Meet our Enforcement Champions
The enforcement theme is being championed by three sector champions: Martin Traynor, the Group Chief Executive of the Leicester Chamber of Commerce; Simon Topman, CEO of ACME Whistle Co Ltd; and Sir William Sargent, CEO of Framestore CFC. You can find out more about our champions and what they have to say about the Red Tape Challenge below. To comment on regulatory enforcement, please click here.
Martin Traynor
Martin Traynor OBE, FIH is Group Chief Executive of Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce. After a successful career in senior Hotel management Martin joined the Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce in 2001 where he has actively campaigned on issues that impact on the small businesses, including red tape and regulation.
Martin (Traynor) says: “If the UK is to emerge from this recession then we need to carefully examine the issues that prevent our businesses from prospering. All too often red tape and regulation, and its enforcement, are seen as the biggest issue that stands in the way of growth. If regulators are going to tackle the issues around enforcement then we all need to better understand the problems businesses face. By working in partnership I am confident that we can build a better enforcement regime that meets the needs of both business and the regulators.”
Simon Topman
Simon Topman is CEO of the Acme Whistle Co. Ltd , an SME that manufactures 6 million whistles, sound effects, signal systems and musical accessories each year and exports them to 119 countries worldwide —including China ! A former President of Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and currently Chairman of the Birmingham City Housing and Infrastructure Growth Board.
Simon Topman says: “Business needs good enforcement; we must be confident that our competitors are playing by the rules, but we need to make sure it helps us and doesn’t hinder us. What works? What doesn’t? How do we strive for constant improvement as we would in any other part of our business? Please take the time to let us know your views and experiences, internal and external, so that we can build the best possible business environment.”
Sir William Sargent
Chief Executive and Co-founder of Framestore, March 1986.
The company has created digital images (visual effects, animation and filmgrading) for major Hollywood studios, UK and US broadcasters and international advertising agencies. The company has won most major creative awards internationally including the Academy Award (Oscar), British Academy (Bafta), US Television Academy (Primetime Emmy), Royal Television Society amongst others.
William is a Fellow, Royal Society for the Arts; and was a Board member of HM Treasury (2005 – 2010); Cabinet Office (2005 – 2007); Permanent Secretary, Regulatory Reform (2005 – 2009), and was knighted in the Queen’s 2008 Birthday List.
“I’m hoping that the Red Tape Challenge will help facilitate ways for regulators to be more innovative and I challenge the business community to take this project to heart and tell us how they and the regulators can build genuine partnerships.”
