SEEDA boss tours town

The day started with a presentation on skills for business by Judith Armstrong, principal of Basingstoke College of Technology, at a working breakfast at Chute House, the new higher education facility run by King Alfred's College.

Professor Chris Turner, vice principal of King Alfred's and president of the North Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, was joined by representatives from key employers, including Eli Lilly, Winterthur Life and Festival Place, to update Mr Brathwaite on the position regarding skills, employee retention and recruitment in the area.

Next on the agenda for the SEEDA chairman was the European headquarters of pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly at its Kingsclere Road manufacturing plant, where he was shown the state-of-the-art packaging facilities.

Barbara Bryant, chief executive of the NHCCI, which facilitated the visit in conjunction with the Hampshire Economic Partnership, said: "This was Mr Brathwaite's first visit to Basingstoke, which is home to many household names and now has a town centre to match the international quality of its businesses."

Mr Brathwaite went on to visit Andover and then spoke at a Chamber of Commerce lunch at the Holiday Inn at Farnborough. There he explained to Chamber members that he holds a special brief on science and technology when he represents SEEDA as one of nine regional development associations in regular meetings with ministers, including the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

And he challenged members: "What would you say to Gordon Brown if you were meeting him next week?"

The main issue raised by members was the overheated housing market and the problems it brings to the area, together with fears that the wrong action by the Chancellor could cause more difficulties if the market collapses.

Mr Brathwaite went on to tour Aldershot and Farnborough, where he went up the new control tower at TAG Aviation's business flying facility.