connected magazine issue 104

BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO UKRAINE RECORDS INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY MESSAGE

The official magazine for Chamber members

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Chamber contact details

Clifford House, 2 Station Yard, Oakington, Cambridge,

Welcome ....

The Chamber was delighted when Dame Melinda Simmons DCMG, British Ambassador to Ukraine, recorded a video message for us to play at our International Women’s Day event at Peterborough Cathedral. You can read more about the event and the content of the video by turning to page 22. Tickets are now available to attend the 2023 Global Annual Conference organised by the British Chambers of Commerce. This event will discuss opportunities for growth and has attendance from key senior politicians. Details of the event and how to book your ticket can be found on page 42.

This month we have listed some training opportunities that we are offering alongside West Suffolk College. These funded professional development opportunities are a great way to support your staff. Turn to page 14 for details.

Finally, I would like to thank all our members that have advertised in this issue of connected. Your support helps us to produce each issue of connected. If you would like to advertise in a future issue please drop me an email or give me a call and I will send you the rate card.

SADIE PARR s.parr@cambscci.co.uk

Acceptance of advertisements does not imply official endorsement of the products or services concerned. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of editorial content, no responsibility can be taken for any errors and/ or omissions. The editor reserves the right to make amendments without notification.

Chief Executive’s comments

International Women’s Day is an important day each year to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. This year our event had an extra special message to share from the British Ambassador to Ukraine and I personally offer my thanks to Dame Melinda Simmons for recording this message at a time of such uncertainty. Melinda is such an inspirational leader and champion of women’s rights so I have personally chosen her as the Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce Woman of the Year 2023. I encourage you all to turn to the centre page spread and find out more about the event and the message she shared with those attending our International Women’s Day event.

The Chamber were proud to be the Match Sponsor at the Cambridge United fixture against Morecambe FC to promote the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP).

LSIPs work to make post-16 education and training better meet the needs of local employers, by providing employees with the skills they need for the workplace. The Chamber are working with partners across the region to deliver this project, and we would like to hear from all our members too. If you can spare

a few minutes, please complete our survey – you can turn to page 31 and scan the QR code or visit: http://bit.ly/3ZM7hFW

We were delighted to welcome Dr Nik Johnson, Mayor of Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, Fliss Miller and Laura Guymer from the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority, Marc Rothera from Anglia Ruskin University, Jeremy Reeve from Ely Cathedral Business Group, David Ruddy from West Suffolk College and Michael Moriarty from Mick George as our guests for the evening.

These individuals have all played such an important role in the project to date either as a business representative organisation, sitting on the advisory group, championing the project or attending our workshops and we look forward to continuing to work with them.

I also want to thank Adeline Winshaw, our LSIP Business Engagement Executive, who braved the cold to meet Cambridge United fans to talk to them about the project and encourage them to complete the survey as well as Sadie Parr and Connor Butler who were in the Layrd Lounge with me entertaining our guests.

Chamber Patron Members

VIC ANNELLS Chief Executive

Sadie Parr and Vic Annells with man of the match Jack Lankester Chamber staff and guests with match officials and club captains

CONNECT

BCC DIRECTOR GENERAL VISITS THE CHAMBER

The Chamber were delighted to welcome Shevaun Haviland, Director General at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), to our first roundtable event of 2023 at Huntingdon Racecourse.

Shevaun attends regular B5 meetings with BEIS, she also has links with the chancellor and briefings with the Prime Minister. Shevaun was previously at the Cabinet Office where she led Business Partnerships. Shevaun joined the UK government in 2016, ran the Inclusive Economy Partnership, and spent two years leading business relations for No10.

It was extremely beneficial for the companies attending and Shevaun to discuss the current challenges, opportunities and barriers to growth.

Shevaun commented: “My recent visit to Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce gave me a valuable insight into the brilliant innovation and entrepreneurship of thriving British businesses in the area, as well as the challenges facing local firms.

“I really enjoyed meeting many of the Chambers’ business patron members from across the Cambridgeshire area at Huntingdon racecourse. We discussed opportunities and barriers to growth, which included trade challenges stemming from Brexit as well as the difficulties businesses are facing in finding people with the right skills, particularly in the engineering and hospitality sectors.

“Many of the businesses I met offered practical solutions to some of these challenges, including utilising flexible working patterns to entice workers back into the labour market – which we in the BCC are advocating for at local and national levels.

“My visit also included a trip to the new offices of Paragraf, a local firm that produce graphene-based electronic devices. It’s always great to get to see the work of our UK businesses on the ground, and I’d like to thank the Paragraf team for taking the time to meet with me.

“A special congratulations also to Dr Tom Williamson and all at ARU Peterborough for their recent success in securing levelling up funding. This is vital to the prosperity and growth of the area, and I look forward to watching their progress into the future.

“I’d like to thank the team at the Chamber for their time and hospitality. These visits

Building connections

The Chamber provides many opportunities for members to widen their network of business contacts at events across the county.

In February we were delighted to hold at event, supported by Novotel Cambridge North, to raise awareness and funds for Maggie’s Cambridge, our Charity of the Year.

Novotel generously catered for 50 people to attend this event at no cost so that all ticket sales could be donated to the charity. Those attending were able to hear more about the Charity and their plans for a new centre on the Addenbrookes site. Saiman Miah, Senior Architect at Mott MacDonald – Architecture and Wellbeing Interventions on Commercial Projects, explained the role of an architect in projects such as the Maggie’s Centre

are pivotal to my role in representing the Chamber network at a national level in discussions with Government and in the media, in order to ensure we bring about the change needed to grow our great businesses.”

Chamber roundtable events are for Patron members and invited key local businesses in our local area to meet with our guest speaker. They have limited numbers to ensure that each person has time to join in the discussion and ask any questions they may have.

build and talked about some of the work they are currently undertaking. The event concluded with Speed Networking. Turn to pages 42-43 to see what events are coming up in April and May to build new connections.

We provide Chamber members with many opportunities to widen their network of business contacts – building connections, creating opportunities and maximising the benefits of being part of Cambridgeshire’s most vibrant business network.

