You are invited to join us for a book launch and complimentary wine tasting at Chapel Down Winery, Friday 14 November 2025, 6.45pm for 7pm start…
“Prosperity Through Growth”
Boosting living standards in the Age of Autocracy and AI
Authors: Dr. Arthur B. Laffer, Matthew Elliott, Michael Hintze, and Douglas McWilliams.
With a strong community focus, Tenterden Business Hub has been established by local charity Tenterden Social Hub and is designed to become a forum for business owners and professionals seeking growth and innovation by providing inspiration from industry leaders and offering valuable education via high-quality speakers and mentors.
Our speaker for the night is Doug McWilliams, a former chief economic adviser to the CBI and chief economist for IBM UK before setting up the Centre for Economics and Business Research. His mission is to bridge the gap between what goes on at the heart of government, the impact of government policy on local business communities, and how local businesspeople can adopt the right responses and business strategies.
The book is co-authored with Dr Arthur B Laffer, world renowned for his Laffer curve, a theory suggesting there is an optimal tax rate that maximises government revenue and economic growth.
At the event, Doug will present the views of 4 living former Prime Ministers and 9 living former Chancellors as given in interview to him for his soon to be published book, “Prosperity Through Growth – Boosting Living Standards in an Age of Autocracy and AI.
Boris Johnson, Prime Minister 2019-2022:
“What this country needs, basically is a massive new Thatcherian revolution, and a kick in the pants. And I think it’s actually happening …. There is an opening, I think, for a 1979-style change at the next election.”
David Cameron, Prime Minister 2010-16:
“We’re in a situation of genteel decline – people just putting up with 1 per cent growth. We’re effectively getting poorer, but we’re pretending we aren’t, and we need to convince people it doesn’t have to be that way. But we need to convince people we’ve got a very clear plan.”
Gus O’Donnell, Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service 2005-2011:
“This is a magnificent project. This is really, really important.”
Andy Haldane, Chief Economist at the Bank of England 2014-21:
“Is there the political will to make choices which carry short-term political cost? Most of what we’re describing is at least five. more likely ten or fifteen-years projects … All of these things could be done, but that’s different from will they be done?”
Jamie Dimon, Chair and CEO, JPMorganChase:
“With the right policies and determination, there is real opportunity for strong growth.”
About Chapel Down Winery
Chapel Down Winery is England’s leading wine producer with an award-winning range of sparkling and still wines produced from grapes grown primarily in the South-East of England.
Book tickets
Tickets are £25 – available from Tenterden Social Hub and The Coffee Shop at EC30
email: hub@tsh.org.uk or call 01580 762882.