Aspiring entrepreneurs are being urged to join our next Boosting Women in Business cohort that launches in September.

Through a series of events, workshops and one-to-one support, we offer a safe and supportive environment where you can learn to understand the value of your skill set and how these skills can translate into running your own business.

Our programme will give you the fundamental knowledge you need to transition into the world of self-employment.

Tom Nadin, Head of Projects at Staffordshire Chambers, said: “As an organisation, we believe that enterprise, self-employment and growing businesses are a great way to help people change their lives.

“We are very proud of the Boosting Women programme which has already helped 51 women through confidence boosting workshops and one-to-one support. 18 participants have gone on to start their own businesses in the last 12 months alone.”

If you’re interested in launching your own business, register your interest by emailing evy.boden-smith@staffordshirechambers.co.uk.

Across the UK there is an urgent need for foster carers and sadly the situation is set to worsen as the cost-of-living crisis bites harder over the coming months.

In Stoke-on-Trent alone, there are currently over 1,000 children in care. This is the highest figure on record and double the number from five years ago.

It can cost thousands of pounds a month to place a child in a care home whereas fostering costs are much lower and more likely to provide an environment which gives a child a better chance of future stability.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council are desperately trying to recruit more foster carers, not just in the city but from the surrounding areas. They have a particularly urgent need for their emergency placements, often one or two days, and respite care where foster families may have holidays or other commitments.

Staffordshire Chambers has recently been awarded Foster Friendly status – the national Fostering Network’s programme to encourage employers to support fostering, and in particular, foster carers.

The Fostering Network is the UK’s leading fostering charity and are the essential network for fostering, bringing together everyone who is involved in the lives of fostered children.  They champion fostering and seek to create vital change so that foster care is the very best it can be. As part of that they have the Fostering Friendly programme which has been developed to encourage employers to support fostering, and in particular, foster carers.

To be recognised as a Fostering Friendly employer we’ve had to demonstrate our support for employees, making the workplace friendlier for foster carers to benefit the children in their care and making it easier for people to consider fostering.

Members of the scheme agree to put in place a fostering-friendly HR policy for all foster carers and we now have a new fostering-friendly policy for all our employees. It sets out the benefits for any staff member who decides to come forward to become a foster carer including flexible working arrangements and paid time off for training and settling a new child into their home.

We are urging organisations and businesses across Staffordshire to become Fostering Friendly. Also, Stoke-on-Trent is aiming to become the first Fostering Friendly city in the UK, and I know many of our fabulous socially responsible businesses will be keen to sign up to this most worthy cause.

You can meet the Stoke-on-Trent fostering team at Let’s do Business at Uttoxeter Racecourse on 20^th October: Let’s Do Business – Staffordshire Chambers

To learn how you can become a Fostering Friendly employer click the links here:

Fostering friendly | Fostering friendly | Stoke-on-Trent

Fostering Friendly | The Fostering Network

Or contact Kate Bailey at Soke-on-Trent City Council: kate.bailey@stoke.gov.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

An organisation that has helped hundreds of Staffordshire businesses to grow through innovation is set to move into a new home on Festival Park, Stoke-on-Trent.

The Staffordshire Business Innovation Centre, better known as Staffs BIC, was founded in 1995 as part of a European network of innovation centres. It encourages and promotes innovation within Staffordshire by helping individuals and companies through advice, workshops, seminars and funding for their innovative work and projects.

They will now be based at Commerce House on Festival Park, headquarters of Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce.

Sandra Butterworth from Staffs BIC said: “This is a great move for our clients and our team. We have always worked very closely with Staffordshire Chambers and share connections with hundreds of local businesses. The location is fantastic, right in the heart of the city and Commerce House has ample parking and superb facilities such as its state-of-the-art member’s lounge.”

Staffs BIC offers one-to-one practical business advice; grant funding; self-development workshops, webinars, and networking events. It helps businesses to evaluate and develop inventions, innovations, and new technologies. It is a not-for-profit organisation and has been funded through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Following the UK’s exit from the EU this funding will transition to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

Sara Williams, CEO of Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce said: “I am delighted to welcome Staffs BIC to Commerce House. Our two organisations share the same commitment to building prosperity in our local economy through helping our businesses to be innovative, inventive, and forward thinking.

