News
Staffordshire Chambers and VAST join forces to empower local charities with Quest support services
Staffordshire Chambers is pleased to announce a new partnership with VAST, a charity dedicated to developing the voluntary sector in Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire, that will give VAST members access to the Chambers’ Quest support services.
The Quest business support services include a range of benefits designed to support organisations and their teams, including HR support, health & safety guidance as well as legal and tax advice.
Chris Plant, Deputy CEO of Staffordshire Chambers, said: “The Chamber is renowned for its commitment to fostering business growth and prosperity in the region.
Through this partnership, we will extend their expertise and resources of Quest to VAST, ensuring that the vital work carried out by voluntary and community organisations is bolstered with essential tools and resources.”
VAST members who wish to take up the service will be invited to a free one-to-one meeting with one of Quest’s business support managers, who will guide charities through the intricacies of health and safety, legal and HR compliance. Organisations who utilise Quest will have round-the-clock access to advice and guidance on a range of business issues.
Lisa Healings, Chief Executive of VAST, said: “It’s really exciting to be able to work with the Chamber of Commerce to offer the Quest service to our members.
“Many of these voluntary sector organisations have only one or two staff members or are just embarking on employing staff for the first time, or they are completely volunteer run, but are operating community buildings.
“The biggest challenges they face are knowing where to get accurate and up to date legal advice and having the right policies and procedures in place to make sure they are legally compliant. Having this service available will mean they have a trusted source of information and can work with our project officers to get their governance in place for these areas.”
VAST members are encouraged to take advantage of these invaluable resources, which will help to contribute to the continued success of their organisations and the broader community they serve.
For more information about the partnership and the Chambers’ Quest benefits, please contact karena.pawlak@staffordshirechambers.co.uk or visit the VAST website, here.
- Published in News
Grow your business globally with free International Trade consultation sessions
Staffordshire Chambers’ International Trade Centre is excited to reveal that our hugely popular Trade Surgeries are returning to 2024 – giving businesses one-to-one support to help unlock new overseas markets, completely free of charge!
Led by trade expert Chris Street, the exclusive 30-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 Wednesday, 31 January and Monday, 26 February.
It’s important to note that due to limited availability, we encourage you to secure your slot early. These appointments are free and carry no obligation. To reserve your spot and make the most of this opportunity, kindly use the following link provided.
- Published in News
Declan’s blog: Manifesto update
I’ve started work on the development of our new Business Manifesto. The previous one was published in early 2022 but so much has happened to our economy in the last two years. Energy prices soared in late 2022. Inflationary pressures have rocketed and only recently started to subside. Interest rates have also gone in an upwards direction. Wars in Ukraine and the Middle East continue to create so much uncertainty.
I recently met with some of our policy forum Chairs to get feedback on what we need to include in our new Manifesto. It’s a document which will set out our policy ‘asks’ and with a General Election expected to take place during the year, it will provide our politicians with a guide to what our business community needs, in order to thrive and prosper.
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has identified five topics or challenges which are of vital importance to the UK business community and where there is a need to establish fresh, evidence based and impactful policy recommendations, which will be used to influence the current and future government:
- Digital Revolution
- Green Innovation
- Global Britain
- People and Work
- Local Economy of the Future
Our new Manifesto will aim to address these challenges but what other challenges is your business facing and what else do you feel should be a key part of our Manifesto?
Please send me your comments/thoughts and if you would like further information on any of policy forums, please contact:
declan.riddell@staffordshirechambers.co.uk
Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce is recognised as being the voice of local business in Staffordshire but what does this really mean? As an independent and reputable organisation, we represent our members’ views on the local, regional, national and global issues affecting their businesses.
Our Chamber policy forums are a great way for member businesses to meet and discuss issues critical to their sector. These forums enable our members to share knowledge and best practice but also help us to represent them better in our dealings with the media and government. Our forums are recognised by the British Chambers’ of Commerce as being among the most influential in the country.
