BUSINESS leaders were given an insight into the issues likely to affect their decisions in 2012 at a Christmas breakfast event held at the Essex branch of the Institute of Directors.

Speakers at the event, held at Stock Brook Manor, near Chelmsford, and attended by more than 130 IoD members and guests, included Paul Fisher, a member of the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee, and Graeme Leach, the IoD’s senior economist and director of policy.

Mr Leach, who was also recently appointed an executive director of the IoD, said: “I am delighted to have been invited to speak at this year’s Christmas breakfast. The event is always hugely popular with members and it is great to meet so many of them and discuss key business issues affecting us all.”

Tim Price, vice-chairman of Essex IoD, said: “Essex is a net contributor to the Treasury and, as such, this is reflective of the successful businesses and business leaders located in Essex.

“Although we are all living and working in challenging times, we should take time to celebrate this and leverage this entrepreneurial spirit for the growth and prosperity of not just the county but the country as a whole”