SMALL businesses from Worcestershire were among a group of SME's from across the West Midlands to attend an event at Jaguar Land Rover's manufacturing plant at Solihull.

Organised by the manufacturing special interest group from the Institute of Chartered of Accountants for England and Wales, it was for ICAEW members and business leaders who heard from a variety of expert speakers giving their views on the challenges faced by the automotive industry’s smaller organisations.

Among them was Michael Mychajluk, supply chain and external engagement manager at Jaguar Land Rover, who explained the story behind the UK’s largest automotive business, and how it came to be the leader in its field. He was joined by Penny Edgar, finance director of Controlled Power Technologies, who provided a review of the challenges faced by a typical UK start-up company.

Amanda Digne-Malcolm, director of ICAEW members’ department, said: “Our manufacturing special interest group brings together our members from both business and practice in the manufacturing sector, offering them a chance to discuss the key challenges faced by manufacturers in the UK. Jaguar Land Rover is a perfect British example of what success looks like and how integral the manufacturing industry is to the UK economy.”

The ICAEW manufacturing group was set up to engage both ICAEW chartered accountants and other members of the manufacturing community and provide the latest news and developments in the sector.