Digital revolution is in our hands

DEAR Editor, I was heartened to hear more details of the Government’s new industrial strategy. I recently met business leaders – all highly qualified chartered directors from the West Midlands – and we rapidly concluded that, while Brexit will pose challenges, these pale in comparison with the digital revolution that is set to disrupt the workplace massively in coming years. The advance of technology across the globe will create far greater upheaval for British businesses than any restrictions around access to the single market.

The progress in areas such as automation, robotics and cyber security is likely to mean that the job market changes beyond all recognition in a generation. We must make it easier for people of all ages to be trained to take advantage of the opportunities ahead.

Despite this, digital advancement in Britain has lagged behind many parts of the world.

There is so much ahead for the UK that is beyond our ultimate control. However, it is within the gift of the UK Government to ensure we are on the front foot with our response.

We now have the means to drastically improve our digital infrastructure and to make “cutting edge” the norm for the UK, without the need for any trade deal; in and of itself, this would drive our productivity, FDI and the skills economy – a no-brainer, surely?

Dr Jason Wouhra, Chairman, Institute of Directors West Midlands