Senior representatives from patrons Bright Finance, HSBC, Irwin Mitchell, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield Newspapers Ltd and Sheffield United Football Club attended the lunch at the Holiday Inn Royal Victoria and enjoyed full and open discussions with Mr Clegg on a wide range of subjects affecting the city business community.
 
The Lib Dem leader outlined three main issues he believes are of concern to Sheffield businesses – uplifting skills across the whole city, improving sub-regional transport links and diversifying the local economy to reduce the reliance on public sector employment.

In response to a question about improving skills in schools, Mr Clegg said he believed head teachers should be given more autonomy, while Chamber President Richard Wright agreed there was a need for simplifying the many educational initiatives that currently engage with employers.

The lunch event was the latest in a series offering Chamber patrons access to direct and informal discussions with key influential city figures. 

A previous luncheon heard from senior executives at Sheffield City Council, while future events are planned with local MPs Meg Munn, Angela Smith, David Blunkett and Clive Betts, and with Creative Sheffield’s senior executives.

The Chamber’s ten patrons also include East Midlands Airport Nottingham Leicester Derby, Meadowhall, MySheffieldJobs.co.uk and Westfield Health.

Organisations interested in learning more about the Chamber's patrons’ scheme should contact Chamber head of business development Paul Reeves on 0114 201 8888 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .