Manufacturing…the heartbeat of our economy and the largest sector of employment in our region. 

It’s a sector which has its own dedicated Staffordshire Chambers’ policy forum, with the aim of growing the manufacturing base in Staffordshire.

Take a look around the county.  JCB, Klarius, KMF, Michelin, Ornua, Perkins Engines and Bostik, to name just a few of our larger manufacturers, not to mention scores of other manufacturing businesses, from sole trader upwards.

Thousands of local residents are employed in the manufacturing sector but what are the main issues and challenges facing manufacturing?  It’s something we discussed in last week’s Manufacturers’ forum.

In recent years, manufacturers have found themselves battling against rising costs, particularly the cost of raw materials. Businesses have reported challenges with skills.  The manufacturing sector employs a relatively high proportion of apprentices, compared to other sectors.

We are one of a number of Chambers of Commerce across the UK, who are delivering Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIP) for their respective areas and we are committed to building on the work of the LSIP in bridging the gap between the skills needed by manufacturers and the training and support offered through our training providers.

During our forum, we heard that the environment/sustainability have grown in importance to manufacturers, with more companies looking to attain recognised accreditation such as ISO14001 and B-Corp accreditation. 

Such recognition can enhance a company’s reputation but can also support applications to procure future business.

We’ve had anecdotal feedback of manufacturers unable to source sufficient energy to allow business expansion, or where surplus energy being generated through renewable sources, can’t be offloaded due to Grid limitations.  Our Business Manifesto has called on the Government to deliver on the investment needed for Grid upgrades and it’s something we’ll continue to lobby for, in the coming years.

I’ve already mentioned that the manufacturing sector is home to a relatively high proportion of apprentices but during last week’s meeting, we questioned whether more needed to be done to promote apprenticeship pathways, to students and their parents, as well as to our local schools and colleges.  Many apprentices entering the manufacturing sector will go on to forge a successful career pathway but perhaps that engagement needs to take place at an earlier age, long before students are preparing for GCSE and A-Level exams.

We’re trying to play our part in championing the value of apprenticeships and you can see more information on this, through our ‘Look at Me Now’ website, which showcases local apprenticeship success, as well as highlighting support for both learners and employers:

Look at me now – Look at me now (lookatmenowstaffordshire.co.uk)

More and more of us are becoming aware of the role being played by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and this is already being adopted by some manufacturers but how will AI play out in future?  How can manufacturers’ adopt and effectively implement AI in their day-to-day processes?

If you are a manufacturer, we’d love to get your thoughts on the key issues affecting your business.  An overall list of key issues will feed into the future policy and lobbying work being delivered by our Manufacturers’ forum, with guest speakers lined up for future updates, linked to our Business Manifesto.  Feel free to get in touch:

declan.riddell@staffordshirechambers.co.uk

Last week I joined my fellow Chamber colleagues from across the global network, for the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Global Annual Conference (GAC).

Hosted at the QEII Centre in Westminster, the GAC, brings business leaders from across the UK, and the globe, to come together and discuss the key challenges to build a better future for business, the economy, and people in our local communities. 

The BCC sits at the very centre of a unique network of businesses of all sizes and from across all sectors, within the UK and the rest of the world.  This is why the BCC is the only organisation that helps British businesses to build relationships on every level. 

Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce is proud to be a member of the BCC family, which is greatly respected as the voice of business.

The theme of this year’s GAC was ‘Future of the Economy’, with a Manifesto of the same name being launched and covering five key Challenges:

– People and Work – A skilled workforce meeting business needs
– Green Innovation – A green, innovative and growing economy
– Global Britain – World-leading in trade and inward investment
– Digital Revolution – Connected, secure and dynamic
– Local Economy of the future – Thriving local economies

During the course of the day, we heard from notable business and public figures, who engaged in thought-provoking discussion with colleagues from across the Chamber Network.  Nicola Mendelsohn (Head of Global Business Group, Meta), shared her thoughts on the topic of Artificial Intelligence (AI).  She spoke of her excitement by the opportunity of UK businesses using AI, to gain a competitive advantage over their overseas competitors. 

