Passion In Spades Within Guildford Business Community

Published on: 18 Jul, 2013
Updated on: 22 Jul, 2013

Claire Dee.

In this regular monthly column – a must read for all those interested in Guildford business – Claire Dee reports on this year’s Hart Brown Economic Forum.

I recently attended the ninth Hart Brown Annual Economic Forum conference at the University of Surrey in Guildford along with around 400 other delegates. And once again, it was time and effort well spent.

This year the theme was The Turning Point?

Bettina Brueggemann, Hart Brown managing partner, opened proceedings and observed that while the economy has not yet turned that all-important corner, 2013 is definitely proving to be a friendlier year.

Thereafter, guest speakers included Charles Stanley chief economist and strategist, Jeremy Batstone-Carr, who acknowledged this was the worst economic recovery in recent decades. Rob Lucy, managing director of Cranleigh-based property company Claremont Prime, who shared his story of boom to bust and boom again, recognising that problems create opportunities and it’s all about learning from them. And locally renowned gaming entrepreneur, Peter Molyneux, who highlighted creativity and having fun as the driving force behind his own exceptional success.

Overall, however, the running theme throughout was passion: in spades. Without the energy and desire to make something work against all odds, the rest would not, and could not, follow. A sentiment I agree with and support, and regularly put into practice myself.

Networking over drinks at the end of the evening was equally alive with such enthusiasm and passion. Not only for the content of the conference, but for the growth and success of the event itself, which has become a firmly penned date in the Guildford business community diary.

Hart Brown has really got this nailed for which I applaud them. I therefore wait with bated breath to see how they make next year’s tenth anniversary even bigger and better and beyond!

Claire Dee runs her own communications consultancy near Guildford and is an active member of the local business community including sitting on the Surrey Chambers of Commerce Council. To learn more visit www.clairedeecommunications.com