“BIC CEO Geoff Riley has served on our board and council, and we have a history of working together which will be further cemented by being co-located.”

For more information about Staffs BIC visit: www.thebic.co.uk

Last week, the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee announced an increase in interest rates to 1.75% from 1.25%, in response to rising inflation which is forecast to reach over 13% in October 2022. The news of increasing interest rates was accompanied by the Monetary Policy Committees’ predictions for the UK to enter a recession by the end of this year, which is likely to cause business confidence to remain low in the forthcoming months.

The increase in inflation, alongside the impacts of the war in Ukraine and the surge in energy and fuel costs has caused the cost of living and doing business crisis to emerge. Businesses across the nation have been dealing with financial pressures from all directions which has consequently impacted cash flow as well as business growth and investment, all of which are key factors to a thriving economy.

Sara Williams, CEO of Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, said: “In order to rebuild the UK’s economy it is critical that businesses are provided with the necessary support, especially as costs continue to increase.

“Many firms will also feel more pressure to support staff by increasing wages and salaries to meet the demands of the cost of living. The government needs to prioritise business support and ease some of the pressure that they are facing, with immediate measures including cutting VAT from energy bills, expanding the shortage occupation list, and cutting up front costs for businesses.”

Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce runs an Employment, Skills and HR Forum with meetings taking place once every quarter. The next meeting, taking place on the 9th of September will address the cost of living and doing business crisis and will discuss ways in which firms can support their staff, especially as the country approaches a recession.

To book your place at the next forum visit: https://staffordshirechambers.co.uk/product/employment-skills-hr-forum-2/ or email Suzanne.quinn@staffordshirechambers.co.uk for more information.

With a background in software development, working for start-ups, large corporates, the public sector and one of the world’s largest online betting companies – it’s no surprise that Matt Hegarty has found success that focuses on his experiences.

Back in late 2018, it all started in Matt’s own words “by speaking with compliance professionals in the gambling sector, to try to understand the kinds of issues they were facing”.

He soon saw that Player Protection was becoming an important issue for gambling companies as they were coming under increasingly closer scrutiny to ensure that they took steps to prevent their customers losing more than they could afford.

Matt’s research led him to conclude that there was a gap in the commercially available software market for something designed to help the Safer Gaming teams fulfil their responsibilities for player safety. Hence, the arrival of Playervis just over two and a half years ago.

Short for Player Visibility, Playervis is a web-based app designed to enable Safer Gaming teams to manage their player protection. Easy to ingrate with existing systems, not only does it take pressure off a company’s compliance staff, it also saves time and effort in tracking problem gaming – something that’s been in the spotlight in recent times.

“It all started by me producing a demo” states Matt, “and then a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), and I was able to gain interest and on-board the first customers in Spring 2020.”

With a varied role, including being the lead developer on the product, as well as speaking to potential customers and following -up with sales and on-boarding, it is clear that Matt was determined to make Playervis work.

“It’s fair to say that Playervis is a very niche product, so there are a relatively small number of companies operating in this space at present. The product is well-suited to making the Safer Gaming teams manage their workloads and become more efficient.

“I work closely with the customers to make sure that the product is the right fit for them.”

What sets Playervis and Matt apart from many competitors is his use of the Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce’s Let’s Do Mentoring programme. Matt had already met his soon-to-be mentor Jeremy Stinton at a previous company, who knew that Matt was starting a software business and offered to mentor him.

“It was a pretty easy decision to make”, admits Matt.

“I knew that Jeremy had been successful in running his own business, and that he had a lot of experience in sales with B2B products, so I jumped at the chance of having Jeremy as my mentor.”

With a track record in helping businesses grow, Jeremy’s experience ranges from co-founding a successful digital video marketing agency taking it to acquisition before working for enterprise technology platforms looking to grow and scale. Currently, he is driving UK market growth for webinars/video marketing platform, Twenty Three.

