Sir William Veno delivered a sharp critique of British industry during a conference of manufacturers held under the Manchester Publicity Club this afternoon. Speaking on the challenges facing British trade, he characterized the presence of "highly-paid incompetents" as a significant obstacle to the country’s commercial success.

Veno stated that British manufacturing once held a leading global position but lamented that the nation had fallen behind, particularly in sales and marketing. He insisted that the business sector suffers from an excess of overpaid individuals who fail to deliver effective results, calling for their removal to improve national trade performance.

According to Veno, this imbalance between strong manufacturing capability and weak salesmanship has undermined the competitiveness of British goods in international markets. His remarks highlighted concerns about inefficiencies and suggested that organizational reforms in business management were necessary to revitalize the country’s commercial standing.

The conference, attended by industry leaders and manufacturers, provided a forum for discussing strategies to enhance British trade. Veno’s comments underscored ongoing debates about the need for better leadership and accountability within the business community to reverse a perceived decline in economic dynamism.