BILL Midgley will use his maiden speech as president of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) to lobby political parties to support business competitiveness.

The North-East businessman will call for measures to improve trading conditions for companies to be put at the heart of policy making for the next election.

Speaking at the BCC's annual meeting today in London, Mr Midgley will say: "Supporting business competitiveness is the key to future economic prosperity and the Government must not lose sight of that.

"We need to ensure that the UK's skills, tax and regulatory systems are focused on delivering a competitive edge in the global economy."

He will warn that grave economic times are ahead unless these issues are addressed: "We are storing up serious problems for ourselves if we cannot assure domestic and international employers with the certainty that the UK offers the most competitive business environment in which to operate."

Mr Midgley will describe a partnership role for public and private sectors to find a solution to the problems facing manufacturing. He will say: "Business and government must work together to reverse the terminal decline facing manufacturers.

"Countless economic commentators rejoice that manufacturing edges up, with improvements quarter-by- quarter, but the reality is that we are improving from a very low base.

"And it will only take a few ill-thought out policies to send industry back into decline."

Mr Midgley was elected to the post of president for a two-year period which he hopes to use to strengthen the relationship between business and the Government.

He said: "I want to use my presidency to work with Government on these issues and ensure that the needs of the wealth-creating business sector are fully taken into account."

The 62-year-old has a background in the North-East business community.

He retired from the Newcastle Building Society (NBS) in July 1998, having been chief executive and executive vice-chairman. Before his 20 years with NBS he was employed in banking and financial services.

Since his retirement, he has continued in a number of non-executive roles, also becoming president of the North East Chamber of Commerce and chairman of Durham County Cricket Club.

He is chairman of Century FM, vice-president of Marie Curie Cancer Care, chairman of Your Homes, Newcastle, and a council member of Newcastle University.