Sara’s Blog: Chamber patrons and export documentation team endorsement

Yesterday I had the honour of hosting a lunch for the Chambers’ Patrons in the Valiant Suite at Port Vale.

It was extra special as this was the first time many of us in the room had met in person for almost two years – and the first time I had met two of our Patrons in person!

Our Patrons are truly representative of the local economy with manufacturing, services, ICT and communications, education, health, automotive, local government, and the Armed Forces all represented on the panel of 24 organisations.

Becoming a Patron of the Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce identifies organisations as leading and strategic players in the Staffordshire economy and affords regular access to key influencers and decision-makers in government and other agencies. Through the Chamber’s extensive networks and communication channels, we help raise the visibility of our Patrons’ brand, products, and services.

But it’s the vital support that Patrons give the Chambers and our members that is the real benefit to the local economy. Patrons sit on our Board, Council, and sector forums. They act as mentors, offering their advice and experience to help entrepreneurs innovate and grow their businesses. Patrons also offer the benefit of their experience through seminars, webinars, written articles and by representing the Chambers in the media.

Yesterday I welcomed our two new patrons, Equanns and University Hospital of North Midlands.

Leading energy, services, and regeneration specialist Equanns has been granted planning permission from Cannock Chase District Council and Lichfield District Council, for the significant redevelopment of Rugeley Power Station in Staffordshire. The development will transform the former coal-fired Power Station site, which it owns, into a sustainable, mixed-use development of 2,300 new low carbon homes with a low carbon school.

Tracy Bullock from University Hospital of North Midlands was one of our speakers and she provided an insight into the leadership challenges in running one of the largest hospitals in the country during the Covid pandemic whilst carrying out their day-to-day business of saving lives, medical and emergency care, and patient support.

You can view our prestigious Patron panel and find out more about what they do here on our website.

On Tuesday our Export Documentation Team was formally audited by the BCC, and I’m delighted to announce that not only did we pass with flying colours, but we were classed as exemplary.

Many Chambers struggled to offer a full documentation service during lockdown and periods of working from home, but we took all this in our stride and implemented measures to ensure that we remained fully compliant for all legalities.

On 1st January this year, we also became Customs Agents, helping many companies import and export goods to the EU following Brexit.

I am delighted to say that after 11 months of incredibly hard work we are the second busiest chamber across the whole BCC network and have helped other chambers, who were not as well prepared, to get up to speed with the new legislation and procedures.

More border controls are being implemented from 1st January 2022, so the team have drafted an easy to use reference guide. These new regulations have already been postponed several times so it is likely this could happen again. You can view the UK -EU guide to moving goods from 1st January 2022, here.

Whatever happens businesses in Staffordshire can rest assured that we will continue to work with you, whatever your size or sector to enable you to trade internationally in 2022 and navigate any new rules and regulations that arise.

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

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