Each year, our Chamber Events Team co-ordinates and delivers an impressive 200+ events for the business community. That averages out at around four events per week, hosted at our Commerce House office in Stoke and a mix of other venues across the entire county.
For many delegates, networking is a prime reason for attending events with the chance to make new contacts and hopefully open up the potential for new customer sales. Another reason for joining our events is to learn more around a specific topic, giving us the chance to educate and inform our members. That brings me to a couple of upcoming events in our calendar which very much align with this.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation will place the onus on packaging producers to fund the full cost of managing packaging waste. This includes collecting, sorting, treating, and recycling. Brand owners and producers will now cover these costs.
We very much recognise the aspirations of EPR in developing a truly circular economy, as well as driving the need to promote sustainable packaging practice However, we do have real concerns about the cost impact on businesses, who are still reeling from some of the announcements made in the Autumn 2024 Budget, such as increases to employer National Insurance Contributions (NIC). One of our members has estimated that EPR will lead to an additional annual increase of more than £800,000.
As a Chamber, we have written to Rt Hon Steve Reed, (Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs), to raise our concerns about the way EPR is being implemented. Lack of awareness and lack of clarity around the costs involved (businesses are having to make loose estimates around costs), is extremely unhelpful and does little to boost business confidence.
DEFRA has now agreed to deliver a webinar on EPR, exclusively open to Chamber members, taking place from 2PM TO 3PM on Tuesday 25th March. Click here to book your place and find out more about EPR and what it could mean for your business:
During 2024, we started to deliver a number of Big Business Breakfast events, which grew in popularity over the year. We brought together a group of inspirational guest speakers, including James Timpson OBE, the boss of the Timpson Group and renowned economist, Vicky Pryce, Chief Economic Adviser at the Centre for Economics and Business Research
Big Business Breakfast events have focused on a number of business themes including how to develop an inspirational culture in your organisation, business finance and funding and a review of local economic performance.
Our first Big Business Breakfast of 2025 takes place on Friday 28th March 2025. We’re delighted to welcome our keynote speaker, Paul Doherty, Procurement Director at Heathrow Airport, who is actively seeking West Midlands businesses to join their supply chain at one of the world’s busiest transport hubs. You’ll hear about Heathrow’s procurement needs and requirements, how businesses can join their supply chain, and how they engage and work with SME businesses.
Keeping with the theme of procurement, we’ll also be welcoming Paul Timmins, Head of Procurement at Staffordshire County Council and Nathan Joy-Johnson, Group Director of Procurement at University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust. Together, these experts oversee more than £1 billion in procurement contracts.
My colleague (Sarah Colclough) will share her knowledge and expertise on how to develop compelling bids that stand out from the competition.
The event will feature a mini ‘Meet the Buyer’ exhibition, giving delegates the opportunity to connect directly with some of the country’s largest procurement leaders. This is the perfect chance to engage with key decision-makers and gain expert guidance to improve your bidding success.
You can book your place by clicking on the link:
