Grants of up to £2,000 are now available for people aged 18-30 across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire who need support with business start-up costs.

The Community Foundation for Staffordshire is managing the grant scheme for SWEF, a fund that invests in the business initiatives of young people with the aim of producing 500 entrepreneurs across the UK every year.

Companies and sole traders less than two years old, owned by people aged 18-30, are asked to apply via this link SWEF – Enterprise & Business Grants – The Community Foundation for Staffordshire as soon as possible.

Applicants must be able to give evidence of significant steps taken to get their business off the ground and demonstrate a financial need for the grant. The funds will only be available for stock, equipment and materials, product development, one-off costs for developments plus rent or business-related bills. The scheme is particularly wishing to support those who are not in education, employment or training. This is not a loan scheme and recipients do not need to pay the grant back. The full criteria including what business owners can’t apply for is on the Community Foundation website.

And the successful companies will also have access to an online business forum with other organisations that have been awarded a grant. The forum offers a space to exchange ideas, experiences and learn.

The Community Foundation for Staffordshire is a team of locally based grant managers with extensive knowledge of local needs.  They create and administer benevolent funds and grant giving schemes for philanthropists, businesses, central Government, and local authorities that want to improve their reach into local communities.  The Community Foundation manages more than £10m of charitable funds each year, which are designed to create a lasting local legacy.

Leanne Macpherson, Head of Programmes at The Community Foundation for Staffordshire said: “Starting a business is challenging emotionally and financially and we hope this scheme will help make that leap of faith into entrepreneurship that little bit easier.

“And we want to make the application process simple, not taking up too much time that could be used to develop the business. So I ask interested people to contact us to ensure their application is the best it can be.”

For details, please email office@staffordshire.foundation, call 01785 339540 or visit www.staffordshire.foundation

Staffordshire Chambers, in conjunction with Tamworth Borough Council, has launched its Ignite Start-up Programme. These sessions, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, will support anyone looking to start a business to develop the skills needed to start and grow a successful business across the Borough.

Hosted by expert business advisors, the sessions will cover topics such as:-

•    Business Basics
•    Company Formations
•    Business Planning
•    Finance including Forecasting and Budgeting
•    Taxation
•    Marketing and Social Media.

You will be provided with key information, factsheets, templates and have the opportunity to ask specific questions about your business idea. You will also get 12 months access to our online start-up portal with key videos and information that you can access 24/7. The sessions will be held in person at Tamworth Enterprise Centre, Corporation St, Tamworth B79 7DN.

To find out when the next session is taking place contact start@staffordshirechambers.co.uk

Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce has joined forces with the Hubb Foundation to launch a new “Warm Clothes for Christmas” initative.

This initiative aims to gather and distribute vital warm clothing items for the most vulnerable members of our community during the winter months.

To support this cause, Staffordshire Chambers will be collecting donations at Commerce House, Festival Park, from now until the morning of Friday, 15th December.

The initiative urges the community to donate warm clothing—such as jumpers, hats, gloves, trousers, and coats—to provide essential warmth for those facing the challenges of winter in our city.

All donated items will be managed by the Hubb Foundation, ensuring their distribution to two key centres, the Gingerbread Centre and the Macari Centre.

To find out more, please email josh.dennis@staffordshirechambers.co.uk

The 28th UN Climate Change Conference takes place in the United Arab Emirates from 30 November – 12 December 2023.

Alongside the main summit, British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) will be hosting a significant presence in Glasgow, acting as a hub for our network of Chambers across the world.

This is a key date for the international community to come together and set out how to meet the Climate Challenge as a planet. The Chamber Network will be actively taking part in COP28 events and initiatives.

Chambers unite for a greener future’, our global campaign launched earlier this year, has united our 127 Chambers and has as its centrepiece this hugely significant event.

From Monday 1 – Thursday 4 November, the BCC, in collaboration with the international British Chambers Network, will be presenting a full agenda of business-focussed policy debate, thought leadership and exceptional networking opportunities, while giving our members the chance to showcase the best of their climate leadership. We will be exploring the key challenges of the coming decades, including:

• Green Trade and sustainable finance;
• The opportunities for collaboration the green agenda brings
• Innovation, implementation, and the business landscape of the future

COP28 will showcase the Chamber Network as the leading business organisation on COP28 business engagement by uniting Chambers, countries, companies, multinationals, SMEs, start-ups, experts, young professionals, public and private sector for a greener future.

