Staffordshire Chambers’ International Trade Centre is excited to unveil our new Trade Surgeries – giving businesses one-to-one support to help unlock new overseas markets, completely free of charge!

Led by trade expert Chris Street, the exclusive 45-minute sessions will help SMEs to find new overseas markets – perfect for businesses who have never traded internationally or those who have just started to break into new markets.

The one-to-one format ensures that you will receive bespoke advice tailored to your business, helping you to make more sales and grow your business.

Sessions will take place at Commerce House, with four currently available to book on the morning of Tuesday, 5 September, and a further four on Tuesday, 10 October.

It’s important to note that due to limited availability, we encourage you to secure your slot early. These 45-minute appointments are free and carry no obligation. To reserve your spot and make the most of this opportunity, kindly use the following link provided.

• Tuesday, 5 September
• Tuesday, 10 October

Staffordshire Chambers, in partnership with Staffordshire University, is hosting a “Local Jobs, Local Employers” jobs fair at the Catalyst Building.

Hosted as part of ‘Welcome Week’ on 28th September, this event will give businesses the opportunity to showcase any jobs available for students currently studying at Staffordshire University or to previous graduates and alumni.

Stands are free to book on a first-come, first-served basis.

Tom Nadin, Head of Projects and Business Services at Staffordshire Chambers said: “We have teamed up with Staffordshire University to host this event that looks to bridge the gap between employers and graduates.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for businesses to showcase their vacancies and establish connections that could potentially shape the trajectory of a young professional’s journey.

“It’s completely free to book a stand, too, so I would urge all businesses to get involved to help fill their vacancies.”

The event will take place between 12:00 pm – 14:00 pm.

If you would like to register your interest in attending, please complete this form.

Staffordshire businesses took a tour of the Trent and Mersey Canal as part of an immersive ‘Teapot Boat Tour’ that unlocked the area’s rich pottery heritage.

organised collaboratively by Protectapet and Staffordshire Chambers, the tour embarked on a journey that delved deep into the history of the region’s renowned ceramics industry. Participants were treated to an educational voyage aboard a narrowboat, traversing the picturesque waterways that played a pivotal role in shaping the cultural and industrial landscape of Staffordshire.

The journey included passage through the Harecastle Tunnel, a 1.6-mile-long marvel that minimised breakages of finished ceramics en route to markets in the 19th century. Following the canal journey, participants took a leisurely two-mile stroll through Bathpool Park, concluding their day at the Blue Bell Inn in Kidsgrove for drinks and informal networking.

Chris Plant, Deputy CEO of Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, said: “The group really enjoyed the Teapot Boat Tour, organised by Simon Davies of Protecapet, learning more about the factories that produced world-renowned teapots and ceramics.

“The event really helped to shine a light on Staffordshire’s heritage, weaving together the threads of history, industry and art in an engaging and educational manner.

“Thank you to everyone who joined us on the day.”

Did you or someone within your organisation complete an apprenticeship?

Staffordshire Chambers is currently researching long-term apprenticeship success stories from both a personal and professional career perspective.

Whether you completed your apprenticeship five or 25 years ago, if you feel that it has positively impacted your life then we would like to hear from you via this short online form. We’re keen to hear from individuals across all sectors and job role levels.

Did your apprenticeship act as a catalyst for a new career path? Or did you remain in the same sector in which you first started? We’re keen to hear from individuals across all sectors and job role levels. We are not looking solely for senior leaders, but to showcase the full range of potential outcomes from Apprenticeships.

Please complete the short form outlining your name, company name and a brief description of your apprenticeship experiences, here.

In response to the growing challenges faced by businesses navigating the financial landscape, Staffordshire Chambers is excited to announce a new partnership with Swoop, a leading platform specialising in financial matchmaking.

The collaboration gives birth to the ‘Chamber Finance Finder‘ platform, designed to simplify and expedite the process of securing funding for member businesses.

Businesses across various sectors are grappling with the complex task of finding the right funding solutions. The Chamber Finance Finder platform has been crafted to address this issue, providing member businesses with a user-friendly tool to access tailored funding opportunities including loans, equity options and grants.

Registering for a free account on the Chamber Finance Finder platform opens the door to a world of funding possibilities. In just a matter of minutes, businesses can be matched with funding opportunities that align with their specific needs.

The platform’s capabilities encompass a wide spectrum of financial options, from traditional loans and asset finance to cutting-edge products such as VAT loans and invoice finance. Moreover, businesses can explore grants designed to encourage innovation and support progress towards a Net Zero future.

Through Swoop’s intuitive portal, businesses can easily assess their eligibility and track their progress throughout the funding application process. This collaboration also ensures that Staffordshire Chambers’ members gain access to an array of exclusive benefits, further enhancing the value proposition:

• 5-Day Chamber Hotline: Member businesses can enjoy dedicated support five days a week from 9am to 5pm through a Chamber hotline, offering expert assistance to address their queries and concerns.
• Free Financial Health Assessment: Businesses can schedule consultations with funding managers to evaluate potential savings and identify the most suitable funding solutions.
• Application Support: Dedicated funding advisors will provide invaluable guidance, increasing the likelihood of successful funding applications.
• Finance Updates: Stay informed with monthly updates on the evolving funding landscape, ensuring members are equipped with the latest insights.
• Marketing Support: Continuously refreshed marketing initiatives and resources to cater to the evolving needs of Chamber members.

For more information and to explore the Chamber Finance Finder platform, please visit the Chamber Finance Finder.

I always find the summer holidays are a good time to do a bit of housekeeping at work.

