News & views

28 January 2026

On 26 January 2026 at Burleigh Court Hotel in Loughborough, LBV hosted a highly engaging session featuring an informative and impactful presentation by Professor Eric Pentecost from Loughborough University, alongside insights from Steve Grubb (Director, Commercial Banking, NatWest) and Mukesh Bulsara (Partner, Coadax LLP).

The session provided members with an in-depth understanding of the UK economic outlook, business growth and finance available. Topics included fiscal policy, productivity, access to finance, sectoral growth, and structural challenges facing both the public and private sectors.

Expert insight from panellists

Professor Eric Pentecost delivered a comprehensive overview of the UK economy, highlighting slow but steady growth forecasts for 2026. He explained potential risks, including global shocks such as geopolitical uncertainty, and structural challenges posed by public sector expansion, productivity stagnation, and talent retention.

Professor Pentecost also emphasised the importance of human capital and service sector strengths, highlighting innovative collaborations between universities and international partners as a model for retaining talent and increasing productivity.

Steve Grubb, Director, Commercial Banking, NatWest provided insights on business finance and lending, clarifying how banks support growth while managing risk.

He addressed sector-specific lending considerations, noting growth in defence technology and the cautious but supportive approach to SMEs, particularly regarding long-term planning and financial management.

Mukesh Bulsara, Partner at Coadex LLP contributed perspectives on private sector resilience and investment, highlighting the opportunities created by foreign investment in UK businesses:

He also addressed workforce development, emphasising the role of universities in equipping graduates with practical, commercially valuable skills.

An engaged audience

The audience was highly engaged, posing questions about fiscal policy, incentives for SMEs, public sector growth, pensions, skills retention, and long-term predictability for business planning. Members highlighted the challenges faced by SMEs with turnovers below £1 million, rising wage costs, and regulatory uncertainty.

Sue Tilley, Chair of LBV said; “The level of engagement in the room was striking. The questions from our members showed just how much appetite there is for informed, honest discussion about growth, productivity, and the realities facing businesses on the ground. We could quite easily have turned this into a full-day conference.”

Chair’s acknowledgment

Sue Tilley expressed thanks to the speakers and the audience:

“My thanks to Professor Eric Pentecost, Steve Grubb and Mukesh Bulsara for such an insightful and accessible session – and to our members for bringing real energy, challenge, and lived experience into the conversation. This is exactly the kind of dialogue that helps shape better outcomes for business and the wider economy.”

Sue emphasised the ongoing role of LBV in fostering meaningful dialogue, business engagement, and policy insight.

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