We deliver eleven policy forums, covering the topics of:
- Charity
- Digital
- Energy, Environment and Sustainability
- HR, Employment and Skills
- International Trade
- Manufacturers
- Money Matters
- Planning & Infrastructure
- Rural Business
- Social Value & Procurement
- Transport
Each forum is made up of representatives from our member businesses and meets up several times across the year. Key topics for discussion are identified, guest speakers are brought in and our forums pick up that role of highlighting the matters that concern our members, at both a national and regional level. Each forum has its own Chair, who will steer both the meetings and objectives of that particular forum.
We welcome new faces in all of our policy forums but what’s in it for you and your business? It’s a chance for your views to be heard and the opportunity to work collaboratively with your fellow Chamber members in influencing our policy role on specific topics. You also get the chance to grow your networking contacts in similar sectors. It could also be a perfect development opportunity for one of your team, helping to empower confidence.
Being a part of our policy forums is not a huge commitment with no more than four meetings a year. Meetings typically start at 9AM and last no more than an hour or so. If you’re interested in joining a Forum, please email me on declan.riddell@staffordshirechambers.co.uk
- Published in News
Get ready for changes in the transportation of goods from Ireland to Great Britain
As of January 31, 2024, the Border Target Operating Model has confirmed that certain goods transported directly from Irish ports to Great Britain will be subject to full customs controls.
For goods imported directly from Ireland to Great Britain (excluding those moving from or through Northern Ireland), it is mandatory to complete import processes. To comply with these requirements, refer to the guidelines outlined in the Border Target Operating Model.
Traders handling these goods must now make import customs declarations at the point of import, eliminating the option to delay declarations. Ports are obligated to enforce customs clearance for goods moving from Ireland to Great Britain, and clearance is a prerequisite for releasing goods from the port.
It is crucial to ensure that you, or any party moving goods on your behalf, are acquainted with the new procedures effective from January 31, 2024.
What you need to do to prepare to move goods from 31 January 2024:
• If you are moving qualifying Northern Ireland goods, you should confirm this to your haulier and/or carrier. You can find out more about qualifying Northern Ireland goods on GOV.UK
• You need to register for a GB Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) number if you do not already have one
• As import declarations will need to be made through the Customs Declaration Service (CDS), you or your representative will also need access to the CDS
• To make import declarations in your own records (Entry In Declarants Records (EIDR)) you will need to apply for authorisation to use simplified declarations for imports if not already authorised
• If your goods are being moved from Ireland through roll-on, roll-off (ro-ro) ports in Great Britain, you will need to make your customs declarations before the goods depart from Ireland, and you will need to follow Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS) processes
• If hauliers are moving goods on your behalf they will need to register for GVMS if they haven’t already done so, and you will need to provide the movement reference number (MRN) from your declarations to the person moving your goods in order for them to be able to generate a goods movement reference (GMR). Hauliers will need to provide a valid GMR for all lorries and trailers moving from Ireland to Great Britain that check-in with a carrier from midnight on 31 January 2024
• At inventory-linked ports or other locations, the haulier or the intermediary that is moving the goods on your behalf will need to follow standard processes to ensure your goods are presented to customs, declared, and cleared before they can be released for free circulation in Great Britain
• Businesses making a full import declaration or simplified frontier declaration on the CDS for goods moving from Ireland to Great Britain (including for excise goods) will no longer be required to ‘arrive’ their declaration by the end of the next working day after arriving in Great Britain. For goods being entered into excise duty suspense, the entry onto the Excise Movement and Control Systems (EMCS) must be made by the time they arrive in Great Britain
• If you are moving goods from Northern Ireland to Great Britain via Ireland, including qualifying Northern Ireland goods, you will need to comply with some Irish customs requirements to exit through a port in Ireland, and will need to check Irish customs guidance
If you move non-qualifying goods directly from Northern Ireland to Great Britain, you will need to submit an import declaration.