Caption: Vic Annells and Shevaun Haviland with Charles Platts, CFO for Paragraf

BCC Economic Forecast: Economy to shrink in 2023 before rebounding

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) expects UK economy to avoid a technical recession but shrink by 0.3 per cent in 2023, before returning to growth in 2024; inflation will slow to five per cent by Q4 2023.

UK ECONOMIC OUTLOOK

The BCC forecasts the economy will not return to its pre-pandemic size until the final quarter of 2024.

The rate of UK inflation is expected to continue slowing throughout 2023, hitting five per cent by Q4.

The economy will shrink in 2023, by much less than previously expected, but the recovery will remain weak with predicted growth for 2024 revised down.

GDP TO SHRINK IN 2023

In the immediate term, the BCC is now expecting the first quarter of 2023 to see

GDP fall, before three quarters of flat or weak growth - leading to an overall contraction of 0.3 per cent for the year. This is a slightly more optimistic outlook than either the OBR or Bank of England’s predictions. The BCC also expects the economy to grow in 2024, at 0.6 per cent, compared to the BoE’s forecast of 0.25 per cent shrinkage.

The expectation for 2023 has been revised upwards from -1.3 per cent in the BCC’s last forecast, due to a more resilient economic performance at the end of 2022. Household spending held up well, despite a fall in real disposable income due to rising energy costs, inflation outstripping wages, frozen income tax allowances and higher mortgage payments. Exports were also stronger than expected in the second half of 2022, in part due to fuel and machinery demand, and also trade in precious metals – likely seen as a safe harbour in uncertain times. However, this trend is not

expected to continue with a 4.5 per cent decline in exports predicted across 2023. BCC research also shows that while overall export values have held up, many smaller companies are not reporting any improvements in their trading conditions.

Despite a big drop in business confidence in Q3 2022, this now appears to have stabilised albeit at a lower level. Business investment has now returned to pre-pandemic levels, although it was not performing well then. With an expected rise in corporation tax coming down the tracks, alongside a business rates revaluation in April, and higher interest rates, this is likely to lead to flatlining investment in 2023 at 0.2 per cent.

INFLATION LIKELY TO CONTINUE SLOWING

Businesses and consumers will continue to face high costs due to inflation. But the

As a Chamber member you have the power to influence key decision makers and play a leading role in tackling the issues that are preventing your business from reaching its potential, while an experienced team of lobbyists represents your interests in Whitehall.

current downward trajectory, following a peak of 11.1 per cent in October 2022, is likely to continue throughout the year, ending at five per cent in Q4. The CPI rate is expected to continue to slow and drop below the Bank of England’s target to 1.5 per cent in Q4 2024. It is then expected to rise again in 2025, returning to the two per cent goal. This means prices will continue to rise, at slower rates, and that they will stabilise at a much higher level than two years ago. Average earnings growth will lag behind inflation until 2024.

The forecast for the Bank of England’s interest rate has moderated following the big uptick after the mini-budget of September 2022. The rate is now expected to end 2023 at 4.25 per cent, just a quarter of a percentage point higher than the current rate. It should then fall to 3.25 per cent by Q4 of 2025, though this is still much higher than the historically low rates, below 1.0 per cent, seen for more than a decade.

INVESTMENT AND RECOVERY EXPECTED TO BE WEAK

Overall investment is expected to contract by 1.5 per cent in 2023, but business investment will make a positive contribution of 0.2 per cent. Household consumption is also expected to fall by 0.4 per cent and Government spending is expected to increase by 1.8 per cent.

The overall picture for 2024 shows a return to growth but only at a level which will

see the UK economy finally get back to its pre-pandemic size (Q4 2019) in the final quarter. Net exports, household spending and business investment will all return to weak positive territory, but with the contribution of government spending falling, the recovery will be lacking in strength.

Commenting on the forecast, Alex Veitch, Director of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “Although the economy should now avoid a technical recession, the stark reality is that businesses face a very difficult year ahead. With the Government having little fiscal headroom for the Spring Budget, it is vital it spends the money it has got wisely.

“Businesses tell us they are most concerned about the difficulties in recruiting staff, paying their energy bills and rising taxes.

“We know we have a tough year ahead and there is currently little incentive for firms to risk ploughing their dwindling cash reserves or fresh loans into new projects.

“But unless we unlock investment into growth areas of our economy, then the UK will get left behind by our competitors.

“The Chancellor must show more faith in the ability and talent of our businesses. If he backs them, by acting on childcare to ease staff shortages and helping them manage their energy costs, then the UK economy could still prosper.”

KEY POINTS IN THE FORECAST:

• UK GDP growth forecast for 2023 is -0.3%, 0.6% in 2024 and 0.9% in 2025

• Following no growth in Q4 2022, quarter-on-quarter GDP growth is forecast to decline in Q1 2023 by 0.3%, before flatlining again at 0.0% in Q2, followed by 0.2% in Q3 and Q4

• Household consumption forecast is for a contraction of 0.4% in 2023, before growing again to 0.7% in 2024, and 1.2% in 2025

• Business investment forecast is to grow by 0.2% in 2023 followed by 1.0% in 2024, and then 1.7% in 2025

• BCC expects exports to shrink by 4.5% in 2023, before growing by 1.1% in 2024 and 2.4% in 2025, compared to import growth of -2.0%, 1.4% and 2.0%

BCC expects the UK unemployment rate to rise to 4.5% in 2023, then 4.8% in 2024 and then dipping to 4.1% in 2025

• CPI inflation has now peaked and should slow to 5% in Q4 2023. It is expected to further reduce to 1.5% in Q4 2024, before rising slightly to 2.0% in Q4 2025.

• UK official interest rates are expected to rise to 4.25% by Q4 2023 and then to 3.5% in Q4 2024, ending 2025 at 3.25%.

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We’re your gateway to international trade, providing a unique combination of expert knowledge, essential documentation and the business connections needed to capitalise on new market opportunities overseas and succeed in a global marketplace.

Documentation changes for UK Certificates of Origin

The British Chamber of Commerce (BCC) as the authorising body in the UK for Certificates of Origin has decided that plain paper United Kingdom Certificates of Origin will be issued from 1 April 2023 in the UK.