With particular expertise in sales, customer success and marketing, complemented by experience in operations and product, Jeremy himself experienced mentoring that he himself calls “invaluable”. Therefore, Jeremy was very keen to ‘give back’ to others through mentoring.

When asked what he thought Matt’s strengths were, Jeremy said: “Well, Matt comes with first-hand insider experience of the online gambling world in which he is operating. He is one of those rare people who is both very strong technically, with a senior software development background, but he also has the ability to build rapport and talk the client’s language.

“As a result, he has executed a text-book product development: He has created a valuable, scalable technology solution to a genuine and widespread problem within his market. As we know, starting a business is extremely tough, but Matt has the drive and perseverance necessary to keep going and continually evolve his sales and commercial skills.”

Through their Let’s Do Mentoring sessions, Matt has set key targets. Founding a business can be a lonely experience and so both agreed early on that the most helpful forum for Matt would be a series of informal chats, in which Jeremy acted as a sounding board for his ideas, concerns and barriers.

“Jeremy and I tend to meet on an ad-hoc basis. Pre-COVID, we were able to meet in a coffee shop for an hour or so and I would send Jeremy a summary of any developments”, states Matt, “and during the meeting, we’d chat about strategy, and what to focus on next. Obviously that has changed, as has so much since the pandemic started. Our meetings have become less strategic and more specific over time. This is because the product and company have been maturing as we’ve gone on.

“The initial main focus was based on driving revenue and keeping pushing forward to secure the crucial early recurring revenue sales that would underpin Playervis and ensure its financial viability.”

As the product matured, Jeremy was able to help Matt with specific questions related to onboarding the first customers, and now he has secured valuable contracts which will secure the business going forward.

“Developing a software business is a tricky process, so having Jeremy’s help early on was very valuable. He was someone who I could bounce ideas off, and he would set me straight if I was misguided about something.

“It was vital to be able to speak with someone who has trod the same path before.”

Luckily, the pandemic has not affected Matt and the company too much, as all dealings with customers have been remote. Indeed, as Matt says, “the product has been beneficial for the customers during the pandemic, because it has made it easier for their teams to work remotely.

“At present, our focus is on continuing to develop the product and to ensure that it gives value to our customers.”

It’s clear that Matt’s expertise and drive allied to Jeremy’s experience and business acumen has ensured that Playervis has made considerable strides since they teamed up for Let’s Do Mentoring.

Explaining the support that the programme provides to Staffordshire companies, Jeremy said: “Well, there is a large failure rate for start-ups in the first year, so the odds are almost always stacked against small business owners from the start.

“There are so many demands on new business founders. It’s rare that people come equipped with all of these skills to succeed. The Let’s Do Mentoring scheme gives founders free-of-charge access to a wealth of business experience to help plug knowledge gaps and provide an often needed sounding board. Even when a business owner has vast experience, mentoring can still be valuable in increasing their odds of success.”

Are you an SME based in Staffordshire that is looking to grow your business? Or is your business facing certain problems, issues or challenges? The Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce’s Let’s Do Mentoring programme provides Staffordshire businesses with fully-funded mentoring from experienced business Professionals to help businesses grow and succeed.

Interested in Let’s Do Mentoring?
For further information please email tom.nadin@staffordshirechambers.co.uk or call 01782 202222

Businesses that import goods are being urged to move to the new Customs Declaration Service – or face being unable to import goods to the UK from 1 October.

Last year, HMRC announced that the Customs Handling of Import & Export Freight Computer system (CHIEF ) will be fully replaced by a new system called the Customs Declaration Service (CDS).

A handy five-step guide has been issued to help you make the change. Find the guide, here.

The following urgent actions should be taken:
• Subscribe to the Customs Declaration Service
• Choose a payment method
• Manage your standing authority
• Issue customs clearance instructions

Staffordshire Chambers were proud to become the first organisation in the UK to complete an Export Declaration using the new Customs Declaration Service (CDS) software in February this year.

If you have any concerns about your customs clearances or any other international trade question, please give us a call on 01782 202222. Alternatively you can send an email to chambercustoms@staffordshirechambers.co.uk

A mother-of-twins has launched a global support group for mothers expecting or dealing with a special educational need or disability (SEND) diagnosis for their child.

