More than 200 local business people attended a Seminar on 12 March to hear speakers on the discipline needed to survive the present economic situation and the outlook for 2009/2010.

The event was held at Adams Park in Hillbottom Road, High Wycombe. Julie Murdoch of Business Link acted as co-ordinator for the formal part of the evening.

Simon Turner, a partner in Seymour Taylor Chartered Accountants was first to speak. He majored on the absolute necessity of financial discipline in these troubled times. He covered the importance of maintaining accurate and up to date accounting records, timely management accounts and good financial projections. He offered some very good practical tips which were well received by the audience.

The newly appointed Executive Chairman of London Wasps, Mark Rigby, was the next speaker and he spoke about the financial and sporting evolution of the Club. The 2008/2009 season had been a difficult one but he predicted a bright future for them both on and off the pitch.

The final presentation was by David Fenton, Head of Microeconomics at the Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS). David explained why the world economy was in recession, stressing the importance of the adverse feedback loop between the banking system and the wider economy. He outlined the bold policies introduced to break that loop, with special emphasis on the Bank of England's latest intervention - quantitative easing. David’s view was that while 2009 would be very tough indeed, it was important to bear in mind that recovery would eventually come, hopefully in 2010.

There were some very interesting questions from the audience with an opportunity for local businesses attending to network.

The event was arranged and sponsored by RBS, London Wasps, Nat West, Business Link and Seymour Taylor.