Over 40 per cent of Certificates of Origin issued worldwide are now printed on plain paper.

As we move into a digital future the BCC wants the Chambers to be in the vanguard working with the Government to achieve its digital ambition for a paperless border by 2025. The move to plain paper Certificates of Origin is the first step in this journey.

From this date all applications will have to be made via our online platform/s which our existing export customers have already been signed up to. If required, the Chamber can prepare and complete applications for you on an online platform or where wet stamp legalisation is required by an importer, bank or destination country customs authority. Additional fees will apply.

Certificates of Origin printed via the online platform have additional security features such as the QR code allowing anyone with the Certificate of Origin to scan the QR code and see an online version of the Certificate of Origin so they can check the version they have has not been amended or falsified. Anyone with the Certificate of Origin will also be able to verify the authenticity of the Certificate of Origin via the ICC verification website https://certificates.iccwbo.org

Increasingly Customs authorities worldwide are looking to be able to verify Certificates of Origin online. This will also simplify the printing of Certificates of Origin by exporters as they will no longer need to insert a blank Certificate of Origin correctly into the printer before printing.

If you have any questions regarding the changes please contact the International Trade Team on 01223 237414 or email internationaltrade@cambscci.co.uk

Sterling meanders – downside risks prevail

Phew, the UK economy avoided recession in 2022, even with December’s huge 0.50 per cent contraction. UK GDP increased by an estimated four per cent over the course of 2022, following a 7.6 per cent post Covid-19 rebound in 2021. However, the UK is the only G7 nation yet to fully recover output lost during the pandemic.

The markets remain pessimistic for the UK in 2023, and Sterling is currently meandering through a narrow range versus the US Dollar and Euro. The forecasted 2023 ranges hold firm (US$ 1.1650 to 1.2650 and Euro, 1.1050 to 1.2150) with small rallies and dips as Sterling reacts to economic data releases. By publication, the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt will have delivered his Spring Budget. It is expected to focus on how the government plans to get the economy growing faster, one of prime minister Rishi Sunak’s five priorities. Even with January’s higher than expected tax take and better economic numbers, big tax cuts are unlikely and not in keeping with the tone of Hunt and Sunak so far. Expect little Sterling reaction to the Budget once the dust has settled.

The EU acknowledged perhaps some Northern Ireland Protocol implementation elements should be

tweaked, opening the door for the latest Brexit ‘deal’ between the UK and EU. Aimed to smooth out inter UK trade and provide the perception of less EU jurisdictional control. The hope is this deal restores a functioning government in Belfast.

Sterling mildly reacted positively to the Northern Ireland Protocol news, inching one per cent higher against the US Dolar and Euro. Sterling’s meander forward was soon pulled back by Andrew Bailey, The Bank of England Governor. Bailey indicated the prospect of a further rate hike is close to 50/50 and entirely dependent on data to be released ahead of the March 23 interest rate decision.

With the Labour Party practically in campaign mode for the next general election, Sunak and Hunt are likely to try and take the wind from their sails. The challenge at this time is the wrong policy could stymie the drive for growth or spook the markets yet again.

Another Sunak priority is the halving of inflation this year. Many will argue this is not currently a gift of government, it is however a main objective of the Bank of England. The speed of decline coupled with how the economy performs versus expectations will drive market sentiment

on how much further (if at all) the Bank of England are likely to raise interest rates. Citi Bank amongst others are predicting inflation could fall below two per cent by the end of the year. Energy prices could remain a thorn for inflation predications. Chinese demand for gas after the lifting of Covid restrictions, escalation of the war in Ukraine are all factors in play. Additionally, if Russia starts to make significant gains, the West may look to close the, yet to be sanctioned, loophole that allows energy and commodities to flow via India to the rest of the world. With cost pressures still challenging for businesses, reviewing the costs being incurred and the strategy of managing currency exposure becomes even more important. Specialist support as provided by companies like Ascendant, can fill a gap not provided by larger financial institutions.

For more information on how Ascendant can benchmark your current supplier and to hear about how we are reducing the cost of foreign exchange for local businesses, contact karen.benson@ ascendant.world

Growing international opportunities for Cambridgeshire and the Sultanate of Oman

The Chamber were delighted to host a roundtable event for Oman business CEOs and representatives from the Oman Investment Authority at Novotel Cambridge North last month, along with key business representatives from Cambridgeshire, to promote the local landscape and identify potential opportunities for Oman investment and for businesses to trade with Oman.

The delegation was led by Arwa Al Balushi, the first ever commercial and investment attaché at the Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman in London at the rank of Minister Plenipotentiary.

Arwa Al Balushi is in charge of boosting the ongoing bilateral economic relations between Oman and the United Kingdom.

Supported by the post-pandemic economic recovery and improved demand for Omani products in the United States, India and the Gulf region, the sultanate’s non-oil exports jumped by more than 50 per cent in the first nine months of 2022. The growth in Omani exports suggests that the sultanate’s economy is on a strong recovery path. Supported by higher oil prices and government’s economic stimulus measures, Oman’s real GDP

grew at a solid pace of 4.5 per cent in the first nine months of 2022.

Of the visit, Chair of the Cambridge & South Cambs Committee, Faye Holland said: “I thoroughly enjoyed the discussion with the delegation of business leaders and ministers from Oman. Having an insight into their Vision 2040 and working through areas of potential collaboration was extremely interesting.

“From a Cambridge & South Cambs perspective, there were opportunities from commodity imports, to cleantech exports, and a desire to promote the SME similar to our own aspirations herein the Chamber.

“I was also extremely interested to talk about the potential for a startup ecosystem directed at a range of innovative technologies that align well with Cambridge’s position as the UKs Centre for Science and Technology.”

The Oman Vision 2040 was approved in December 2020 and the document revolves around 12 national priorities failing into four main pillars – A Society of Creative Individuals, A Competitive Economy, Responsible State Agencies, and An Environment with Sustainable

Components. Each priority is addressed independently and the strategic direction, objective and international and national indicators are explained.

