Channel leaders create new Government wish list

Channel business leaders share perspectives on what they believe should be at the heart of the new Government's digital strategy and economic growth plans, highlighting infrastructure, skills, regulation and security as priorities.

CONOR CALLANAN
CEO, CORE TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS

I’m optimistic about the new Government’s ability to support growth. It should also focus on enhancing digital infrastructure, boosting cybersecurity measures and promoting STEM education to bring equitable talent into the industry. Legislative changes to streamline tech regulations and provide incentives for R&D could also elevate the sector. Collaboration between the Government and industry leaders will be crucial in navigating this new chapter, particularly as AI development accelerates without strong policies in place for protection.

TOM SHIRLEY
DIRECTOR, FUTURE VOICE

The previous Government initiated significant projects but there were gaps in connectivity and cybersecurity. Ensuring continuity in these projects is essential and Labour’s focus on strengthening cybersecurity and accelerating 5G infrastructure looks promising. Enhanced cybersecurity regulations and increased R&D funding could significantly benefit our industry. Decisive and timely actions will be necessary to ensure sustained growth and resilience for telecom businesses. The new Government must prioritise modernising practices, such as expanding 5G coverage and ensuring all corners of the UK have access to high-speed connectivity. 

STEVE BARCLAY
MD, EVE NETWORKS

The focus on economic growth and European cooperation instils reasonable faith in Labour’s potential to benefit our sector. Continued investment into digital infrastructure, plus data protection and security legislation is inevitable. Skills development programmes and funding for R&D could fuel innovation. I expect Labour will drive green technology which could position the UK’s ICT sector as a world leader. Government influence through regulation is also crucial.

ROY SHELTON
CEO, CONNECTUS BUSINESS SOLUTIONS

The most immediate post-election impact is that budgets and projects have been unfrozen following election uncertainty. If economic growth can be achieved with increased tax income without raising tax bands, the future can be reassuring. In the past, the R&D tax credits and 100 per cent capital allowances encouraged investment but fell short of driving private sector tech investment. This gap presents an opportunity to incentivise technical apprenticeships to move to a cloud-first, always-on economy along with skilled resources for cyber counter-defences. One way to do that could be enforcing Cyber Essentials plus accreditation for companies of a certain size. There is also a need to harness AI in our digital economy without fear.

ALAN STEPHENSON-BROWN,
CEO, EVOLVE BUSINESS GROUP

Labour made a point to win over the tech community in its campaign by promising more investment and regulations to manage the development of emerging technologies. Despite Covid-19 and Brexit, its predecessor made strides in policymaking with the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act. Considering the impact emerging technologies could have on the economy I expect this Government to be just as active in this area. The party also promised to remove barriers to new data centres and the importance of the sector to the success of the UK’s digital economy cannot be overstated, so it will be interesting to see how new policies work to boost data centre development.

RICHARD BETTS
CEO, VIZST TECHNOLOGY

The Labour Government has discussed several initiatives to drive growth and innovation. These include the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill, plans to increase regulations around AI and the idea of transforming colleges into Technical Excellence Colleges to address skill shortages. There is also expected to be an increase in R&D across several industries to build on the great strides made by the previous Government. To take the sector even further, enhanced support and investment programmes for start-ups and SMEs will be a necessity. The overall effectiveness of policies will depend on their implementation capabilities, responsiveness to industry feedback and adaptability to changing economic conditions.

ADAM ZOLDAN,
DIRECTOR, KNIGHT CORPORATE FINANCE

I would hope to see any investment in UK infrastructure support all competitors in the UK market. From Knight’s perspective, we are looking at any changes in tax policy which could have a significant impact on our clients, particularly where Capital Gains Tax is involved. Our view is that CGT has been a key driver for shareholders to build value by continually investing in their businesses, and we hope that this is recognised by the Government. It was the last Labour Government that introduced Entrepreneurs’ Relief so we would hope that the current iteration will remain.

CHERIE HOWLETT,
CMO, JOLA

When Governments invest in technology it presents opportunities for the channel. For example, as 5G coverage increases there is an opportunity to provide SMEs with high speed, reliable Internet access. When Governments invest in education we benefit from access to a diverse, well educated workforce, with the key skills we need to help us grow our businesses. At Jola, we benefit from apprenticeship schemes, sandwich students looking to acquire work experience and graduates looking to start their careers in telecoms. The channel has always been a significant source of economic growth for the country. I hope the new Government recognises the important role of entrepreneurs in the channel and continues to support them.

MIKE IANIRI
MD, CLOUD GEEKS

If Labour prioritises digital infrastructure and technology, it could lead to positive outcomes such as accelerated 5G rollout and expanded broadband coverage. Conversely, any regulatory uncertainty or policy shifts could pose challenges. Ensuring a balanced approach to security and technological advancement remains critical, as is continuity in policies that promote investment and innovation. Labour could introduce more robust digital inclusion initiatives, implement stricter regulations to enhance competition, prioritise funding for R&D and strengthen cybersecurity measures.