When support for the old purple and white Industry Forum website was suddenly withdrawn in July this year, the Forum was faced with a problem often faced by non-technology companies: how to manage an urgent project based on new and unfamiliar technology.

Fortunately, help was at hand from the Forum’s newest member, Acuvate Software, a global information technology services provider founded in 2006, headquartered in Hyderabad, India and with presence in USA, UK & Netherlands.

Acuvate CEO, Sandeep Goel, had previously worked with Industry Forum Chair, Rod Dowler on a software project in the .com boom of 2000. Rod contacted Sandeep for advice and he replied ‘Anil Kakaria (head of sales and operations for Acuvate in Europe) will take care of your new website’.

Jagan Jami (Head of Acuvate presales and delivery, Europe), quickly assimilated the requirements of the Forum and then a small team in Hyderabad took over the interactive design and build process, working with Forum Director, Jo Wyer, to develop the fresh new look of our new website www.industry-forum.org

Although a tiny project, this story highlights how trade with India can be expanded further by a continued focus on software technology at which many Indian companies excel. Acuvate will work with us as we continue to focus the Forum increasingly on technology companies that are the key to expanding the growth and competitiveness of the UK economy. Further information about Acuvate can be found at www.acuvate.com

With a new vote on EU membership now inevitable and with so much hanging on the outcome, the Industry Forum is pushing hard to discuss and understand the issues.

On 8^th September, Alan Johnson MP, the head of Labour’s pro-EU campaign, led a great Industry Forum discussion on ‘Why we should say ‘Yes’ to Europe. A few days later, Rod Dowler was interviewed about EU membership on Share Radio and gave his views based on working in Europe and for a number of parts of the European Commission. https://audioboom.com/boos/3559023-should-businesses-support-eu-membership-roddowler-industryforum-on-the-eureferendum

At the Labour Conference, in Brighton, one of the first fringe meetings was a ‘Rally for yes!’ Alan Johnsons’ natural enthusiasm shone out of the enveloping gloom of the Odeon Brighton as he kicked off a strong line of MPs, MEPs and trade union people supporting EU membership while keen to keep social benefits as well single market benefits.

The atmosphere at the Conservative conference in Manchester was more siege-like given the heavy presence of protestors outside the secure zone. This did not affect a great POLICY FACTOR! meeting on ‘How can Cameron win in Europe?’ Charles Grant of Centre for European Reform kicked off with a moderate and well argued pro-EU introduction. David Lidington, Minister for Europe, and Lord Borwick gave some fascinating insights into the objectives and complexities of the pre-referendum negotiations.

Last week, the ‘Britain Stronger in Europe’ campaign launched under the leadership of Lord Stuart Rose. The moderate and well-honed arguments of this business-backed alliance were hardly novel but did highlight the scale of our present business involvement with Europe and the uncertain nature of the alternatives.

Our conclusions from these initial campaign skirmishes are that four key questions stand out:

How could the shortcomings of the EU be fixed without losing its benefits?
What would be the realistic economic outcome of leaving the EU and what is a likely period of adjustment?
What are the geopolitical risks associated with a less-united Europe and how might they affect economic security?
Assuming a vote to remain, what would be needed to make the EU economically more successful and politically more attractive?

At present, the answers to these questions are not clear. Throughout the period until the referendum, therefore, the Industry Forum will be probing these, and related questions and inviting leading policy makers and commentators to help explore the key issues and help come to the best and most objective conclusion for the UK.

Some implications for the European Union of the 2015 Mary Meeker report on Internet trends - A report by Cameron Thompson at the Global Policy Institute

Download your copy here: Is Europe losing the Internet race

In September 2015 the Industry Forum organised a lively panel discussion, hosted by techUK, on the challenges faced by legacy banks. The speakers were: Keith Saxton, Chair of the techUK Financial Services Council, Josh Ryan-Collins, Associate Director, Economy and Finance, New Economics Foundation and Travers Clarke-Walker, Chief Marketing Officer – International Group, Fiserv.

Download your copy of the presentation here: Legacy Banks Slides

Man-Made: Why so few women are in positions of power by Eva Tutchell and John Edmonds

A summary, by the authors of their recently published book which shows that, despite years of apparent progress, real power in business and politics is still predominantly in the hands of men.

Download a copy of Man-Made Summary

In June 2015 Andrew Smith, formerly Chief Economist at KPMG, gave a detailed analysis of the overall economic landscape and how things could play out for the UK.

Download a copy of the slides here: Economic Prospects for the UK - 15 June 2015