Vic Annells, Chief Executive of Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome the Oman delegation to Cambridge after meeting many of them at the Oman-Britain Business Conference in London the day before. Their event explained how they are looking to build a sustainable and diversified national economy and it was ideal to share this with key Cambridgeshire businesses.”

Other key business attending included Martin Clapson, Managing Director of Price Bailey and Chamber Board Member, Christophe Ughetto, General Manager of Novotel Cambridge North, James Wilcox, General Manager at Huntingdon Racecourse, and Phil Mashinchi, MD of Cambridge Software Ltd.

Any businesses interested in trading with Oman can get in touch with the Chamber who will be happy to make introductions. Email chamber@cambscci.co.uk or telephone 01223 237414.

Cambridge Commodities Ltd’s bonded warehouse is reducing costs from Brexit and improving cashflow

Cambridge Commodities has entered a new era of bonded warehouse operations. The leading nutritional ingredients supplier is almost entirely reliant on imported goods for sale in the UK and Europe, and the bonded warehouse will help reduce the negative overheads impact of leaving the European free-trade zone. It will also support the cashflow improvement objective that any growing business has.

Tom Stevens, Cambridge Commodities’ Operations Director, explained the reasoning and benefits of the new set up: “About a third of our sales are in the European Union. To satisfy demands since leaving the EU we have put working capital into holding stock both in the UK and the Netherlands (NL) where, like other UK companies reacting to Brexit, we’ve established a warehouse using a third party provider. This inevitably added overhead cost, but the investment enabled us to maintain and grow our trade in Europe without the bureaucratic and import duty challenges of the new trading arrangements hitting us so hard.

Now with our bonded warehouse operation we can begin to reduce our stockholding in NL reducing working capital and storage overheads. Our UK warehouse in Ely will be better utilised and jobs can be returned to the UK from NL.

“Our bonded warehouse operation means we are now only liable for VAT and duty payment when goods imported under bond leave our warehouse. If selling to a UK customer the duty is paid as determined by the product’s specific commodity code, but if we re-export then only the duties and taxes due in the customer’s country are payable.”

Instrumental in the change was Cambridge Commodities’ Head of Logistics and Trade Compliance, Irina Purcell: “Setting it all up has been a complex team effort with our Logistics, Trade Compliance, Finance, IT, and Operations teams working closely with international trade and customs management experts Britannia Solutions, to get this milestone project up and running.”

ABOUT CAMBRIDGE COMMODITIES

Cambridge Commodities is the leading supplier of nutritional ingredients and product solutions to the sports nutrition, food and beverage, animal nutrition and health and wellbeing industries. We import nutritional ingredients from all over the world and hold stock of over 2500 materials on-site. We bring the newest ingredients to market, drive trends and are constantly looking forward to supplying products that meet the demands of consumer-driven marketplaces. Our customers are at the heart of everything we do, and all our processes are designed to help them create marketleading products through our commitment to quality, service and innovation.

www.cambridgecommodities.com

We’re your gateway to international trade, providing a unique combination of expert knowledge, essential documentation and the business connections needed to capitalise on new market opportunities overseas and succeed in a global marketplace.

Our regular training courses provide the knowledge to assist with your international trade activities. Currently, all courses will take place online via Zoom.

CHAMBER TRAINING

Course Dates 2023

UNDERSTANDING IMPORTING

19 April, 5 July, 8 November

This course covers all the basic key areas around importing and will explain the requirements for documentation, plus an overview of country of origin and incoterms.

UNDERSTANDING EXPORTING

20 April, 12 July, 15 November

This course covers all the basic key areas around exporting. It will explain the requirements for documentation, plus an overview of country of origin and incoterms.

IMPORT/ EXPORT DIAGNOSTICS WORKSHOP

2 May, 6 September, 6 December

Ensure your company has the right tools to be compliant in the new world of UK/International Trade. This workshop shows companies how to look at their SOPS and compliance, going through key areas of procedures and compliance, preparing for trading internationally either by exporting or importing.

CUSTOMS PROCEDURES AND DOCUMENTATION

10 May, 20 September, 13 December

The course looks at the procedures required to deal with customs. It is vitally important that importers and exporters understand the information required to be submitted, fines and inspections are things that no company wants to endure.

INWARD AND OUTWARD PROCESSING

23 May, 16 November

The course will cover special procedures and the benefits of using IP and OP in your compliance.

UNDERSTANDING A CUSTOMS DECLARATION

30 May, 21 September, 14 December

The importance of understanding the legalities of a Customs Declaration has never been more important. Ensure your company has the knowledge to make sure your declarations are compliant should a HMRC Auditor arrive at your door!

UNDERSTANDING COMMODITY CODES

1 June, 4 October

This course we will ensure you are aware of what a commodity code is and what it is used for, help you understand the process of how to classify goods, successfully classify a range of goods and understand the importance of getting your commodity codes correct.

LETTERS OF CREDIT

7 June

Letters of Credit are becoming more commonly requested around the world. Make sure your business has the knowledge to trade on a Letter of Credit now to avoid delays and financial impacts.

UNDERSTANDING RULES OF ORIGIN

8 June, 11 October

This course will explain all aspects of the Rules of Origin and Trade agreements and how to understand and comply with them to help companies be more competitive in export markets.

INCOTERMS 2020

21 June, 12 October

This course will explain Incoterms® and their importance in international trade contracts, and give information on how to determine costs / liability.

UNDERSTANDING LOGISTICS

13 July

Understand the process of managing how resources are acquired, stored, and transported to their final destination.

Full course details are available on our website www.cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk/training

TRAINING COURSES

Our training courses run from 9.30am-1.00pm.

Cost per course: £250.00 (plus VAT) Chamber members, £330.00 (plus VAT) non-Chamber members. To register please visit our website, email j.mansfield@cambscci.co.uk or telephone 01223 237414.

Funded Professional Development Opportunities

There has never been a more important time to support staff and develop your people strategy. The need to retain staff in a challenging labour market, keep them motivated and create an environment where they can, and do, their best work is likely among your many priorities.