Richard Gwilliam of Drax Group lent his support for UK businesses to embrace the use of AI and suggested that successful adoption could be worth hundreds of billions of pounds to UK Gross Domestic Product (GDP).  He added that AI adoption should be done at a pace that is “respectful and sympathetic” to the needs of a business.

A Networking Zone gave delegates the chance to meet existing and new contacts, showcasing the very best of British business, and the Chamber Network, from across the UK and around the world.

The GAC had been booked as long ago as last year and with a General Election having been announced, it was good to hear from two well-known politicians who will be fighting for our votes on Thursday.  During the morning, we heard from Shadow Business & Trade Minister (Jonathan Reynolds, MP), just three months after he met with our members in Stoke-on-Trent.  During the afternoon, we heard from Kemi Badenoch, MP (Minister for Women & Equalities).

During the afternoon sessions, we joined further updates on skills and the digital revolution.   It was good to see how these discussions and the BCC Manifesto, link closely to our Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce Manifesto, which is underpinned by the five themes of :

– Connected Staffordshire
– Digital Staffordshire
– Global Staffordshire
– Green Staffordshire
– Skilled Staffordshire

You can view our Manifesto here: https://www.paperturn-view.com/?pid=ODg8814630

Under each of the five themes, we have committed to a number of pledges to address key business issues and drive economic growth in our region.  We will also be asking partners and stakeholders to lend their commitment in playing a part to drive this growth.

If you have any feedback about our Manifesto or our role within the wider British Chambers’ of Commerce (BCC) network, feel free to get in touch:

declan.riddell@staffordshirechambers.co.uk

Last week saw the launch of our Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce Business Manifesto. 

It’s not long to go until the 2024 General Election and time for us to outline our commitments as a Chamber and what we’re asking from partners and stakeholders.

Our Manifesto has identified the five key themes of:

• Connected Staffordshire
• Digital Staffordshire
• Global Staffordshire
• Green Staffordshire
• Skilled Staffordshire

Under each theme, we have identified a number of commitments for us to achieve and a number of commitments that we’ll be asking from partners and stakeholders.

As the voice of the business community in Staffordshire, our Manifesto has identified the key challenges facing our business community and the steps which need to be taken if we are to address these challenges and grow our local economy.

Connected Staffordshire – Focuses on the exceptional connectivity of our county.  With four major airports within an hour’s drive of Staffordshire and an estimated 40% of the UK population within a 2-hour drive, it’s easy to see why a growing number of businesses are based here.   

Transport is a key enabler for business, moving both people and goods.  Greater effort is needed to remove congestion from our local roads and town centres.  Public transport needs to be more accessible, reliable and affordable if more of us are to travel to and from work by bus and train. 

We need to see improved planning processes, coupled with accessible procurement opportunities for all, to support local investment in infrastructure and commercial premises.  A diverse range of commercial premises will hold appeal to all sectors and sizes of business. 

Digital Staffordshire – We look at the evolving landscape of digital technology, which continues to influence the way businesses operate.  A sizeable segment of our population is still grappling with digital poverty. Cyber-attacks pose a tangible threat to the business community and end users.  A significant number of businesses remain unaware of the potentially devastating repercussions of such attacks.  Larger businesses may have some understanding of how to make their best use of new technologies whilst many SME can struggle to deliver real benefits from the available technologies.

Global Staffordshire – Includes a call for our local businesses to explore, collaborate and trade, embracing global opportunities.  We see that global trading continues to face volatility, with post-pandemic, post-Brexit headwinds and supply chain disruption.  Ongoing global conflicts add to the uncertainty faced by our exporters.  Our county has exceptional connectivity to other parts of the UK but more of our local businesses need to seize the opportunities afforded by exporting goods and services overseas, to develop a truly Global Staffordshire.