Charlie Beswick believes that the group will help to plug the gap in provision for maternal mental wellbeing in this unique space – something that she has experienced first-hand.

Charlie, who has one son with complex additional needs, believes that more should be done to support mothers who receive a diagnosis for their child and how they can adapt to a life they may never have expected. She believes that the new ‘Gin & Cheese’ Facebook group is the perfect safe space for parents to go to communicate their experiences.

She passionately shared her raw insights into the isolation and challenges of dealing with the complexities of a child’s diagnosis, as well as the importance of being able to honestly talk about their struggles others who truly understand them, as well as celebrating their wins, big and small.

Charlie is calling not only on mothers to come together to support and empower each other but for Government, local authorities, education, and health care providers to offer more support and guidance for those who are feeling overwhelmed and alone.

Charlie said: “Whilst I have been navigating the world of SEND for 17 years, countless mothers that I have met simply don’t know where to start; feel lost, isolated and overwhelmed and are struggling with their own mental and physical health.

“I created SEND Gin & Cheese four weeks ago and already have nearly 600 members and we are growing each day. The comments of those in the group clearly show that while there are provisions for children, the provision for maternal mental health is sadly lacking and there is a real need for and value in this community.”

Tasha, a member of the community, said: “We’re at the beginning of our SEN diagnosis journey and I know we’re going to need people who really understand what we’re going through.

“It can be really lonely and isolating but this group is providing the safe space that we all need”.

Parents with children with SEND can join the new Facebook group, here.

A transformational review of Britain’s electricity market design has been launched by the UK government. The review of electricity market arrangements (REMA) is a major review aiming to enhance energy security and cut the high electricity costs for consumers in the long run.

The UK’s exposure to volatile global gas markets and energy costs for consumers could be greatly reduced through these reforms. Proposals for initial consultation include exploring changes to the wholesale electricity market, ultimately containing volatile gas market prices and setting the price of electricity produced by much cheaper renewables.

Reforms set to be consulted include the introduction of incentives for consumers to draw energy from the grid at cheaper rates when demand is low, reforming the capacity market and ensuring consumers are seeing cheaper prices as a result of lower cost, clean energy sources.

Sara Williams, CEO of Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, said: “As energy prices continue to surge causing greater concern for many businesses across the nation, it is promising to see the government review how to provide the most efficient market arrangements which support decarbonisation and help to reduce bills for both households and businesses.

“As a Chamber, we are delighted to have so many business members who are already looking at and investing in renewable energy sources which has helped them cut costs as well as reduce their carbon footprint and increase their sustainability.”

The Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has called for a consultation to take place to identify the reforms needed to transition to a decarbonised, cost-effective and secure electricity system.

We encourage all firms in the energy industry, consumer groups, academics, and policy think-tanks to engage with the consultation here.

Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce hold an Energy, Environment and Sustainability forum which is open to all members, register to attend here or email vicki.hardie@staffordshirechambers.co.uk for more information.

The positive impact that employment can have on health and wellbeing is now well documented. Evidence shows that having a healthy workforce can reduce sickness absence, lower staff turnover and boost productivity – this is good for employers, workers, and the wider economy.

In the wake of the pandemic, introducing initiatives to promote the physical and mental health of employees is more important than ever.

Our new Workplace Wellbeing Training Scheme is an opportunity for employers to demonstrate their commitment to the health and well-being of their workforce. Upskill your employees across seven key areas of workplace wellbeing, enabling them to take an active role in promoting health and wellbeing at work.

The scheme consists of one full day ‘Workplace Wellbeing Champion’ training session, following by 6 half-day courses in:

• Leadership & Absence Management
• Equality & Diversity
• Mental Health Awareness
• Healthy Eating,
• Alcohol and Substance Misuse
• Physical Activity

Training will run once a month and will also offer the opportunity to engage with, and share best practise with other local employers.

For further information and costs, please contact sarah.colclough@staffordshirechambers.co.uk before Friday 19^th August. Places are limited.