If the goods are arriving in Great Britain from Northern Ireland through ro-ro ports, you do not need to include your import declaration reference in a GMR.
You will need to update the status of your full import declaration to ‘arrived’ on the system by 11.59pm on the working day after the day your goods arrived in Great Britain.
Delaying declarations for goods brought into Great Britain
From 31 January 2024 you will no longer be able to delay sending HMRC the full information about your goods by up to 175 days after import.
If you moved goods from Northern Ireland or Ireland to Great Britain before 31 January 2024 and used the delayed declarations process, you will need to submit your supplementary declarations and pay any customs duty within the 175 days deadline for the following movements:
• goods moved from Northern Ireland or Ireland to Great Britain which are not qualifying Northern Ireland goods
• goods moved from or through Northern Ireland to avoid the UK tariff or import processes
• goods moved from Ireland to Great Britain, having originally started their journey in the EU and passed through Northern Ireland
For further information please select the following links or email Exportmailbox@staffordshirechambers.co.uk for support from our award-winning International Trade team.
- Moving qualifying goods from Northern Ireland to the rest of the UK – GOV.UK
- Customs Declaration Service – GOV.UK
- Making an import declaration in your records – GOV.UK
- Apply to use simplified declarations for imports – GOV.UK
- Check how to move goods through ports that use the Goods Vehicle Movement Service – GOV.UK
- Register for the Goods Vehicle Movement Service – GOV.UK
Further help and support can be found on GOV.UK: Imports and exports: general enquiries
- Published in News
Businesses invited to help transform Staffordshire’s digital skills at next Digital Skills Working Group
Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce is making strides in bolstering the region’s digital skills with the launch of the Digital Skills Working Group (DSWG). The initiative aims to forge connections between businesses and training providers, cultivating a comprehensive local perspective on the digital skills pathway.
The primary objective is to guide learners, and where applicable, their families, by providing direction to technology-specific learning opportunities. The DSWG endeavors to showcase available courses that support professional career development within the digital sector and beyond.
The inaugural meeting of the Digital Skills Working Group took place in November. Building on the momentum, the next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, 25th January, at 10 AM. The meeting will be hosted at our Commerce House office (ST1 5BE), with the option for remote attendance. For more information or to confirm your attendance, please contact declan.riddel@staffordshirechambers.co.uk.
The envisioned digital skills pathway is anticipated to be a dynamic resource, open to contributions from training providers interested in participating. The emphasis lies in shedding light on the digital technology “stacks” covered in open courses. This approach encourages businesses to offer constructive feedback on the current offerings and identify potential gaps in the curriculum. The ultimate goal is to empower local businesses to actively participate in work placement opportunities, including T Levels and apprenticeships, with the assurance that relevant technology skills are actively taught within the community.
We invite interested parties to express their intention to attend the upcoming meeting and specify their preference for participation, whether face-to-face or remotely. Your input is crucial in shaping a robust and effective digital skills pathway for Staffordshire’s workforce. Together, we can bridge the gap and propel our region towards a digitally skilled future.
- Published in News
Staffordshire Chambers Business Awards applications to open next Monday, 22 January
We’re delighted to announce that applications for Staffordshire’s biggest business awards will open next Monday, 22 January – and there are two brand new categories to enter!
The high-profile awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of local businesses who have demonstrated exceptional growth, innovation and contribution to the Staffordshire economy during the last 12 months and beyond.
It’s a great way to increase brand recognition, unlock new marketing opportunities, network with Staffordshire’s best businesses and ultimately boost your bottom line.
The annual Staffordshire Chambers Business Awards are widely recognised as the most illustrious awards in the region, with award winners joining a prestigious list of elite businesses who have previously won an accolade.
Finalists shortlisted for an award will be exclusively unveiled in Daily Focus, before being invited to join us for the Gala awards ceremony on 4 July.