We have all heard that training is the first thing to be cut in bad times, but training is not an employee benefit or a reward for hard work that should be cut back when times are tough. Instead, it helps people qualify for their jobs, keep their skills current as technology changes what they do, and prepares individuals to take more responsibility as large numbers of people prepare for retirement.

Today’s workers not only crave training and development opportunities, but they also demand it. If we do not provide it to them, they are going to find an employer who will.

Our people are our greatest asset that needs to be managed and taken care of in order to perform. So, when we stop investing in their training and development, they are unable to stay up to date on the latest trends; they often will get discouraged because they are being asked to do more with less and less experience. We’re asking them to take on projects that maybe they would not have otherwise had an opportunity to do because of the difficulty in recruiting staff, and yet we’re taking away a tool that would allow them to rise to the occasion. Perhaps most importantly, training improves productivity.

The bottom line is the economy will rebound, and here is what will happen: Our people are going to remember how they were treated during this tough time. Did we nurture our relationship with them? Did

we give them something extra for going the extra mile for us?

If you’re reading this and you’re not sure that your company has gone above and beyond for your people during this time and you know that your people have gone above and beyond for you, you run the serious risk of losing them once this crisis passes.

Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce has worked with West Suffolk College to offer a wide range of opportunities for your employees individual professional learning. There may not be courses which are directly relevant to a specific job role but there are ones that will enhance it e.g., Mental Health Awareness.

ONLINE CPD SHORT COURSES

Great for employers to use for their employee’s professional development (staff benefits and retention). These short, bite-sized courses are interactive and flexible giving delegates the ability to study at their convenience and own pace. They are all delivered on-line and auto-marked, feedback is instant as is skills development. Also, it’s a great way to get back into learning.

There is a wide range which include:

• Understanding Anxiety

• Understanding Depression

• Understanding Stress

• COSHH Risk Assessment

• Fire Safety Principles

• Health and Safety in the Workplace

• Food Safety Awareness

• Induction of New Staff

Image by Drazen Zigic on Freepik

• Performance Management

• Solving Problems and Making Decisions

• Understanding Equality and Diversity.

All courses are bookable via Eventbrite and subject to eligibility, they will be fully funded.

Type the following link into your web browser to book or for more information:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/short-online-professionaldevelopment-courses-44340535163

LEVEL 2 ONLINE QUALIFICATIONS

West Suffolk College offer a broad and exciting range of qualifications online. All courses are funded by the UK Government so if you’re eligible you can study for free. Take a look at our different course options below to find the perfect one for you. These are self-directed, independent study courses with assessor support and guidance. There is a wide range which include:

• Digital Marketing

• Principles of Customer Service

• Mental Health First Aid

• Information, Advice and Guidance

• Understanding Nutrition and Health

• Creating a Business Start-up

• Understanding Climate Change and Environmental Awareness

• Principles of Team Leading

• Environmental Sustainability.

All courses are bookable via Eventbrite and subject to eligibility, they will be fully funded.

Type the following link into your web browser to book or for more information:

https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/level-2-onlinequalifications-970509

LIFETIME SKILLS GUARANTEE LEVEL 3

Getting the right skills, for the right jobs, to the right people. The guarantee aims to transform the skills system so everyone, no matter where they live or their background, can gain the skills they need to progress in work at any stage of their lives.

It will also ensure employers have access to the skilled workforce they need, and more people are trained for the skills gaps that exist now, and in the future.

Adults who take up the free courses have the potential to boost career prospects, wages and help fill skills gaps, while supporting the economy and building back better.

We offer a broad and exciting range of qualifications online. All courses are funded by the UK Government so if you’re eligible you can study for free:

• Leadership and Management (ILM)

• CIPS – Procurement and Supply

• Environmental Sustainability

• Understanding Mental Health

• Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning

• Understanding Autism

• Understanding the Principals of Dementia Care

• Diploma for the Children’s Workforce (Early Years Educator) Diploma in Adult Social Care

• Counselling Skills.

All courses are bookable via Eventbrite and subject to eligibility they will be fully funded.

Type the following link into your web browser to book or for more information:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/lifetime-skills-guaranteelevel-3-44965298103

For further assistance please contact: adultskillsinfo@wsc.ac.uk

To access these services please visit the protection page on the Chamber website or call our membership team on 01223 237414.

CHAMBER FOUR SERVICES

Included in your Chamber membership is Chamber Four Services covering HR, Legal, Health & Safety and Tax.

You have access to advice lines, document libraries and legal expenses insurance.

HOW TO ACCESS THESE SERVICES

Advice lines: All advice lines – call 01455 852037

Document libraries: Access via https://chambercambs.questcover.com/login and use your unique credentials to enter the site. If you don’t have these, please contact Hilary Pawley at the Chamber on 01223 237414 or email h.pawley@cambscci.co.uk

Is Menopause Leave going to be a legal requirement?

Back in July 2022, the Women and Equalities Committee of the House of Commons published a report that highlighted how the current law did not protect working women with menopausal issues, with many experienced and talented women at the peak of their careers having to leave their employment this impacting on the UK economy. As a consequence, they made a number of recommendations to support working women with menopausal issues.

Menopause and perimenopause can cause symptoms like anxiety, sleeping issues, mood swings, problems with memory or concentration, hot flushes, headaches or migraines, muscle aches, joint pains and irregular periods. These symptoms can last several months or years or change over time and can have a significant impact on women’s personal lives, their relationships and work. Although the Government is not willing to add menopause as a defined disability under the Equality Act 2010 (EA 2010), but if the condition meets the requirements of a disability under section 6 of the EA 2010, then case law such as Rooney v Leicester City Council suggests that the employee is protected and if the employer ignores a working woman’s menopausal issues they could be subject to a substantial disability discrimination damages claim as well as sex discrimination claim if treated unfavourably as in the case of Merchant v BT Plc (2012), where a female worker on a final written warning was dismissed for poor performance where the manager failed to act on a GP letter that suggested poor performance related to menopause issues that affected her concentration at times. The manager did not seek further medical clarity on the matter, which was a breach of the employer’s own policy on this.