Find out more, here.

On Tuesday Charles III opened the first King’s Speech in Parliament for more than 70 years, telling MPs and peers the government would make “difficult but necessary long-term decisions” to change the UK for the better.

Whilst the King’s Speech opened with an aspiration to increase economic growth, it failed to outline how that will happen. We know only too well from daily dealings with members that firms need more help in dealing with inflation, interest rates and a challenging labour market.

The Government could, and should have gone further, to help companies in challenging times. We hope the Autumn Statement later in the month will provide more certainty for businesses.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has already submitted a letter to the Chancellor containing 23 recommendations that Chambers across the UK believe could put the economy on the best footing possible to absorb further shocks.

It is disappointing that the King’s Speech did not include further planning reform in England. We continue to call for a faster and more efficient system that enables business to grow.

Latest data from the BCC’s Insight Unit shows investment flatlining. And the BCC Quarterly Economic Survey for Q3, showed only 23% of respondents were increasing investment whilst concern over the impact of high interest rates is growing, reaching 45%.

We welcome positive signs that the Government is listening to our calls for a modernised energy grid system. Building on the recent Energy Act, we will be looking closely at the detail to see if connections will be improved for businesses.

The Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill recognises we will need to continue using the UK’s oil and gas reserves during the transition to a net-zero future. However, we need to hear much more about the Government’s proposals for renewables. Reopening the political dividing lines on Net-Zero feels like a slap in the face, damaging business confidence and investment plans.

There is some encouragement in the mention of increasing high quality apprenticeships. The skills crisis is one of the main issues impacting business.

Boosting exports is a key ingredient for economic growth and we welcome The Trade Bill. But the government must do more to shift the dial on global trade.

As always, I would urge you to speak to our policy advisor Declan Riddell about any issues affecting your business. And I am sure many of the issues above will be the subject of debate in our member forums which you are all welcome to attend. You can contact Declan about any issues or for more information on our member forums by emailing declan.riddell@staffordshire.co.uk

I was also privileged to meet King Charles on Wednesday as I collected my OBE from him – we talked about the leadership needed for helping businesses work towards a net zero future. It was a fantastic day  – supremely well organised, very ceremonial but also very friendly – and I feel extraordinarily grateful to have received such amazing recognition.

If you are a member who has joined in the last few months, then it would be great to see you at our ‘New Member Friday’ event at Commerce House on Festival Park on Friday 24^th November.

These events offer an informal introduction to Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce and all the benefits you receive as a member.

You will get the chance to meet your dedicated account manager who will support you in all aspects of your membership, answer any of your questions and ultimately help your business to thrive.

It is also a perfect opportunity to meet our other new members and enjoy some informal networking in our Members’ Lounge.

While you are with us, you can also enjoy a tour of Commerce House taking in around our Members’ Lounge, meeting rooms and event spaces to ensure get the maximum value from your membership.

You can book your free place on the New Member Friday here: https://staffordshirechambers.co.uk/events-calendar/new-member-fridays-4/

If you want to talk to us about any business issues, including funding, you can call our switchboard on 01782 202222, call the Business Helpline on 0300 111 8002 or email: info@staffordshirechambers.co.uk

Following Sara Williams’ decision to retire at the end of the year, Staffordshire Chambers is looking to recruit a new Chief Executive – providing an exciting and unique opportunity to lead an award-winning organisation at the heart of the local business community.

As the Chief Executive of Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, you will serve as the authoritative voice for all size of businesses in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, both locally and at the government level.

Building upon the strong foundation laid by Sara Williams OBE, your leadership will be instrumental in steering our pioneering organisation toward continued stability through sound business acumen, innovative strategies, and the growth of revenue.

Working in close collaboration with our members, board, partners, and stakeholders, you will champion issues that lie at the heart of our community, contributing to the region’s remarkable growth.

View the recruitment pack, here.

The deadline for application is midnight on Sunday 19th November 2023.