off with Gemma Davies, the Director of Economy and Housing and Rose McArthur, Director of Transport, Highways, Infrastructure and Climate Change, both from Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWACC). They delivered short presentations about devolution before a three-course dinner.

During the meal panellists dined with members and guests, and moved tables at the end of each course which enabled them to chat and canvas opinions from all present.

After dinner guests had the chance to ask questions and debate with other attendees during two separate panel Q&A sessions.

The first panel was drawn from politics and the public sector and saw Ms Davies and Ms McArthur, joined by Cllr Richard Beacham (Lab), the Deputy Chair of CWACC and the Leader’s Champion of Chester’s One City Plan. Also on the panel was Cllr Adrian Waddelove (Cons), the leader of the Conservative Group, who also works in public affairs in the energy sector.

The second panel was made up of private sector business figures who boast a wealth of experience in areas like tourism, education, arts and health.

Attendees heard from Jamie Christon, DL, the CEO of Chester Zoo and Chair of Marketing Cheshire; Annabel Turpin, CEO of Storyhouse and Co-Director of Future Arts Centres; Dr Paul Bissell, Professor of Public Health and Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research & Innovation at the University of Chester; and Trevor Brocklebank whose wide ranging portfolio include the Liverpool-Manchester Railway Board, co-founded Home Instead and has been a NED at the Mid-Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust.

Commenting, Jan Chillery, Chair of the CBC, said: “Devolution is an important topic which would have a profound effect on our sub-region. This dinner was a brilliant platform for views to be expressed and discussed in a respectful and intelligent way.

“We were also lucky enough to enjoy the event in a fantastic setting and in the company of wonderful hosts at the Queen of Chester Hotel

Caroline Barnes, Senior Events and Meeting Co-ordinator at the recently refurbished hotel, said: “We were proud to support the Chester Business Club Dinner: Devolution Dialogue with a complimentary fizz reception.  It was great to see business minds from across the region come together to exchange ideas and discuss such an important topic that impacts our shared future.”

A full report of the evening and some of points raised can be found by visiting the Chester Business Club website. https://chesterbusinessclub.co.uk/chester-business-club-