WHAT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S APPROACH TO MENOPAUSE ISSUES IN THE WORKPLACE?

On 24 January 2023 the Government published their response to the recommendations made by the Women and Equalities Committee on addressing menopausal issues and have rejected specific recommendations of making menopause a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010 and have rejected the proposal of a pilot menopause leave arrangements as being unnecessary and counterproductive to achieving their goals in addressing such matters which if implemented could have resulted in other forms of

discrimination like discrimination against men suffering from longterm medical conditions.

The government’s focus appears to be on encouraging employers to be compassionate and flexible about menopausal issues faced by working women, including for employers to implement workplace menopause policies with flexible working patterns as the default option unless there are good reasons not to do so (not the law as yet).

Furthermore, the Government is in principle committed to appointing a Menopause Employment Champion who will provide guidance to employers on how to address menopause issues at work.

WHAT SHOULD EMPLOYERS DO?

Various surveys suggest that that menopause is a key workplace issue thus employers must ensure that they address matters in a fair and reasonable manner in particular to have in place a menopause policy that makes clear how women workers are supported by their employer on such matters.

The article is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal advice. If you require any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our free advice line team at 01455 852037.

Jatinder Tara, Advice Line Team Leader

7 predictions for B2B marketing in 2023

As Easter approaches, many businesses will start to feel the positivity of spring. It’s a period when many take time to consider their marketing plans for the year ahead. So, Sarah West of East Anglia’s leading B2B marketing agency takes a look at some of the predictions being made about B2B marketing in 2023:

1 – CANNY BUSINESSES WILL STRENGTHEN THEIR MARKETING

In the face of an economic downturn, many businesses may find the next 12 months challenging.

It’s tempting to cut marketing expenditure but it’s historically those who stand firm who rise to the top. Brighter economic predictions for the autumn and 2024 mean many businesses will double-down on marketing.

If you haven’t got a defined marketing strategy, putting your plans on paper will help crystallise them. Many things take longer than predicted, so beginning your proactive strategy now will also help iron out any kinks.

As marketing success is so often related to momentum, those who work hard through the challenging times to grow brand awareness often benefit most in the inevitable upturn.

2 - SOCIAL MEDIA WILL BECOME EVEN MORE IMPORTANT

If you’ve used LinkedIn over the last 10 years, you will have witnessed quite a change. Once solely devoted to company news or updating connections on your latest job, individuals and businesses are now much more likely to share insights, opinion and even light-hearted posts.

The key is personality. Social media users want to witness the human side of businesses and get a feel for their people and culture.

3 – CONTENT NEEDS TO BE MORE DIVERSE

Though long form content is great for SEO and demonstrating your sector leadership, your audience is looking to be entertained as well as informed.

As such, content marketing has to become more varied to stand out. How-to guides and white papers, blogs and opinion pieces, videos and podcasts, infographics and animations all have a rising role to play.

Personalised and targeted content is likely to play an ever-greater role in 2023 too. Not only can you share your knowledge and insights, but tailor it to your recipient’s own business or sector.

4 – B2B WILL FOCUS MORE ON HUMAN EXPERIENCE

Adding value is everything. Whether it’s the service you deliver or the content marketing you share, your recipients are interested in its worth to them.

Once viewed as emotionless collectives, businesses are made up of people and consumers. The line between what we personally buy and the goods and services we source for our employer is becoming blurred.

In 2023, successful B2B marketing will again continue its path towards embracing individuals, as well as businesses - appealing to emotions and experiences, not just technical features and rational benefits.

5 - LONG-TERM BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS WILL BE CRITICAL

Most businesses appreciate that finding new customers is costly and holding on to loyal clients is profitable. This has been the key to success for many.

Account-Based Marketing (ABM) – a highly tailored approach to marketing to individual companies and decision-makers – is going to play an even bigger role this year and beyond.

6 - DIGITAL SELF-SERVICE MAY DOMINATE THE B2B BUYER JOURNEY

As in our consumer lives, many professionals and business people wish to engage less with other people and do more online. This is likely to be a growth area in 2023, as businesses who serve other companies seek to provide their customers with greater functionality. Where the company website was once simply an online presence, it now needs greater thought and investment in many B2B sectors.

7 – B2B MARKETERS WILL OWN THE FULL CUSTOMER LIFE CYCLE

This year and beyond, marketers are predicted to concentrate more on upselling other products and services to their clients and encouraging loyalty.

By taking a holistic approach to the customer life-cycle, they will be able to gain insights to use in new business campaigns. Customer experience programmes will centre on brand, company values and talented personalities within the business.

In an age of social media and online reviews, turning satisfied customers into advocates is a key objective for many businesses in 2023.

Need help?

If you’d like more help to improve your B2B marketing in 2023, visit www.fullmixmarketing.co.uk

Develop your security knowledge and learn your way

Cybersecurity is now a top concern for any organisation in the current digital era. Companies must have a comprehensive cyber security policy in place to safeguard themselves against potential dangers, given the huge rise in cyberattacks – the running total for the year as of the end of February 2023, is now over 300 million pieces of compromised personal data. The best practises and processes for keeping a safe environment must also be taught to staff, as simply investing in cyber security tools and technologies is not sufficient.

The CISSP Blended Online Training Course from IT Governance is a great option for employee cyber security awareness training. It is suitable for mid and senior-level IT and security managers who are working towards achieving a position such as; CISO, CSO, senior security engineer, security consultant, security manager, security auditor, security director, security architect, network architect, IT director/ manager, security analyst and security systems engineer. The instructor-led sessions, guided digital content, mentoring, tools, resources, and applications are all included in this course’s blended learning strategy. It provides students and teachers with a better educational experience by broadening accessibility, boosting engagement, offering helpful resources, promoting cooperation, and streamlining assessment.

The course is set up to provide learning that may be sustained in the midst of a highly hectic work and personal schedule. To give students more time to acquire and comprehend each of the CISSP knowledge domains, it employs a flipped classroom method that blends guided digital information with instructor-led sessions. As a result, students can use their smartphone, laptop, or desktop computer to learn whenever and wherever they wish.