The two new categories will be officially revealed when applications go live next Monday.
Good luck to everyone entering!
- Published in News
Declan’s Blog: Developments in Stafford
A bitter Arctic wind blew across the centre of Stafford last week, as I ventured out from our Stafford Chamber office at lunchtime. The giant Christmas tree in Market Square has been taken down, as memories of the festive season start to fade. The weather may be cold but the outlook for Stafford’s business community is a positive one, with the announcement of a series of developments in our County Town.
During the autumn, Stafford Borough Council unveiled plans to buy Stafford’s former Co-op department store, as part of major transformation plans for the area.
The Council successfully secured funding to transform the centre of Stafford, with the Gaolgate Street building having been derelict for a number of years. Just before Christmas, senior councillors of Stafford Borough Council gave the go-ahead for the Council to purchase the town’s Guildhall Shopping Centre.
Like many towns across the country, Stafford has suffered from a post-pandemic slump in footfall, leaving a legacy of some empty commercial premises. Town centre regeneration won’t happen overnight and in time, the above acquisitions will help to breathe new life into the centre of Stafford and bring residents, workers, shoppers and visitors back into town.
In other developments, Michael Gove, (the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities) visited Stafford in November and pledged that the Stafford Station Gateway initiative will receive a share of the flagship Levelling Up Fund, to spread opportunity and create jobs. Stafford Station Gateway proposals include up to 30,000 square feet of commercial space and a new hotel on brownfield land surrounding Stafford Station, which enjoys exceptional rail connectivity to London, Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool.
Going eastwards and take a look at the cranes which have dominated the skyline over North Walls, as the Staffordshire History Centre take shape. This brand new heritage attraction will tell the story of the county’s history and bring together three fascinating collections. Further redevelopment in this part of Stafford Town Centre will fall under the Eastgate Regeneration Quarter scheme, which will see the redevelopment of vacant buildings and land.
It’s more than a year since Stafford Chamber moved to a home at Shire Hall Business Centre, just off Market Square. We love being in the centre of town and having the opportunity to enjoy easy access to the office and the chance to support our local town centre retailers, whether grabbing a sandwich or collecting some dry cleaning. Shire Hall Business Centre has been beautifully restored and is a perfect base for any business, or even if you need to find some hot-desking space, or meet clients in a professional business environment. – But don’t take our word for it, why not see for yourself!!
We’re inviting businesses to join our free coffee morning/networking event at Shire Hall Business Centre. First Friday Networking starts on Friday 1st March from 9AM – 10AM. Grab a brew and a bite to eat and meet some new contacts, as well as getting the chance to look at the impressive hot desking facilities and a peek at some of the last remaining unit spaces available to rent. Shire Hall Business Centre is managed by Staffordshire County Council.
You’ll be able to book your place at this event from 17.1.24. using the events page on our website:
https://staffordshirechambers.co.uk/events-calendar/
…. or you can send an e-mail to :
declan.riddell@staffordshirechambers.co.uk
Hope to see you there!
- Published in News
Chris’ Blog: New Year, new chapter for Staffordshire Chambers
It’s been a busy start to the New Year at Commerce House.
The Chamber team has hit the ground running, working across a myriad of exciting initiatives and projects as we set the stage for another year of growth for the Staffordshire business community.
This week also saw the official announcement that Staffordshire Chambers has appointed Rachel Laver as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Following an exhaustive three-month search, Rachel emerged as the prime candidate to lead Staffordshire Chambers into the future. Currently serving as the CEO at Marches Local Enterprise Partnership, Rachel is set to assume her role at the Chamber on 14 March.
With a distinguished track record of delivering high-value projects exceeding £50 million in various sectors, Rachel’s expertise as a regeneration specialist, particularly in implementing publicly funded projects and initiatives, aligns seamlessly with our mission to foster economic development.
In the coming year, we look forward to building on our recent achievements and advancing the Chamber’s mission under Rachel’s guidance.
