Staffordshire Chambers was proud to sponsor the 2023 ‘Better World Festival,’ – a two-day event in the city centre that celebrated music, mindfulness, and community engagement.

This free, family-friendly festival was a beacon of positivity, bringing together people of all ages as the city centre was transformed into a hub of creativity, enlightenment, and entertainment.

The heart of the festival was the World Music Stage, located on Piccadilly. Attendees enjoyed performances by international artists, such as the Royal Bollywood Music Strings, Kotu Drummers, and Los Gitanos Kings. The main stage welcomed artists including DJ Kavita and the World folk rap sensation Mobius Loop, both of whom received a warm welcome from the crowd. Returning favorites like Jon Walklate, July Julay, and Julia Mosley once again captivated audiences with their unparalleled talent and energy.

Beyond the captivating musical performances, the festival offered a diverse range of activities. Attendees were able to immerse themselves in mindfulness sessions, engaging talks by inspirational speakers, and meaningful community interactions. The artisan market added a touch of local flavour, featuring unique products from vendors who share a commitment to positive change.

One of the festival’s highlights was the presence of charities supported by the Staffordshire Chambers. These organisations showcased their impactful work within the local community, spotlighting their dedication to making a difference and fostering a better world for all.

The Better World Festival’s resounding success stands as a testament to the power of unity, creativity, and a shared vision for a brighter future. The Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce extends its heartfelt gratitude to all who participated, attended, and supported this incredible event.

The UK’s largest provider of residential energy storage solutions, GivEnergy, is excited to announce the launch of its newest product. The All in One is a cutting-edge battery storage solution set to transform the way billpayers store and use energy.

GivEnergy’s All in One combines a battery and an inverter in one integrated, compact product. Commonly, these two technologies are purchased and installed separately. The solution also comes with a companion backup gateway that keeps homes running during outages. So, customers can become increasingly energy-independent, without having to invest in costly or bulky systems.

“We are thrilled to be launching our new All in One product”, says Jason Howlett, CEO of GivEnergy. “We believe it will revolutionise the way customers live – helping more households save money on their energy spend while protecting the environment.”

The All in One provides customers with a reliable and efficient way to store energy. This energy can come from renewables, or simply from the grid when rates are cheap. The customer can then run their home on sustainable, low-cost battery power – with ample capacity to meet the needs of even the highest-consumption households.

“We believe nobody should be priced out of clean, affordable energy”, adds Jason. “We’re determined to make energy independence viable for every household.”

With that in mind, GivEnergy’s All in One is designed for mass market penetration. The product boasts heavyweight power, within a compact modular product, for an affordable cost. Indeed, with a capacity of 13.5kWh from a single unit, the All in One is disrupting the market for power and price point.

GivEnergy has a track record of delivering premium energy storage products that tackle cost and climate challenges. The company is committed to sustainability and innovation, and the All in One acts as its latest proof. With its advanced features, competitive pricing, and exceptional performance, the All in One is a game-changer in the energy storage industry.

For more information about the GivEnergy All in One, please visit: https://givenergy.co.uk/all-in-one

Business leaders can secure their spaces by emailing kelly.edwards@staffordshirechambers.co.uk

Staffordshire business leaders are set to hear from the most successful Team Pursuit cyclist in history, Ed Clancy OBE at the Chambers’ Business Leaders event on 27 June.

Taking place at The Quarter at Pot Bank from 5:30pm, this exclusive networking event will bring together influential professionals from across the region for an evening of informal connections and valuable conversations.

Chris Plant, Deputy CEO of Staffordshire Chambers, said: “With an impressive track record, including gold medals in three successive Olympics and multiple World Championships, Ed’s expertise and experience are unmatched.

“We can’t wait to hear his inspiring journey from his early days in Yorkshire to becoming a cycling icon, while enjoying valuable insights into the world of endurance cycling.”

Ed’s retirement from Team GB in 2021 marked the end of an era, but his passion for the sport continues. He currently works with British
Cycling’s Research and Innovation Team and consults for British Triathlon.

Joining Ed Clancy will be special guest speaker Martin Meir of Kamm Projects and REAP Bikes. Martin will be sharing insights and showcasing his Staffordshire-made masterpieces, REAP racing bikes.