How IT Governance can help you

Our training centre based in Ely, is where you will find our expert trainers on hand to answer any questions you may have.

www.itgovernance.co.uk

servicecentre@itgovernance.co.uk

0333 800 7000

Four benefits of Azure Virtual Desktop for 2023

The way we work has drastically changed in the last few years. Azure Virtual Desktop is one of many ways in adapting. More organisations are leveraging virtual desktops and cutting costs. Cambridge Support discuss four benefits of Azure Virtual Desktop.

Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) is a desktop and app virtualization service that runs on the cloud. It provides easy-to-use infrastructure for your organisation’s employees. It is also supported on various Remote Desktop clients such as Windows Desktop, macOS, iOS, Android, Web, and the Microsoft Store Client.

Firstly, AVD allows employees the flexibility of accessing their virtual desktops from any location. These can also be accessed at any time by using any device. Secondly, AVD is very secure. In 2022, 39 per cent of UK businesses experienced a cyber-attack. Therefore, a move to the cloud makes more sense.

Thirdly, with AVD you only pay for what you use. The physical device used does not need to have high specifications because if it can run HTML, then this is sufficient. Lastly, as business needs change, AVD user licenses can be scaled up and down with ease. Also new virtual machines can be deployed in minutes.

In conclusion, AVD is now an integral aspect of many businesses, both large and small. AVD reduces expenses, delivers flexibility, and simplifies management. This technology has become more widespread with hybrid working becoming the new normal.

For more information contact Cambridge Support, 01223 921000, ask@cambridgesupport.com

Chamber membership provides access to key information, expert advice and legal protection, enabling you to stay informed, legally compliant and free to focus on what you do best – building your business.

Record year for company start-ups in Cambridgeshire

To see a more detailed picture of company formations in Cambridgeshire – including a full local breakdown, visit: www.informdirect.co.uk/company-formations-2022/ cambridgeshire/

To see the report in full, visit: www.informdirect.co.uk/companyformations-2022/

Inform Direct is a company secretarial and formation specialist. Its award-winning company secretarial and formations software currently supports 300,000 UK companies.

Figures just released show that more new businesses were established in Cambridgeshire during 2022 than in any previous year to date – making it one of the UK’s most successful counties.

A total of 7,739 new formations were registered in Cambridgeshire during the last 12 months, an increase of 3.5 per cent on 2021 when 7,476 were recorded. This brings the number of registered companies in the county to an all-time high of 57,788.

The statistics are taken from the Inform Direct Review of Company Formations, using data from Companies House and the Office for National Statistics.

Peterborough formed the highest number of new businesses (2,629), followed by Cambridge (1,465) and South Cambridgeshire (1,319).

John Korchak, Managing Director at Inform Direct, said: “It is great that Cambridgeshire can celebrate a record year for the number of new businesses established.

“The last few years have been turbulent for businesses, with inflation and a cautious economic outlook following the impact of the pandemic. However, in these figures we see evidence of the ambition, creativity and resilience of entrepreneurs in Cambridgeshire, as well as the benefits from the county’s support for a range of enterprises.

“This positivity is mirrored in the overall picture for the UK which saw a record number of new companies established during 2022, exceeding 800,000 for the very first time.”

The UK saw 805,141 new companies, compared to 771,617 in 2021, which represents an increase of 4.3 per cent and brings the total number of companies to 5,236,227.

Dissolutions of UK companies totalled 578,679, down on 2021 when 606,912 were recorded, suggesting that new and existing businesses are adapting to survive in a post-pandemic business environment.

Detective Superintendent Paul Lopez has almost 30 years policing experience with Essex Police and has worked across a number of diverse disciplines including Serious and Organised Crime, Intelligence and most recently Cyber Crime.

Paul has been the Managing Director of the Eastern Cyber Resilience Centre since May 2021 and is committed to using his experience to support businesses within the Region tackle the growing threat of cyber-crime and improve their levels of cyber resilience.

Why do businesses need to improve their cyber resilience now?

Small doesn’t mean safe when we’re talking about cybercrime. In 2022, 39 per cent of small businesses across the region reported that they had been a victim of cybercrime. A successful attack can crash your website, result in your data being encrypted or stolen and cost huge amounts of time and money to put right. With only one in 10 businesses paying for cyber insurance it could even close your business for good.

80 per cent of recorded crime in the UK is cyber fraud and only one per cent of police resources are dedicated to dealing with it. That means victims of this sort of offence are unlikely to get their money back, or see the offenders prosecuted. Consequently, businesses should do

Cybercrime

everything they can to reduce the likelihood of falling victim to an attack in the first place.

Won’t my IT company do all of this for me?

Many businesses outsource their computer and IT functions to outside companies – some will be able to assist with elements of cyber security, such as updating software patches and maintaining firewalls. But the ultimate responsibility on protecting your data and keeping your staff informed on current cyber trends will usually rest within your own company. If one of your staff accidentally or maliciously causes a breach in the network, that will sit with the directors, partners, and owners of the business. And many IT firms don’t possess the skills or experience to deal with a live or ongoing cyber incident. So, ask yourself a simple question. Do you know what you’d do if your network was attacked tomorrow morning? If you don’t know or aren’t sure you need to do something now.

What should I do now to protect my business?

• Ensure that you have Multi Factor Authentication (MFA) enabled as they are incredibly useful in protecting your systems, accounts and devices. A cybercriminal may be able to crack your username or password, but they do not have your fingerprint, Face ID or your mobile phone to authorise a log in attempt on a mobile authenticator app.

• Using passwords to protect your data – change your default passwords, avoid reused, guessable or predictable passwords. If your staff have a lot of passwords to remember, consider getting an enterprise password manager so they only have to remember one and the password manager generates and remembers the rest – saying goodbye to reused passwords.

• Make sure you have offline backups for your company data - Identify what data you need to back up and keep your backup separate from your organisational network.

• See what passwords you and your staff have which have already appeared in data breaches and change them as soon as possible Haveibeenpwnded.com is a free and legit website where you can enter your email address and telephone number to see if your information has been captured in a data breach. You can also register your email address or domain and get notified if it appears in another breach.

