Chamber News

As Chair of the British Chambers of Commerce I have the immense privilege of meeting businesses based in every part of the UK, from Inverness to Truro and everywhere in between. The local roots of Chambers of Commerce are unique among business organisations and our strengths are evident in the work carried out by Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, led by Kim Conchie, who do a stellar job of advocating and supporting the diverse range of businesses and sectors that make up the Cornish economy. Our Chambers do a fantastic job of catering to the needs of the widest possible range of organisations. From tech start-ups to large multinationals, every business has a home in the Chamber Network. Throughout the pandemic, Chambers were an absolute bedrock of support for their communities, providing invaluable information, advice and support to businesses operating under the most difficult of circumstances. As we look forward to restarting, rebuilding and renewing our Economy, it will be Chambers and the businesses that they represent and fight for, that will drive the recovery and make the UK the best place in the world to do business. To achieve this the British Chambers of Commerce and our Network will continue to support businesses to innovate, do business across borders and grow sustainably in every region of the UK Cornwall is a great place to do business, a leader in so many fields, from agriculture, to tourism, to culture and heritage and beyond and events like the Festival of Business are fantastic forums for connecting businesses and showcasing the excellence, diversity, infrastructure, and networks that the region has to offer.I am delighted that I can support the Festival and look forward to meeting many of you over its duration.

Sarah Howard, MBE Chair of BCC

Poor old Cornwall

Cornwall has benefited from extensive EU funding over 20 years because we were diagnosed as the poorest part of England – not a great badge for a thriving, innovative, entrepreneurial area! As that comes to an end let’s make sure we apply the new UK government funding to raise our Duchy economically, confidently and in forward-looking industries. Use your Chamber of Commerce to get your head round Shared Prosperity Fund, Levelling Up principles, Local Skills Improvement Plan to name but the first tranche.

Free Training for your business!

Cornwall still has EU training money. Your Chamber is delivering Employer-led Skills, Business Clusters and Growth Hub programmes through to 2023. Let’s not waste this funding to help Cornwall & Scilly recover from covid. Contact darren@cornwallchamber.co.uk now to see how we can help you.

Planet C

Look out for Planet C partnered with Green Works and sponsored by Don’t Cry Wolf. If you want to know more about Sustainability, Renewables, Climate Change, Social cohesion get involved with Cornwall Chamber’s big drive in the autumn. If you’re a leader in the filed host an event! darren@cornwallchamber.co.uk

Chamber Board

We are delighted to announce Laura Whyte, Managing Director of Whyfield, has been appointed as our new Chair of Chamber Team photo by Toby Weller Sarah Atkinson the Board, we have no doubt Laura will continue be a great success and we thank Jacky Swain for all her input and support through her time as Chair. We also welcome Sarah Atkinson of Stephens Scown as a new member of the Board, and we look forward to working with you. Sarah is a partner and head of the specialist Family Finance team at Stephens Scown LLP. She qualified in March 2006 and has over 15 years of experience advising clients.

BCCSW – Business doesn’t like boundaries:

British Chambers of Commerce South West (BCCSW) is extending the input from accredited Chambers across the South West. Let us know if you’d like to host pan-peninsula activities and get introductions to businesses outside Cornwall. We are planning another big event on the growth of the Blue & Green economy in our part of the World. This is the future and your region is leading expertise, inward investment, Greentech start-ups and advice for businesses to work in harmony with our planet. Look on our website for more intel as we hear.

“It is now over 30 years since the pioneering restoration of Heligan began and captivated the public with its romantic and melancholy energy. Lost to the brambles of time at the outbreak of WW1 when its gardeners left for war, sadly many never to return, the gardens’ restoration has been created in their name and is officially recognised as a ‘Living Memorial’. With over 200 acres open to enjoy, visitors can lose themselves in a world of gardening inspiration, ancient woodlands, a sub-tropical Jungle, rare breed livestock and an abundance of wildlife . . . welcome to The Lost Gardens of Heligan.”

We are developing four FRAMEWORKS that will form the basis of policy-making driven by the private sector in Cornwall. Do you want to have a say in: Digital Infrastructure · The Built

Environment · Wellbeing in the Workplace · Planet

Let Zoe know zoe@cornwallchamber.co.uk Your whole team will be here at your service throughout the Cornwall Festival of Business. Please do chat to us about any of the above - and any of your thoughts too.