The guest speaker line-up was completed by Chamber President Richard Wright, whose roles include Sector Champion for Advanced Engineering and Metals and flood tzar. 

One of the Chamber’s leading annual events, the annual dinner attracted an audience of more than 500 guests, made up of business leaders from across the city region and a host of dignitaries including South Yorkshire’s Lord Lieutenant David Moody and High Sheriff Jonathan Hunt OBE, as well as the city’s Master Cutler Gordon Bridge and Lord Mayor Cllr Arthur Dunsworth.

Representatives from the Chamber’s ten patrons also attended the event held at Sheffield’s Cutlers Hall. Chief Executive Sir Bob Kerslake described leaving the City Council for his new role as "an enormous wrench but also a huge opportunity" and paid tribute to the closer relationship which had developed between the council and the city business community over the last ten years in which Sheffield Chamber had played a part.

"This has been founded on a relationship of trust and a closer understanding of our different roles," he said.

He also told guests the city had made a lot of progress over the last decade, adding: "Sheffield has seized its opportunity and made the most of it."

Rohit Talwar told the event: “As business leaders we need to recognise that our planning assumptions can be turned on their heads in a matter of days. Having a good ‘Plan A’ is no longer enough. We need Plan A, B, C and D and we need to be ready to respond whichever develops.”

Richard Wright said: “Let’s not be under any illusion – we live in a competitive world and this region is in competition with every other region across the globe. It is up to us now to provide a great environment in which our businesses and our people can thrive.”

As flood tzar, Mr Wright also shared his wish for all companies to do more to mitigate the effects of 2007’s fIooding and lambasted insurance companies for the steep insurance premiums some city companies were facing.

Chamber Chief Executive Nigel Tomlinson said: “The cream of Sheffield’s business community enjoyed this high profile and traditional event which had a wonderful blend of heritage and innovation.

“The annual dinner paid tribute to the city’s heritage thanks to Sir Bob’s decade at the helm of the council and offered a unique opportunity to acknowledge his work and say goodbye.

“But it’s equally appealing that a January event was able to kick off the Chamber’s events calendar and the new business year with a speaker like Rohit whose speech left members with plenty of inspiration for the future.”

Dignitaries
Back row (L-R) Chamber chief executive Nigel Tomlinson, Richard Caborn MP, Prof Philip Jones (Sheffield Hallam University), Meg Munn MP, Prof Peter Fleming (Sheffield University) and Clive Betts MP.

Front row (L-R) Lord Lieutenant of South Yorkshire David Moody, High Sheriff of South Yorkshire Jonathan Hunt, Sir Bob Kerslake, Chamber President Richard Wright, guest speaker Rohit Talwar, Master Cutler Gordon Bridge and Lord Mayor of Sheffield Cllr Arthur Dunworth.

Patrons
Front row (L-R) Chamber President Richard Wright, Westfield Health's Jill Davies, Sheffield Hallam University's John Palmer, Meadowhall's Mohamed Dajani, Sheffield United's Andy Daykin, My Job Group's Glenn Chapman and Chamber chief executive Nigel Tomlinson.

Back row (L-R) Irwin Mitchell's Nick Bates, Sheffield Newspapers' Mark Rodgers, Bright Finance's Paul Hancock and HSBC's Martin Nattrass.