State Of The Nation : Infrastructure investment and skill sets are vital

A businessman who has run a successful Newark firm for more than three decades says schools need to provide pupils with the right skill sets for the world of work.

Mr Steve Hampson, 54, owner of Hampsons Group, said the State Of The Nation report was unfair on Newark and Sherwood, but admitted more investment in infrastructure was needed.

“It is always of concern when you hear something of detriment to the town and the community,” he said.

“But if you asked me if Newark and Sherwood is a bad place to live, I would say absolutely not — I would say it is a great place to live.

“When you consider we have got 1.3% unemployment, which is well below the national average and the regional average, [this report] is a little bit out of context.

“Newark would be deemed, by an economist, to have full employment.”

Mr Hampson said infrastructure was a major issue.

“If you look at Newark bypass, we have been promised it, but it keeps getting pushed back.”

Mr Hampson said there was also a need for better rail services from east to west.

Mr Hampson sits on the board of Invest Newark and Sherwood, a collaboration between Newark and Sherwood District Council and private enterprise that was set up to encourage investment in the district.

“There are opportunities out there, irrespective of what is happening with the economy or going on in the EU,” he said.

“There are a lot of good things in Newark and a lot of Newark companies are expanding, such as Bakkavor, Hoval, NSK and Knowhow. Many smaller businesses in Newark are doing well.”

'A section of society who feel they are a forgotten generation'

Mr Hampson said Invest Newark and Sherwood was set up partly because pupils were not leaving school with the right skill sets needed for work.

“When I was growing up, if you were low-educated you were going down the pit and if you were well-educated you were going into banking,” he said.

“They were the two career choices when I was at school.

“What we know now is to give children a good education and also give them the skill-set they need to go into the world of work.

“That is what we are doing and that is why businesses are getting involved in schools and liaising with children.”

Mr Hampson said the work of Invest Newark and Sherwood would take time to come to fruition.

“While the report was damning for Newark, it was a little bit unfair in regards of what the area has to offer,” he said.

“Having said that, there is a section of society, particularly young adults, who will feel they are a forgotten generation, who feel they have not had the start in life they should have had — and there is still some work to be done to address that.”

The Hampsons Group includes Hampsons Recovery and commercial property arm Harlaxton Estates.

Mr Hampson, who attended the Grove School and Newark Technical College, oversaw the success of Hampsons Self Drive Hire, which at one stage had nine offices and employed 180 staff before its sale.

He is chairman of car leasing firm XL Ltd and chairman and co-founder of charity The Star Trust, which has given £485,000 to 40 causes in four years.