For example, reviewing what your business pays for gas, electricity and water is one task we all need to do but it gets pushed to the back of the list as day-to-day tasks take priority.

Earlier this year the Chambers entered a new partnership with leading utilities cost consultancy Troo to offer Staffordshire Chambers Energy Services to members.

The service is designed to provide expert advice to Staffordshire-based business owners to help you reduce electricity, gas and water expenditure, resulting in increased operational efficiency.

The team at Staffordshire Chambers Energy Services know the market and know the suppliers and they do all the hard work saving you time and probably a headache due to the confusing array of tariffs and suppliers out there.

As part of this new partnership, Staffordshire Chambers Energy Services offers a free energy health check to members. This service enables business owners to potentially save thousands of pounds per year on their energy bills.

I am confident that this partnership will benefit Staffordshire businesses and organisations and contribute to the economic growth of the county

Registered business members of Staffordshire Chambers can take advantage of the following services provided by Staffordshire Chambers Energy Services:

• A free assessment of current energy contracts
• Assistance in negotiating competitive market rates
• Ongoing account management and advice

Staffordshire Chambers Energy Services’ advisers can also analyse electricity and gas bills to identify if members are being overcharged. For larger operations, on-site audits of energy and water usage can be arranged, and if necessary, they can manage on-site works for meter upgrades.

You can find out more by taking advantage of the free initial assessment offered by the Staffordshire Chambers Energy Services advisers by calling: 0800 058 1950 or emailing: energyservices@sces.co.uk www.staffschambersenergyservices.co.uk

Another great service worth checking out is our partnership with Swoop to bring you access to funding across grants, loans, equity and commercial mortgages with our Finance Finder platform.

Finance Finder has a dedicated business hotline open during working hours, templates and tools to speed through applications, finance updates, news and alerts to keep you updated with funding and grant opportunities.

You can also access a free and impartial financial health assessment to help you find cost savings and efficiencies.

It is a really easy platform to use and you can get started by registering here: Get Started – Swoop Group (swoopfunding.com)

And whilst we are on the subject of saving money…..

Did you know that as a member of Staffordshire Chambers you automatically benefit from a massive discount on AA Roadside Assistance and a discount on car parks at most major UK airports?

Whether you have a small or large fleet of cars or a single commercial vehicle, we can help you to keep your vehicles on the move with Chamber Roadside Assistance.

In partnership with the AA, we will ensure you keep motoring at an exclusive competitive price – you can receive up to 67% discount on the cost of business breakdown cover. Several of our staff take advantage of the discount so I know it is a genuine money saver.

We also have a deal with APH airport car parking which slices a further 15% from their already competitive rates. APH offer valet parking and free transport to and from your terminal to get your holiday off to the right start.

And both discounts can be passed on to your employees, making great benefits to add to their package.

Contact info@staffordshirechambers.co.uk for details of both the AA and APH discounts

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

Staffordshire Chambers is delighted to reveal our full line-up of speakers for the 2023 Let’s Do Business expo.

Joining us at Uttoxeter Racecourse on 12 October, the four speakers will all explore the ways that AI developments can transform your business. This year’s speakers include:

Katie King

Katie King is a published Author, Keynote Speaker and Consultant on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in marketing and CX, as well as, STEM, leadership and business transformation.

Delegates will enjoy an exclusive insight into AI, digital transformation, and the future of marketing from Katie, who was recently voted a ‘Top 10 AI influencer’.

Katie will share her insights on how businesses of all sizes and across all sectors can harness AI ethically for competitive advantage. She will outline how they can take exploit new tools and processes across their marketing, sales, CX and HR, and provide insights into how they can get started, cost-effectively, using her Scorecard for Success.

Sandra Woolley

Sandra Woolley is the visionary Computer Science Research Director at Keele University.

With a background as Deputy Director at Keele University’s prestigious Digital Society Institute, Sandra is leading the charge in shaping the future of AI and technology with a conscience. This exclusive talk, delivered collaboratively by Sandra and Samir Dani, will explore new developments within the field of AI as well as the challenges with their applications. Businesses will be given an insight into the opportunities to harness these technologies for new business models, streamlining operations, and bringing transparency and traceability to organisational processes.

Samir Dani

Samir Dani is the Deputy Director of Keele Business School and Professor of Operations and Supply Chain Management. His expertise span across areas including risk, resilience, sustainability, technology and business models within operations and supply chains.

Samir’s talk will unravel the secrets of transforming challenges into opportunities, crafting business models that thrive amidst the ever-evolving landscape of modern commerce. Whether you’re a business owner, an aspiring AI wizard or are simply curious about the ethical implications of AI, prepare to be inspired as Samir and Sandra the stage to share their insights, experiences and discoveries.

Theocharis Kyriacou

Theocharis will share real-world examples of how AI and Big Data can revolutionise business processes across a range of sectors and business sizes. They will also share compelling case studies on how they worked with local businesses to implement AI and Big Data strategies to streamline their operations, increase productivity, and achieve measurable results. Attendees can learn how these cutting-edge technologies can help improve efficiencies, reduce costs, and gain a competitive edge in today’s digital landscape.

This year’s AI-themed event, sponsored by Business Lodge, Michelin, The HEX Group and Lexus Stoke, will also feature an interactive gaming lounge where people will be able to connect with fellow attendees, network and have some fun with a suite of VR and games provided by industry-leading businesses based in Staffordshire.

To book your free delegate place please click here. To showcase your business to over 1,000 new clients and customers, click here.