Applications are now open for the 2024 East Staffordshire and South Derbyshire Business Awards.

This hugely-popular annual celebration, which is now in its 14th year, spotlights the achievements of businesses in East Staffordshire and South Derbyshire – recognising their hard work, innovation and success during the last 12 months and beyond.

There are a total of 10 award categories that businesses and organisations can enter. Find a full list of award categories and sponsors, here. Entries into multiple categories is also encouraged.

Dave Bryon, who will return to host the 2024 awards ceremony, said: “This event has become a cornerstone of our local business community, recognising the incredible achievements of businesses in East Staffordshire and South Derbyshire.

“It’s our way of celebrating the hard work, innovation, and success of our local businesses over the past year and beyond.

“This year, we have 10 award categories, and we’re encouraging businesses to enter as many as they see fit. Whether it’s for innovation, customer service, or community impact, there’s a category to highlight every business’s strengths.”

An award win can help your business to attract new clients, unlock new PR & marketing opportunities and improve your business credibility.

The Steering Committee and judging panels will visit the shortlisted Finalists during October, with the Gala Awards Evening confirmed for Thursday 14 November, once again at the Pirelli Stadium, home of Burton Albion FC.

Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce will play a greater role this year in the running and administration of the Awards.

Start your free application, here.

Staffordshire Chambers’ International Trade Centre is celebrating a record 12 months after facilitating the export of goods valued at over £30 million.

It’s the busiest year on record for the International Trade Centre (ITC) that has helped Staffordshire businesses of all sectors and sizes to enter new international markets.

And now ITC manager Allison Tomlinson is calling on local businesses to consider exporting to boost their sales with the support of the Chamber.

Allison said: “This milestone is testament to the resilience, ingenuity, and hard work of our local businesses who continue to expand into oversees markets with the support of the Chamber.

“From manufacturing to technology, and from artisanal products to innovative services, these businesses have successfully unlocked new international markets, reinforcing Staffordshire’s reputation as a hub of international excellence.”

It’s the busiest year on record for the Chambers’ International Trade Centre that has added a number of new recruits to their team following a period of sustained growth.

Allison added: “We offer the necessary support, advice, and resources to help these companies navigate the complexities of international trade.

“We are incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together, and continue to assist businesses in exporting their products, including market research, export documentation, trade missions, and networking opportunities.”

Their expert team works closely with companies to understand their unique needs and challenges, providing tailored solutions that drive success in the global marketplace.

For more information about the Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce International Trade Centre and its services, please email exportmailbox@staffordshirechambers.co.uk

Over 40 senior business leaders attended the launch of a new initiative designed to progress Staffordshire firms to a place of excellence and put them ahead of the competition.

Excellence in Staffordshire is a collaboration between performance improvement specialists, Investors in Excellence Group and Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce.

Covering all performance areas, the programme will guide improving achievements through effective and efficient leadership, resourcing, and identifying what matters most to drive continuous improvement. 

The programme was officially launched at Commerce House, Festival Park last Thursday by Staffordshire Chambers Deputy CEO Chris Plant and Investors in Excellence Chief Executive Judy Hart, who unveiled a series of uncomplicated tools and modules to guide an organisation to achieve excellence.

Investors in Excellence Chief Executive Judy Hart said: “I’m delighted that so many people turned up today to find out more about what Excellence in Staffordshire can do for their business.

“I’m also very excited about the partnership with Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce. As the lead organisation for business support in Staffordshire they set a very high bar in terms of leadership, collaboration and vision and are committed to making sure everyone in their community benefits from a strong and prosperous local economy.

“Today’s launch was just the start of a journey to excellence, and we are already working on a series of Excellence in Staffordshire events and workshops to build a collaborative network and share best practice.”

The event’s keynote speaker, David Webster, Chief Executive of Douglas MacMillan Hospice, endorsed the Investors in Excellence standard which they began working towards in 2017. In 2022, they became the first hospice in the UK to achieve the globally recognised Investor in Excellence Standard. 

He told the audience how the hospice strived to be admired as a centre of excellence for palliative and end of life care and how he and his team have worked with Investors in Excellence to manage change, innovate, and deliver care and services that really make a difference to people’s lives.