Green Staffordshire – Looks at the need to educate, adopt and unleash, if our local businesses are to embrace net zero aspirations.  Climate change is now being seen at both a global and local level.  Sustainability has become central to the agendas of all organisations.  Businesses are increasingly acknowledging the significance of taking action at a local level, aligning with the global objective of mitigating the adverse effects of climate change. There are multiple sources of advice and information but too much information can be confusing and misleading.  We want to promote energy efficiency sustainability and a circular economy, curating good practise and showcasing how businesses can play their part.

Skilled Staffordshire – With a need to recruit, upskill and retain our employees.  Challenges remain with recruitment, retention and a tight labour market, especially in sectors such as manufacturing and hospitality.  A more flexible workplace, ongoing training and upskilling can make businesses more accessible to a broader talent pool and help prevent people from leaving the workforce unnecessarily.

You’re invited to read our Business Manifesto by clicking the link:

A copy of the Business Manifesto has been sent to all local Parliamentary candidates ahead of the 2024 General Election and also to political leaders across the county. 

On the topic of the General Election, we’re holding a Hustings event at our Commerce House office (ST1 5BE), on Friday 28^th June at 9AM.  All Parliamentary candidates for the Stoke-on-Trent Central constituency have been invited to meet with the local business community.  Advanced bookings are essential and if you wish to attend, please click on the link to book your place:

Hustings – Meet your Parliamentary Candidates – Stoke-on-Trent Central – Staffordshire Chambers

Our Digital Forum aims to drive the growing digital sector in Staffordshire, enabling businesses to freely exchange information, share best practice and discuss digital innovation, information communication technology and artificial intelligence (AI).

Like all of our Chamber policy forums, we invite member businesses to come together and receive informative updates from guest speakers, before discussing the key issues which then feed into our policy work. 

In this last year, the Digital forum has set up two working groups to focus on the topic of Digital Divide.  A Digital Skills Working Group (DSWG) is connecting businesses and training providers to create a local view of a digital skills pathway to provide learners (and where appropriate their families), with sign posting to technology specific learning opportunities and how the available courses can support a professional career development within the digital sector and beyond.  

By highlighting the digital technology ‘stacks’ that are being taught on open courses, businesses can feedback on what is currently available and highlight where gaps may exist.  This should enable local businesses to better engage with work placement opportunities.

A Digital Divide Working Group (DDWG) has also been established and the area of Digital Divide has been summarised by a four-pillar model, developed by our forum Chair, Charlie Houston-Brown:

1.1 Hardware

1.2 Coms/Internet

1.3 Base Skills (so linking with DSWG)

1.4 Tech Support

I joined the latest DDWG meeting last week, kindly hosted by Staffordshire University.  We received an update from the ‘100% Digital Leeds’ initiative, which supports signposting as part of a citywide digital inclusion programme.    

The initiative has been developed as a means of tackling digital exclusion, which can lead to social inclusion.  We live in a world where technology is king and there is a need to ensure that residents have a good understanding of the personal relevance of digital to their lives and how using digital tools, technology and services can be of benefit.

Our residents also need to feel confident in their ability to engage with digital tools in a safe way.  They need to have the equipment to get connected and then the skills to build confidence and fully embrace technology to improve their lives.

100% Digital Leeds has established a community digital support directory, with effective signposting to local organisations who can offer support to local residents, taking a community-based approach to tackle digital exclusion.

We took a good deal away from the update and we’re now looking at how we can replicate something similar in Staffordshire.  It’s one of a number of strands we are developing, including a means of repurposing unwanted items of hardware (laptops, tablets etc.) and getting these securely wiped and offered to those members of our community who need the tools in order to engage with a digital world.

Both the DDWG and DSWG are open to all businesses across our area and if you would like to get involved, please contact:

declan.riddell@staffordshirechambers.co.uk

I’m kicking off the week by meeting with Stafford Borough Council’s Climate Change Commission. 

