Pete Goodrum interviews Jonathan Cage, newly appointed President of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce
As Managing Director of Create Consulting Engineers Jonathan Cage doesn’t exactly have an empty diary. And it’s going to be an even more crowded schedule for him in the coming months. A few days prior to his official appointment he found time to talk about his thoughts and aspirations for his presidency.
We begin with how he will approach the job. He has clear views on what he wants to achieve. ‘My ‘day job’ is in the construction industry and I believe that helps me see what needs to be done. My first, overriding priority is to promote Norfolk. And that goes hand in hand with improving our infrastructure. By which I don’t just mean road and rail – I most certainly mean broadband.’
‘I want to do what I call a ‘tower crane count’ he says. ‘Counting the number of sites on which tower cranes are operating is a good barometer of what’s happening in a region’s economy. There aren’t enough here, and promoting Norfolk will be very much about attracting inward investment.’
He’s forthright in his views. ‘It’s true that Norfolk is in some ways isolated. My opinion is that we can either moan about that – or get on with expressing the positives. Positives that include the facts that this is a good place to live; it has a fast moving commercial lifestyle – but one that’s conducted in an unspoiled and hugely attractive place. A place with a world class cultural life to balance the commercial demands.’
His passionate advocacy of the region is, he says, fueled by attending international construction exhibitions. ‘It’s eye opening. There is business to be done with people who don’t know where we are. We have to make our mark.’
A brief digression into his personal life produces another plank in his presidential platform. ‘I have two teenage children, so I’m acutely aware of the need to build bridges between education and commerce. I believe the Chamber can be a valuable conduit in that.’
Jonathan Cage sees his role as President as an opportunity to make an impact. ‘I want to attract people to the Chamber, and I want to attract business to Norfolk. I want both to be long term relationships.’
Reflecting for a moment he talks about the Chamber itself. ‘We’re a network of people who want to do business with each other. That’s something we must cherish. But more than that we have the drive and opportunity to enhance and promote business in and for Norfolk. We are seeing more promises being delivered, often as a result of Chamber activity. We’re often asked what we think – now I want to take our influence to another level.’
Throughout the interview, in the boardroom of his business, Jonathan Cage has never once looked at notes or hesitated in answering my questions. He’s seized the opportunity to say what he believes in.
There’s a lot of his construction engineer’s terminology in a conversation with Jonathan Cage. He speaks of infrastructure, bridges, conduits and tower cranes. In this enlightening interview he’s certainly laid clear foundations for his new role; they’re inward investment, improved infrastructure, links between education and commerce, attracting business to Norfolk and increasing the Chamber’s influence.
There’s little doubt that he will build on them to create an impactful and exciting presidency.