REAP’s remarkable machines, developed and manufactured in Stoke-on-Trent by Kamm’s top-tier engineering team, are renowned for their supreme stiffness under power and ultra-precise handling.

Don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity to network with fellow business leaders, learn from industry experts, and be inspired by the stories of success and resilience. Places cost £20+VAT per person.

Business leaders can secure their spaces by emailing kelly.edwards@staffordshirechambers.co.uk

Refugees from countries including Ukraine and Syria are being supported into work across Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire by a partnership between two Chambers of Commerce.

Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce and East Midlands Chamber are working together to develop refugees’ skills, employability and social integration, with the aim of enhancing confidence among individuals who have fled war, violence or persecution to take on jobs here – and in turn help businesses to fill vacancies.

In response to the crisis in Ukraine, members of East Midlands Chamber’s employment services team have made weekly visits to Nottingham Ukrainian Cultural Centre to help refugees arriving in the area.

Staffordshire Chambers Positive Pathways project manager Julie Priestnall said: “We are currently working with many refugees who want to work and make a valuable contribution to their host community. They are highly skilled and capable individuals who hold qualifications and practical experience across many areas of work.

“The impact of Positive Pathways has been enormous – not just on the individuals who have needed our support to give them the confidence to take on jobs but also to the local economy, which has benefitted from their skills to plug gaps in the labour market. Global events mean this type of support is needed now more than ever.”

Some of the barriers to employment faced by refugees include a lack of work references or knowledge of the labour market, not having completed education before fleeing their country or qualifications not being recognised in the UK.

Paul Needham, head of employment services at East Midlands Chamber, which represents Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire, said: “Given the extremely tight labour market we are experiencing right now – our research shows that while six in 10 East Midlands businesses attempted to recruit in the first three months of 2023, almost three-quarters (73%) of those struggled to fill roles – we have been engaging businesses about the benefits of adopting inclusive recruitment policies to open up vacancies to a wider pool of people, including refugees.

The team has supported more than 150 individuals with personalised training courses, CV and job application writing, interview preparation, housing and financial assistance, introductions to employers, including Nottingham Venues, Pizza Factory and Smyths Toys. It has also worked with Nottingham-based charity Refugee Roots to provide English language lessons and address mental health barriers.

“Staffordshire Chamber has had great success within its own area, providing further job opportunities that  enable refugees to integrate into our society and contribute to the communities they now call home.”

Find out more about Positive Pathways by clicking here.

The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) released this week show the consumer price index (CPI) rate of 8.7%, indicating that after several false starts, the peak in inflation looks to have passed. This is further evidenced by a significant slowdown in the producer price input rate to 3.9%. It was falls in gas and electricity costs that provided the largest downward contribution to the CPI.

However, lets not get carried away that the problems caused by inflation will suddenly vanish. Prices continue to rise from an already high base, after 18 months of price shocks.  Just look at the way food prices continue to soar week on week.

The last 18 months has had a devastating impact on many small firms who were just starting to see activity bounce back following the removal of Covid restrictions.

With the interest rate currently at 4.5%, widespread skills shortages, and trade frictions on the rise, the cost of doing business is the highest in years.

Action by the Government to help with the squeeze on the labour supply, reform of business rates and support on exports would go some way to helping business face the future with more confidence.

We will be continuing to put pressure on the Government to act. In the meantime, if you have any specific issues you would like to raise please contact Declan Riddell: declan.ridell@staffordshirechambers.co.uk

You can view the full ONS report here: Inflation and price indices – Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk)

You can also add weight to our argument by completing our latest quarterly economic survey (QES) which gives a snapshot of how business is faring in relation to sales, investment, staff recruitment and training etc.

Results of our QES feed directly into the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) QES which is then discussed at the highest level with Government ministers and the Bank of England.

It takes about five minutes to fill out the QES. Thank you in advance: https://forms.office.com/e/UP2HAthvfg

Save the date and book your stand now – Let’s do Business 2023

Staffordshire’s largest business expo, Let’s do Business returns this year on 12^th October at Uttoxeter Racecourse.

With over exhibitors and 1000 visitors on the day it is a great way to showcase your business, make new contacts and catch up with existing ones as well being inspired by our keynote speakers.

This year we are featuring speakers and thought-provoking panel discussions with some of the world’s most renowned experts in the field of AI and data revolution.