I’ve been asked to deliver an update on how Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce is promoting the sustainability agenda to the business community.

This is very much an ongoing journey which started in-house and has so far included the Chambers’ gaining and successfully re-accrediting for ISO14001, a universally recognised standard for environmental management.  ISO14001 clarifies best practise for organisations that wish to reduce their environmental footprint, by adopting an effective environmental management system (EMS).

Gaining ISO14001 accreditation was a significant staging point in the journey and gives us the opportunity to embrace best practise in areas such as how we dispose of our waste.  We have solar panels on the roof of our Commerce House office and at this time of year, with more hours of daylight, the panels make a significant contribution towards our energy consumption.

Our staff are encouraged to contribute ideas on how we can improve our sustainability journey.  The QEST (Quality, Environment & Sustainability Team), has representation from each of our internal teams and meets on a regular basis, developing suggestions and feeding back to our teams.  Over the years, suggestions have included the fitting of automatic light sensors and more efficient use of how we print items, as well as encouraging moves away from paper-based materials.  Getting staff engaged with QEST, is critical in getting that internal “buy-in”.

Our Commerce House office also has two electric vehicle charging spaces.  It’s a perfect way for staff and visitors to charge their vehicles during the working day.  With many motorists not having the benefits of off-road parking at home, the ability to charge a vehicle during the working day, is another incentive to make the switch to an electric vehicle.

As a Chamber, we host a number of policy forums, one of which is our Energy, Environment & Sustainability forum.  This particular forum is tasked with exchanging information on energy, environmental concerns and sustainability within the private sector.  The forum also helps to drive our policy understanding on energy efficiency and environmental sustainability and promoting the development of a sustainable economy in Staffordshire.

Like all of our policy forums, the Energy, Environment & Sustainability forum is made up of Chamber member businesses and in addition to inviting guest speakers to provide informative updates, the forum members help us to debate the key issues which then help to shape and underpin our policy and lobbying work.  This could be in the form of a specific campaign, or writing to the government on a specific issue.

The sustainability agenda is very much at the heart of our new Business Manifesto, which is being launched in the next week.  Our Manifesto will focus on five key themes, one of which is ‘Green Staffordshire’.   We recognise the impact of climate change being seen at both a global and local level.  Businesses are increasingly acknowledging the significance of taking action at a local level, aligning with the global objective of mitigating the adverse effects of climate change.

We will be committing to a number of pledges to drive forward the sustainability agenda and to encourage local businesses to both embrace and achieve net zero aspirations.  Watch this space for the launch of our Manifesto!

If you would like to join our Energy, Environment, Sustainability forum, please get in touch:

declan.riddell@staffordshirechambers.co.uk

After months of speculation, it’s finally been confirmed that the country will go to the polls on Thursday, 4 July.

Rishi Sunak fired the starting gun on what promises to be a very competitive and bruising election campaign over the next five – and a bit – weeks.

With many of us expecting an autumn election, last week’s announcement came on the back of the release of the latest inflation figures, with CPI inflation down to 2.3%.  

It will be the fourth UK General Election in just over nine years and if there is a change of Prime Minister, the new incumbent will become the country’s sixth PM in less than a decade.

The political parties will be publishing their manifestos and so will we! Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce’s Business Manifesto will outline how we will deliver structured and targeted policy campaigning and lobbying work to address each of these themes:

– Connected Staffordshire
– Digital Staffordshire.
– Global Staffordshire.
– Green Staffordshire.
– Skilled Staffordshire.

We’re proud to serve the local business community in Staffordshire and we hope that politicians of all stripes will listen to us and the businesses in our area.

Watch this space for a formal launch of our manifesto!  We’re also hoping to give businesses the chance to meet with parliamentary candidates at a hustings event. Again – watch this space!

