Nicholas Soames MP and Leader of Mid Sussex District Council, Garry Wall, met leaders of some of Haywards Heath’s largest employers at a briefing organised by the Haywards Heath and District Businesses Association (HHDBA) on Friday.

Mike Leonard, CEO of First Central Group, hosted the meeting and was joined by senior executives from Europ Assist, Royal Haskoning, Venture Finance, Commercial Management and Sightsavers International. John de Mierre, Chairman and Peter Sutton, Vice Chairman, represented HHDBA.

Nicholas Soames reported on the progress being made by the Coalition in implementing its programme, emphasising the importance of the private sector in leading the country into recovery. He also said that the global economy presented even the smallest company with potential opportunities.

The District Council was committed to promoting the local economy, Garry Wall told the meeting, and he said he was keen to develop a strong relationship with all of the District’s businesses. He hoped that an expanding Gatwick Diamond, of which Mid Sussex was an important part, would be recognised as one of the new Local Economic Partnerships planned by the Government.

Nicholas Soames said; “I was very grateful to the Haywards Heath and District Businesses Association for arranging this exceptionally useful gathering of some of our bigger companies in Haywards Heath. It was a very informative meeting and I learned a great deal about some of their corporate needs and anxieties and indeed their very exciting ambitions for the future.”

“Developing the local economy so that it can provide more business opportunities and jobs is a core aim of the HHDBA,” said John de Mierre. “We were very pleased to be able to arrange this meeting to bring together some of the Town’s leading employers with Nicholas Soames and Garry Wall as part of what we hope will become regular contact between us all.”

Commenting on the meeting, 1st Central’s Mike Leonard said “We were delighted to be able to host the Breakfast Briefing, which was an excellent opportunity for us and all who attended to discuss the future of our business community. We found the meeting very informative and are looking forward to continuing our involvement with HHDBA.”