Chris Plant, Deputy CEO of Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce added: “We were really pleased to host Excellence in Staffordshire at the Chamber. We will be hosting future meetings here so that we can help any business or organisation work towards excellence via this programme.”

Kevin Hart, Group MD and Programme Director at Investors in Excellence outlined how Excellence in Staffordshire will focus on driving business success through its unique collaboratory where people collab (share), oratory (listen and speak), to harness and enhance the full potential of human capability, unlocking potential, and improving performance through strategic development, continuous improvement, and sustainable growth.

The first Excellence in Staffordshire workshop will take place in September, date to be announced. If anyone is interested in finding out more and registering for updates, they can contact Mark Brammar mba@markbrammar.co.uk

A collection of images from the 2024 Staffordshire Chambers Business Awards are now ready to view for free in an online gallery.

Finalists and sponsors can now relive the captivating moments from the ceremony last Thursday, as captured by the Chambers’ team of professional photographers.

Use the following link to see all of the images from the night. Click here for the gallery.

Don’t forget to share your favourite images with us on social media using #StaffsBizAwards and the tag, @StaffsChambers.

Copies of the Awards brochure are available to collect from Commerce House.

Speaking about the evening, Staffordshire Chambers CEO, Rachel Laver, said: “Our Chamber Awards night is a true highlight in our event calendar, and the 2024 celebration exceeded expectations with an outstanding assembly of the region’s top businesses and industry leaders.

“The significant number of entries for this year’s awards showcases the relentless entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to excellence in our region, underscoring Staffordshire’s vibrant business ecosystem and its prestigious reputation as a centre for innovation and success.

“As always, our diligent judges faced the formidable challenge of narrowing down the high-quality entries to three nominees for each of the 15 categories.

“We’re already looking forward to next year!”

It’s been a whirlwind few weeks at Commerce House – as we hosted Staffordshire’s biggest business awards ceremony and welcomed a new Government, all in the space of 24 hours!

I’d like to congratulate and welcome the new and returning MPs who were successful in their election campaigns last week. 

At Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, we are eager to work closely with the new Labour government to strengthen our local economies.

Jonathan Reynolds has been appointed as the new Secretary of State for Business and Trade. I was heartened to see Jonathan voice a strong commitment to an industrial strategy, which is exactly what our business community needs. It’s fantastic to see an eagerness to engage with businesses to understand what works well and what support they need.

I was also encouraged by Rachel Reeves’ discussion about developing on brownfield land. Many central areas are blighted by these sites, which negatively impact perceptions and deter investment. A national Brownfield Land Program to secure gap funding for these sites would be greatly beneficial.

Additionally, I hope to see a simplification of business support programs and more coordinated efforts, so more funds can go directly to supporting businesses rather than administering programs.

Our Chamber manifesto, which we distributed to all local election candidates ahead of the general election, is structured around five pivotal themes, and outlines the targeted policy work that we will follow to help enable economic growth across Staffordshire.

It would be great to see local MPs align their business considerations with this manifesto as we drive toward a prosperous future for the Staffordshire business community.

Awards success

The general election wasn’t the only thing grabbing the headlines on 4 July.

Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce hosted our annual business awards ceremony at the DoubleTree by Hilton, Festival Park.

It was a night filled with celebration, recognition and inspiration as we honoured the outstanding achievements of our local business community.

Taking home the coveted Business of the Year Award was waste management experts, Brown Recycling. Digital forensic experts Semantics 21 also shone brightly, winning an impressive trio of honours. A huge congratulations to all of our winners on the evening.

Pictures from the evening are now available to view online. Thank you to everyone who attended and made the night so special.

The King’s Awards for Enterprise

Applications for this year’s King’s Award for Enterprise are now open.

Last year, Staffordshire Chambers was honoured with the King’s Award for Enterprise in Promoting Opportunity through social mobility, a prestigious recognition presented by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for Staffordshire, Ian Dudson.

Being one of just nine businesses nationwide to receive this accolade was a proud moment for the Chamber, recognising in particular the work of our Boosting Women in Business and Positive Pathways programs.

We encourage all eligible businesses to submit an entry for this year’s King’s Award for Enterprise. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your efforts in driving social mobility and making a difference in your community.

We will be hosting a free King’s award writing masterclass at Commerce House. Keep your eyes on our social channels for updates – it would be great to see you there.