A General Election will also see geographical changes to some of our local constituencies. These include the Stone constituency extending to cover Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge. Stafford constituency will now extend northwards to include Eccleshall. The latter constituency is seen as something of a bellwether, being always held by the incumbent government, ever since it was reinstated in 1983.

It all makes for an intriguing few weeks but whatever your political persuasion, we ask that you do the right thing on Thursday 4th July…….by making sure that you cast your vote! If you haven’t registered, here’s a useful link: Register to vote.

2024 is turning out to be a truly global election year, with the citizens of more than 80 countries, including India and the USA, going to the polls in the course of this calendar year. 

Voting is a precious democratic right, so please remember to cast your vote on Thursday 4th July.

Whoever ends up with the keys of 10 Downing Street on the morning of Friday 5 July, will do well to check out the results of our latest Quarterly Economic Survey (QES), which are now being compiled. 

This is where we need your feedback.   

Is your business confidence on the rise or in the dumps?  Are you investing in training and capital equipment?  What are your biggest concerns?   Please take 60 seconds to complete the QES and you’ll be helping us to measure economic performance at a local and national level.  Click here to open the survey.

Last week saw the Government announcement of new powers for communities to regenerate high streets and fill empty shops, due to come into force by the summer. 

The powers will help councils to effectively “level up” high streets and tackle wide-ranging issues linked to long term closure of commercial premises. 

Empty premises can often become something of a magnet for crime and anti-social behaviour.  If residents don’t feel safe in our high streets, footfalll continues to stay low and our hard pressed retailers will continue to struggle.  A new local authority power (High Street Rental Auctions), will be used to tackle the eyesore of empty commercial premises, renting them out to local businesses who want to use them.

Under the new powers, if a high street shop has been empty for over a year, High Street Rental Auctions will allow local leaders to step in and auction off a rental lease for up to five years.  The auction will open up with no reserve price, giving interested local businesses and community groups the opportunity to fill the empty space on the high street but at a competitive market rate.

In a bid to get High Street Rental Auctions up and running as soon as possible, the Government is planning to launch a new ‘trailblazer’ programme, which will allow it to work with a number of communities who are keen to lead the way.  A £2 million support fund will help to get things started during the summer.

Our high streets have changed forever but town centres will continue to play an important role.  At a local level, Stafford Borough Council is pressing ahead with ambitious plans to regenerate our County Town, with the acquisition of Guildhall Shopping Centre and the empty Co-op site on Gaolgate Street.  Independent traders in Stafford town centre had previously issued a “use us or lose us” warning to visitors, amid concerns about footfall.   

The future form of high streets will see more residential premises and a growth in town centre populations.  More people living in towns will help to support town centre retailers and help to generate a thriving night time economy.  If you would like to join the discussion on regeneration, feel free to get in touch:

declan.riddell@staffordshirechambers.co.uk

On a completely separate note, can you please take 60 seconds to fill out our latest Quarterly Economic Survey (QES).   QES is the UK’s longest independent business survey and is widely recognised by the likes of The Bank of England as a valuable check on how the economy is performing.   We need to get a good representation of business sectors and sizes.  Click here to open the QES and thanks for your time:

Last week, we hosted a business round table meeting at Commerce House, with the Bank of England joining a cross-section of local business owners to discuss the performance of the economy. 

We brought together a mix of business sectors including manufacturing, housing, transport, financial services and logistics.

In the last few years, recruiting the right calibre of staff has been a real challenge against the backdrop of a very tight labour market.  During the meeting, there was broad agreement that recruitment is less of an issue for the more general roles within a business. However, selecting the right calibre of candidate for more specialist roles, continues to be a headache.

Housing rents continue to soar in areas like Stoke-on-Trent, with strong demand for rental properties showing no sign of easing.   During last week’s meeting, we heard that the slowdown in the new-build housing market has led to a slowdown in the haulage sector, with reports of some haulage firms going out of business.

