by Roger House, Federation of Small Business chairman, Kent and Medway region

In the past when government looked at business, it looked at the big corporates and those that could make a single unified impact on the economy as the key to success.

Things have moved on and even though there is still a predilection in sidling up to the larger companies, there is a huge groundswell in the recognition of the value of the micro and small business.

This sector is the biggest in its own right. It makes up more than 90% of the economy. It is a huge employer and contributor to the county’s and the country’s (if not the world’s) GDP.

It is from this grass roots economic base that growth is sought.

As larger companies tend to retract or disappear with singular catastrophic effect, so small entities appear and cumulatively deliver the solutions to economic wellbeing for millions of workers.

Where would we be without the real life entrepreneurs that the FSB champions?

Where would we be without this flexible network of businesses that can combine collaboratively into vibrant supply chains that, in turn, provide the magnet for their larger business companions to establish in areas such as our county?

We need to make every effort to work from the grass roots and recognise the value of the risk-takers. Kent is making all the right noises. The public sector is making the right noises and setting out the steps to support the small business ambition.

So it should. It is, after all, the largest part of the county’s economy.

Even so, we spend huge sums outside the county for products that could be sourced within it, especially in the creative sector.

So, to hear that small business confidence is at an all-time high is tremendous news. A recent report commissioned by the FSB from the Centre of Economic Research has clearly demonstrated the upbeat attitude now beginning to prevail, echoed around the table by virtually all businesses meeting at the Kent Business Advisory Board.

'So, to hear that small business confidence is at an all-time high is tremendous news'

With noises coming from Government to match the importance of these contributors to the economy, we should see a real difference in the market place.

Talking up Kent is vital to our future. Highlighting the positive and the potential is something we should all be striving to do.

Getting to grips with all of this is part of the ongoing work of organisation such as the FSB. However, we need to ensure the public and private sector spend more time standing side by side facing down the policy decision makers at a national level and that, I am pleased to say, is a fast emerging outcome exemplified by the rethinking of the Local Enterprise Partnership. Size isn’t everything – even at this level, which is something Minister Pickles needs to take on board.

Lastly, I want to share one of those glorious Boris moments. I was delighted to be invited to the IOD annual conference in September and one – of many – great quotes that came out of that was the London Mayor’s.

He said: “The British economy is having its Costa Concordia moment. The problem is not to hand the bridge back to those that ran it aground.”

Have a great month.