Welcome to Staffordshire Chambers, Rachel!
The corridors are certainly quieter at Commerce House this week in the absence of Sara Williams OBE, who embarked on her well-deserved retirement at the turn of the year.
I had the privilege of working alongside Sara for the better part of a decade, during which she was a source of support, an inspiration, and a pioneer for both the Chamber team and the broader business community. All the best in your retirement, and thanks again, Sara.
Looking ahead – I would like to thank our Chamber Board, Council, Patrons, partners and members for the ongoing support – and here’s to a successful and prosperous 2024!
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
- Published in News
Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce welcomes Rachel Laver as new Chief Executive Officer
Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce is delighted to announce the appointment of Rachel Laver as our new Chief Executive Officer.
Rachel’s appointment follows an extensive three-month search, and she is scheduled to officially assume her role on 14 March 2024, succeeding Sara Williams OBE who retired at the end of 2023.
With over 25 years of experience in economic development, Rachel has a distinguished track record, having delivered high-value projects exceeding £50 million in sectors such as environmental, transport and education.
Currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer at Marches Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), Rachel brings a wealth of expertise as a regeneration specialist actively involved in the implementation of publicly funded projects and initiatives.
A champion of environmental initiatives, Rachel has successfully established multimillion-pound programmes promoting the adoption of low-carbon technology and driving innovation. Her dedication to strategic initiatives in skills development, transportation, and business support aligns seamlessly with Staffordshire Chambers’ mission to foster economic development.
Steve Timmis, President of Staffordshire Chambers, said, “We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Rachel Laver as the new Chief Executive Officer of Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce. Rachel brings a wealth of experience, visionary leadership, and a deep commitment to our Chamber’s mission. As the Chamber President, it is my honour to extend a heartfelt welcome on behalf of the entire Board and dedicated staff and look forward to a future marked by continued growth and excellence.”
Living in Staffordshire, Rachel is dedicated to playing a vital role in the region’s economic success. She emphasises the importance of helping businesses thrive, supporting the growth of businesses with higher-value jobs, and enhancing the quality of life for local residents.
Rachel said: “I’m honoured to join one of the best Chambers in the country and excited at the chance to help grow and support businesses in my home county of Staffordshire.
“The Chamber is involved with a range of work supporting businesses and economic development and I will ensure it continues to play a key part as we move forward into the future.”
For media inquiries, please contact Gemma Whalley – gemma.whalley@staffordshirechambers.co.uk or call 01782 202222
- Published in News
Call for evidence: The Workplace Equity Commission – help create more equitable workplaces
You’ve told us that tackling skills shortages is a top priority.
One way to ease recruitment difficulties is to make it easier for people from diverse talent pools to access jobs in your businesses and help them progress in their careers with you.
That’s why Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce is working with a new UK-wide Workplace Equity Commission.
We’ve brought together an amazing panel, comprising businesses and experts from across civic society.
The aim is to help SMEs, across all sectors and geographies, create more equitable workplaces. We are defining ‘workplace equity’ as creating a level playing field for individuals, recognising that we do not all start from the same place and that adjustments may be required to provide fair access to opportunity. It is considering equity for everyone, and not focusing on any group or protected characteristic.
How to get involved
We have published a national Call for Evidence that asks: ‘How can SMEs create more fair and equitable workplaces?’
We hope you will share any work you are doing, or planning to do, on equality, diversity and inclusion with us.
We are inviting views and insights from everyone who wants to contribute. We’d like to hear about best practices, as well as any challenges firms are facing, and where more support is needed. We aim to produce practical recommendations for business and government that will help create a level playing field in our workplaces and resolve the widespread recruitment difficulties that are holding back growth. The Call for Evidence is open until 16 February 2024.
Full details can be found here.
For more information, or to submit evidence, please email suzanne.quinn@staffordshirechambers.co.uk
- Published in News