East Staffordshire and South Derbyshire Business Awards

Finally on the topic of awards, you may have seen that applications for the annual East Staffordshire and South Derbyshire Business Awards are now open.

This hugely-popular annual celebration, which is now in its 14th year, spotlights the achievements of businesses in East Staffordshire and South Derbyshire – recognising their hard work, innovation and success during the last 12 months and beyond.

Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce will play a greater role this year in the running and administration of the Awards.

Eligible businesses can submit an application, here. Good luck with your applications!

Latest GDP figures

The latest GDP data from the Office for National Statistics have been released this week.

The UK has had a strong start to the year, with new data showing a 0.9% growth in GDP for the three months leading up to May, which is better than expected.

Growth for May itself also increased by 0.4%, with the services sector performing well. This indicates that the economic shocks of the past five years are diminishing as businesses return to a growth trajectory.

Our latest economic survey, which received a record number of responses from local businesses, revealed an improvement in business confidence.

However, this positive sentiment has not yet led to increased investment for most SMEs. The BCC’s most recent quarterly economic forecast predicts GDP growth of 0.8% for the entirety of 2024.

Hopefully we continue to see positive growth throughout Q3 and Q4 as the economy continues to move in the right direction.

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

A leading video production company based in Staffordshire has won multiple accolades at the prestigious EVCOM Clarion Awards 2024.  

Reels in Motion, attended the award evening at the LSEG in London and took home three trophies. These include one Gold for Brand Communication, and two Bronze for the Environmental and the Education & Training categories.  

They were awarded for their video collaboration with Slicker Recycling. The award-winning video was created to educate and inspire audiences to become sustainability champions by recycling waste oil, thereby contributing to the circular economy and helping to protect the planet. 

Read more via Daily Focus.

The latest national Quarterly Economic Survey results released by the British Chambers of Commerce show a slight improvement in business confidence and conditions.

38% of firms, an increase of 2% from Q1, have experienced an increase in domestic sales over the previous three months, while 43% reported no change, and 20% a decrease.

After a static picture in Q1, business confidence has increased slightly in Q2. 58% of firms say they are expecting an increase in turnover over the next year compared with 56% in Q1. 29% expect no change and only 13% expect a decrease.

The localised QES results for Staffordshire businesses were exclusively revealed in Daily Focus last week. Click here to read the results.

Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce said: “It’s really encouraging to see positive shoots of recovery from businesses across the UK. 

“Confidence has been improving among companies in recent months. Our data show the tangible impact of that positivity, as businesses report improved sales and cashflow. But investment levels remain an area of concern.

“Our message to the new Government is clear. We need a long-term economic plan that has the green transition at its heart, with a workforce fit for the future, living in thriving local places and powered by businesses that are globally facing and digitally enabled. 

“Business stands ready to work in partnership with Government to capitalise on the positive signs our data is showing.”

More detail on the QES results can be found here.

Staffordshire’s leading businesses enjoyed an evening of celebration last night at the ninth annual Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce Business Awards.

Taking home the coveted Business of the Year Award was Stoke-on-Trent-based Waste Management experts, Brown Recycling.

Digital forensic experts Semantics 21 took home a hattrick of honours, winning the Small Business of the Year Award, Digital Award, as well as the Innovation, Science & Technology Award.

Also among the night’s winners was Karen Jennings, who was voted the We Are Staffordshire Ambassador of the Year for her work at Lichfield Cathedral.

The complete list of winners on the night was:

Rachel Laver, Staffordshire Chambers CEO, said: “We are thrilled to celebrate the incredible achievements of our local businesses at the 2024 Business Awards.

“Last night’s event was a testament to the innovation, resilience and excellence that define our brilliant business community.

“It was inspiring to see so many outstanding companies and industry leaders come together to recognise the hard work and dedication that drive our region forward.

“Congratulations to all the winners, who truly exemplify the best of Staffordshire. Your achievements are a source of pride for us all and set a benchmark for future success.”

Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce would like to extend its thanks to all of the sponsors, partners, judges, and attendees whose invaluable support contributed to the resounding success of the 2024 Business Awards.

For more information about Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce and its initiatives, please visit StaffordshireChambers.co.uk/awards