There were a number of economic headlines last week.  On Thursday, The Bank of England opted to hold the rate of interest at 5.25%.  There is ongoing speculation that a cut in the rate of interest may be around the corner.    Friday saw the release of ONS figures to indicate a 0.6% growth in the economy during the first three months of the year, effectively lifting the UK out of recession.

It’s fair to say that it’s been a challenging few years for the economy, against the backdrop of a pandemic, eye-watering inflation and wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.   We’re keen to get your view of business performance, as we roll out our latest Quarterly Economic Survey (QES).   The QES is the UK’s longest running independent business survey and is widely recognised by The Bank of England as being a valuable measure of how the economy is performing.

All 53 Chambers’ of Commerce across the UK, will be asking businesses in their regions to take part.  Results are compiled and shared with the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), who will publish an overall summary of national results.  Here at Staffordshire Chambers’, we’ll be analysing results in the county and making both regional and national comparisons.

The QES comprises just 24 questions, most of which have a simple tick box response.  It takes no more than 60 seconds to complete and by taking part, you’ll help to paint a picture of local and national economic performance.  We’re keen for QES responses to be reflective of a wide mix of business sectors and business sizes.  Please spare us a minute of your time.  Your response can be really valuable.  Click here to open QES – Q2, 2024.

Transport is a key enabler for business, moving both people and goods. Staffordshire enjoys exceptional connectivity with four major airports (Birmingham, East Midlands, Liverpool and Manchester) and three major population conurbations (Greater Manchester, Merseyside and West Midlands), all within an hour’s drive.

Last week, I joined our Chamber Transport forum and received some fascinating updates. Professor Hamidreza Gohari Darabkhani of Staffordshire University told us about the key messages from last year’s Conference of the Parties (COP), which highlighted the need to triple the amount of renewable energy available and double energy efficiency improvements by 2030.  The emergence of a new clean energy economy, the close historic relationship between global economic growth indicated by Gross domestic product (GDP) and fossil fuel demand, is being loosened.

The West Coast Mainline and M6 motorway carve through our county in a north-south direction and the A50 offers that vital east-west connectivity.

Our businesses community relies on a road network which is free from congestion and a reliable system of public transport.  The damaging effects of climate change mean that we’ll have to think about how our future transport network will look.

Hydrogen gas is now considered to be the most promising fuel of the future and recognised as a key option to realise the net zero greenhouse gas emissions commitments announced by governments around the world.  Hydrogen has a number of transport applications including cars, trucks, buses, trains, aviation and shipping.  China and South Korea are leading the way in the use of hydrogen in road transport.

Sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), including low-emission hydrogen-based fuels (e.g. synthetic kerosene), are at the highest levels of technology readiness. The world’s first 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) flight from London to New York, took place in November 2023.

From Transatlantic flights to travelling by bus in Stoke on Trent and Staffordshire.  Two of our local authorities (Staffordshire County Council and Stoke-on-Trent City Council), also joined last week’s Transport forum and gave us an update on their respective Bus Service Improvement Plans (BSIP).

Bus passenger numbers have been in decline for many years now and BSIP is seen as a way of getting more of us travelling by bus.  BSIP aims to improve both journey times and journey reliability, which in turn, should help to drive up passenger satisfaction and repeat patronage.

Watch out for news of additional bus services being rolled out at specific times of the week – e.g. early morning, late evening and weekend services.    Improved connectivity to fit around shift start and finish times will be welcome news for workers. 

A number of bus stops will be upgraded with accessibility enhancements, to make it easier to step on and off the bus, improved lighting and CCTV.   With an estimated 27% of Stoke-on-Trent households not having access to a car, it’s clear that there is real potential to drive up passenger numbers and this will be achieved through the offer of an efficient and reliable service, which delivers good value for money.  Getting more of us out of our cars and onto buses will reduce congestion and help to improve air quality for us all.  Watch this space for further BSIP news!

If you would like to join any of our future Chamber Transport forum meetings, please contact:

declan.riddell@staffordshirechambers.co.uk