The event will also feature an interactive gaming lounge where you can connect with fellow attendees, network and have some fun with a suite of VR and games provided by industry-leading businesses based right here in Staffordshire.

Exhibition stands cost just £249 +vat for members and they are selling fast. Its free to attend as a day visitor but you need to book.

All the information you need can be found here: Let’s Do Business – Staffordshire Chambers

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

Small businesses need to conquer their fears of cloud technology if they are to thrive in the next decade, experts have warned.

Experts from HostingSystems.co.uk claim many small companies still remain wary of using cloud technology and perceive it as something new and untested.

But the reality is cloud systems have been around for more than 20 years and have been improving throughout that time.

Far from being a technological new kid on the block, the experts say cloud technology is now in its mid twenties and should no longer be perceived as something new.

HostingSystems.co.uk have been specialising in cloud based storage systems since 2001 and the team there say that while most organisations and individuals have now embraced the technology, a sizable number remain sceptical.

Just as many people still like to print off their photos and display them in albums, some companies and organisations still feel they need to pay for expensive servers to store their own data with many still printing hard copies of documents and storing them in filing cabinets.

But cloud storage offers a much more affordable and sustainable alternative to paying for expensive and energy consuming servers.

Juliet Moran, Technical Director of HostingSystems.co.uk said cloud technology had come a long way in the past two decades.

“We have been specialising in cloud based storage systems since the early days of the technology and have 22 years experience of offering solutions to businesses and organisations.

“In the earliest days of cloud technology people were very concerned about storing their data off site in the cloud with many preferring to retain expensive and inefficient servers on their own premises.

“Over the years most people have come to understand the merits of using the cloud and most businesses have now migrated across to this much more efficient technology. As more and more organisations adopt cloud based storage solutions the cost has come down making it even more attractive and affordable compared to traditional data servers.

“Yet there still remains a minority of decision makers within businesses and organisations who are sceptical about cloud storage and perhaps concerned their data is unsafe. The reality is storing data on the cloud is actually far safer than storing it on a server which could fail at any time and may not be properly backed up.

“It really is time to call a halt to cloud technology scepticism and for people to realise that this tech is not the new kid on the block anymore. It’s now a grown up mature technology which has been around for more than 20 years and which has been invested in heavily across all of that time. Over the next decade this technology is set to make further strides and those who haven’t got on board risk being left behind.

“I would urge anyone who isn’t using the cloud for their data storage to overcome their fears and to sign up for this technology right away.

“It really does offer a wealth of benefits including cost savings, more secure backup and greater sustainability. There really is no good reason to avoid cloud based technology in 2023.”

On Wednesday of last week, I visited the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Global Annual Conference with some of our patrons and members.

With over 700 people in attendance, it was the biggest BCC event ever and the line-up of stellar political speakers showed how far the Chambers’ network has come in gaining the ear of current (and possibly future) governments. The Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt MP; the Leader of his Majesty’s Opposition, Sir Kier Starmer MP; as well as the Governor of the Bank of England, Andrew Bailey all gave speeches and answered questions from the audience. It was a real chance to see influence direct from Chamber members to decision-makers in action.

With breakout sessions on skills, the green economy, developing economic growth and trade, delegates got even more chances to talk to each other and influence the conversations on policy.The Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), Shevaun Haviland, spoke out in her keynote address, urging Government to put business at the heart of its plans to revive the UK economy.

The BCC’s President is one of Britain’s true digital pioneers, Baroness Martha Lane Fox, who has been at the heart of digital innovation. She closed the conference with an impassioned speech on the transformative power of technology and how, with the Chambers’ support, businesses can tackle the challenges ahead and redesign our future.

Chambers are working to ensure that the UK continues to work hard so that when global investors are deciding where to put their money, they see in the UK the conditions, talent, and access to finance that make it one of the best places in the world to invest. The UK is a leader in green innovation but with the lack of direction by government, we are seeing the US and the EU moving ahead, and fast becoming a far more attractive opportunity for those businesses.

The Conference was also used by BCC to launch a new campaign – Where Business Belongs – and you can view the video (you have to wait a while before I appear!) Where Business Belongs (britishchambers.org.uk)

Mental Health Awareness Week

Last week was Mental Health Awareness Week, and the theme this year is anxiety.

