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
