It’s that time of year, when Business Link Magazine invites the region’s business leaders to offer up their predictions for the year ahead.
It has become something of a tradition, given that we’ve been doing this now for over 30 years.
Here we speak to Marc Abrams, Nottingham Office Senior Partner at KPMG UK.
Getting back to sustained economic growth will be a defining issue in 2025 and with the new East Midlands Combined County Authority in power, there’s plenty to play for. Access to its £4billion spending pot will help to boost growth opportunities for our region’s great businesses and universities, and bring the East Midlands onto a more equal footing with other devolution areas.
As home to some of the country’s leading manufacturers, how the East Midlands embraces the green agenda to develop its manufacturing strengths will be essential in driving change and boosting our vibrant health and agri-tech sectors. As a region, we already have much to be proud of in this space, and as the new Combined Authority grows and develops, the role of local businesses will be critical to its success.
Innovation in tech will also continue to accelerate at pace in 2025, with generative AI leading the charge both at home and in the workplace. Technology has the power to revolutionise industries across the East Midlands, and those businesses that are bold and invest in digital transformation will be best-placed to capitalise on new opportunities.
The digital economy will continue to expand, driven by e-commerce, digital payments, and online services. Every new year brings new opportunities, and ambitious businesses are already making moves to enhance their digital presence and leverage technology to reach and serve customers effectively – for those that follow suit, the sky is the limit.