This comes in a week when the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that the number of Britons not working due to long-term sickness has hit a record high of 2.5 million, with the increase largely driven by a steep rise in mental health problems among young people. Neck and back pain and the effects of long Covid are amongst the other contributory factors.

Every one of us experiences anxiety, but sometimes it can get out of control and become a mental health problem.

Lots of things can lead to feelings of anxiety, including exam pressures, relationships, starting a new job (or losing one) or other big life events such as bereavement. We can also get anxious when it comes to things to do with money, the cost of living and not being able to meet our basic needs, like heating our home or buying food.

Here at Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce we have first-hand experience of the effect of anxiety, especially since the pandemic when all the certainties in life disappeared.

Several of our current member businesses are people who had a complete change of lifestyle due to anxiety or wellbeing issues. By changing tack and launching businesses to fit with their lifestyle they have removed much of the anxiety from their lives, and many are running business to enable others to do the same.

There are good examples in Daily Focus such as Amanda Mikalauskas and Karen Burgess-Jones of Vici Coaching and Julie Bricknall of Inspired Mindset. You can read these stories and many more here: Daily Staffordshire Business News – Daily Focus (daily-focus.co.uk)

The Mental Health Foundation are hoping that focusing on anxiety will increase people’s awareness and understanding of anxiety by providing information on the things that can help prevent it from becoming a problem. At the same time, as keeping up the pressure to demand change – making sure that improving mental health is a key priority for the government.

If you or anyone you know is suffering from anxiety there is a useful resource from the Mental Health Foundation here: Get help | Mental Health Foundation

We also have a specific member benefit where members can access a 24/7 advice and counselling service as well as face-to-face counselling services provided by Westfield Health. This confidential telephone service provides professional support for wellbeing issues like stress, anxiety, problems at work, as well as guidance and information on a wide range of health and lifestyle matters. Contact membership@staffordshirechambers.co.uk

If you would like to discuss any of the issues and how they are affecting your business please contact our policy adviser, Declan Riddell Declan.riddell@staffordshirechambers.co.uk

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

Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce is thrilled to announce the addition of a new strategic partner, Afford Rent-a-Car.

The car and vehicle rental specialists will now unlock a range of exclusive perks including an increased company profile and direct support from the Chambers’ senior leadership team.

Chris Plant, Deputy CEO of Staffordshire Chambers, said: “I am thrilled to have Afford Rent-a-Car join our Strategic Partnership at Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce.

“We are excited about the possibilities this partnership will bring and look forward to working closely with the company to drive success and prosperity in our region.

“The strategic partnerships are an extension of our current membership offer and it’s great to see so many leading local businesses taking up the partnership.”

Afford have four branches spread across Stoke-on-Trent, Stafford and Crewe, and offer a minimum 5% discount for online quotes as well as special offer discounts of up to 20%. Find out more, here.

Businesses interested in exploring the strategic partnership opportunity are encouraged to obtain further information by emailing karena.pawlak@staffordshirechambers.co.uk. Staffordshire Chambers looks forward to welcoming new strategic partners and continuing to champion business excellence in the region.

ExtraMile Communications has rebranded to ‘Extramile Digital’ as part of an ambitious growth plan, which will see the Staffordshire-based agency grow by 20% over the next 12 months.

The new name, new website launch and brand identity are part of Extramile Digital’s ongoing expansion. In April and May the company has successfully recruited a new social media manager, content manager, and account manager, with a further three positions in web development, sales and software development currently advertised.

Managing Director Amanda Brooke said: “The change of name to Extramile Digital better reflects our focus as a digital marketing agency.

“The rebrand also supports our drive to attract additional talent in digital marketing to our team as we continue to grow. We have several vacancies currently being advertised. We are proud to offer the chance to work on global digital campaigns for high-profile consumer and business-to-business clients, in a fast-paced, creative and collaborative environment.

“In recent years we have seen growth across our digital services – in web development and digital design, search engine optimisation (SEO), paid search and social campaigns.”

Sales and Marketing Director James Roberts added: “Following our management buyout in August 2021, this feels like the right time to rebrand. It’s a great opportunity to better reflect us as a business, our positioning in the market, and our values as an employer and agency partner.”

The company attributes recent expansion to a combination of increased revenue from existing clients, and a greater national presence. Clients include Garmin, Continental, EV Cargo and Fuchs Lubricants.

Visit the new website at www.extramiledigital.com