Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce welcomed Joshua Reynolds, Member of Parliament for Maidenhead, to its latest Political Working Lunch, hosted by Ultra Cyber UK at its Maidenhead office.
The event brought together business leaders from across the Thames Valley to discuss the economic and political issues shaping the region, providing an opportunity for open dialogue between the local business community and its parliamentary representative.
Opening the discussion, Joshua Reynolds MP shared insights from Westminster, his role as the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Investment and Trade, and his work on the Business and Trade Select Committee. He spoke about a range of issues affecting businesses, including the rising cost of doing business, regulatory compliance, UK–EU relations and the challenges many firms face in accessing finance.
The discussion was chaired by Juliette Wilcox CMG, UK President of Ultra Cyber, with businesses raising concerns around ongoing political uncertainty, declining exports in the post-Brexit environment, the profile and future of the local screen industry, and difficulties experienced when engaging with HMRC.
Attendees also explored the Liberal Democrats’ approach to rebuilding the UK’s relationship with the European Union, and how closer cooperation could be balanced with maintaining regulatory agility. Wider discussions focused on innovative approaches to defence investment, the evolving definition of national security, and the importance of resilient supply chains.
Reflecting on the event, Joshua Reynolds MP said:
It was a pleasure to join the Chamber to hear directly from businesses at the Political Working Lunch. The mix of businesses in the room underlined the strength of many sectors in the area, including creative industries, health and life sciences, and defence. I am looking forward to further roundtables with SMEs and business leaders as we gather evidence for the Clearing the Way for Growth initiative.
Juliette Wilcox CMG said:
It was a great privilege for Ultra Cyber to host Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce and Joshua Reynolds MP, to bring together a rich mix of business, academic and government interests to identify the potential opportunities and investment required for future growth in the region.
The Chamber’s Political Working Lunch series continues to provide a valuable forum for business leaders and elected representatives to discuss the issues that matter most, ensuring the voice of Thames Valley businesses helps shape local and national policy.
