How do you think you might benefit from and be able to exploit the current economic downturn?
 Miles Rothbury – Barclays Bank
The banking sector is experiencing unprecedented market conditions right now and this has presented unique challenges for the ways in which we manage the business going forward.
The opportunities in my opinion lie in the return to the traditional banking principles, where bankers are seen to offer pragmatic business advice and focus on the requirements of clients through understanding their businesses, providing innovative solutions and great customer service. Banks will benefit from helping our clients deliver their near term goals and provide them with a competitive advantage for the future; by focussing on value drivers and continuing to concentrate on understanding businesses strategic goals, we can set our clients up for success in 2009 and beyond.
 Steve Kuncewicz - Ralli Solicitors
IP & Media is one area which whilst obviously hit by the downturn is still full of opportunity largely thanks to Manchester’s world-class creative and media community. Businesses tend to be learning more and more about how they can use, protect and leverage intellectual property to their advantage as well as how to protect their reputation in the media which is more and more of a concern in an atmosphere where the slightest hint of a problem can directly affect your bottom line. There’s always work to be done and always new clients to win, but it’ll happen in new and emerging areas; we may need to run a little faster to catch up than previously. Downturns don’t last forever in any event, and there’s no reason to believe that Manchester’s not ideally placed to lead the way out of it.
 Caroline Mitchell - Alec Finch & Company Limited
Insurance is a difficult proposition in the current climate as clients are looking for reductions in their premiums and Insurance companies are looking for increases, as their investments are not doing quite so well.
Insurance Brokers can use this as a selling point when approaching new clients. This is the time when companies are reviewing purchasing and insurance is no different. So we try and assist in reviewing covers, a new set of eyes as it were, to see if any insurances are not as necessary or changes in cover can produce a premium saving for a client if they wish to carry a slightly higher risk.
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