How can the ECRC help your business?

The Eastern Cyber Resilience Centre (ECRC) is a policing-led Home Office funded company established to help small and medium organisations tackle the rising threat of cyber-attacks. We offer FREE core membership that provides practical advice on building your cyber resilience, including:

• Free Little Steps training programme: A series of weekly emails, looking at bite-sized practical information to help businesses understand and build cyber resilience

• Regional and national threat alerts

• Signposting to free tools and resources from both policing and the National Cyber Security Centre

• We work with dedicated policing resources in your county that can provide cyber guidance and tools free of charge.

Property investment: What’s on the cards for residential landlords

How will landlords be affected by changes to Capital Gains Tax?

CGT is paid on profits you make when you dispose of a chargeable asset, such as a second property.

Every individual has an annual tax-free allowance which, for 2022/23, was £12,300. However, it was announced at Autumn Statement 2022 that this allowance will fall to £6,000 for 2023/24, and to £3,000 for 2024/25.

An individual disposing of a buy-to-let investment after 6 April 2023 will pay more CGT. Whilst consideration should be given to the timing of any disposals you have planned, for many it is already too late.

Is now the right time to invest in buy-to-let property?

This is really dependent on your circumstances, and what you want to achieve from your investment.

The often turbulent nature of the property market means that there are as many pitfalls to be wary of as there are opportunities; whilst, as aforementioned, demand for rental properties remains high in this part of the country, what house prices may or may not do in the months ahead remains to be seen.

Partner and property specialist at George Hay Chartered Accountants, Toni Hunter contemplates what property investment could look like for residential landlords in 2023, and whether now is the right time to invest, she explains how landlords will be impacted by changes to Capital Gains Tax (CGT) and shares her thoughts on the importance of having the right support in place.

What do you think 2023 will look like for landlords and property investors?

2023 could be a divisive year for landlords. Some will look to divest themselves of their portfolio, following relatively significant rises in bank base rates affecting mortgage costs, and taking into account the prospect of increased capital gains liabilities, as well as a wider cost of living crisis. Others will invest to take advantage of high demand and potentially higher yields. We are definitely seeing a different attitude towards highly leveraged property portfolios, with “derisking” becoming a more common strategy.

There may also be change to grapple with in respect of broader policy, with rental reforms afoot, a steer towards improved energy efficiency, and consultations on short-term lets expected.

Key to maximising the success of your portfolio is managing risk, watching your numbers and knowing who to turn to for timely, reliable and professional advice.

We collaborate with landlords and their advisers to ensure that they understand the best structure for their portfolios, that they are armed with the knowledge to make informed choices about their investment business, and that their strategy delivers what they expect against a shifting economic backdrop.

Whether you’re an established landlord, or preparing for your first investment, there are a few tickets left for our Q&A panel event on Thursday 13 April, where we’ll be joined by leading UK property expert Kate Faulkner, and other local property specialists. Search for ‘Property investment in a changing world’ in ‘Cambourne’ on Eventbrite.

To find out how we can support you with your property portfolio and investment objectives, call 01480 426500, or visit www.georgehay.co.uk.

British Ambassador to Ukraine records inspirational speech for International Women’s Day

Dame Melinda Veronica Simmons DCMG very kindly recorded a message for the Chamber to feature at our International Women’s Day event at Peterborough Cathedral on 8 March, organised by our Inspiring Women’s Sector Group. The video is available to view on the Chamber YouTube page.

The Ambassador was keen to enlighten viewers to what women have had to endure in Ukraine but also to remember women across the globe in celebration of International Women’s Day.

Dame Melinda Veronica Simmons DCMG is a British diplomat, who has served as Ambassador of the United Kingdom in Ukraine since September 2019. She was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (DCMG) in the 2023 New Year Honours for services to British foreign policy.

An Ambassador represents His Majesty The King and the UK government in the country to which they are appointed. They are responsible for the direction and work of the embassy and its consulates, including political work, trade and investment, press and cultural relations, and visa and consular services.

The Ambassadors key standout comment was ‘if every woman in a country is involved in building the country, then the country can be a success’. Since the outbreak of war, thousands of women and children have been displaced and moved to a safer part of the country, or to another country. Those women that have stayed have had to run their communities, support vulnerable family members and learn how to live under occupation. They are working out how to rebuild schools, community centres and communities to make them viable. Many women are now serving in the Ukraine armed forced, including the frontline, and also involved in local authorities and decision making.

The Chambers’ International Women’s Day event also focused on a panel discussion surrounding this year’s theme of #EmbraceEquity. The panel was hosted by Katie Allen, a specialist Diversity, Equity and Inclusion consultant and Executive Coach, and founding Director of Katie Allen Consulting Limited.

This annual global day aims to recognise the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women across the globe.

BCC launches three-year gender equity campaign on International Women’s Day

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) worked with leading panel provider Find Out Now to conduct a landmark survey of more than 4,100 respondents in February 2023. The research found that two thirds of women feel they have missed out on career progression because of childcare responsibilities.

The survey looks at the perceived impact childcare, general caring responsibilities and menopause have on a person’s career, as well as the support available to those impacted by the issues.

Childcare

Two-thirds (67%) of female respondents who have had childcare responsibilities in the last 10 years felt they missed out on career progression as a result. This includes career development, pay rises and/or promotions. For male respondents who have had childcare responsibilities, 35 per cent believed they missed out. Almost two-thirds (62%) of female respondents said they would prefer to take time from paid work for childcare responsibilities, compared to 55 per cent of male respondents.

General caring responsibilities

77 per cent of male respondents believe there is not sufficient support available for people with non-paid caring responsibilities for elderly or disabled relatives or friends. This figure increases to 86 per cent for female respondents. For those who have had caring responsibilities in the last 10 years, an equal proportion (52%) of males and female respondents felt they missed out on career progression as a result of their duties.

Menopause

Almost three quarters (74%) of female respondents feel there is not sufficient support for those experiencing menopause. One in three (34%) female respondents who have gone through menopause felt that it impacted their career negatively. However, there is a higher level of concern about the impact of menopause on a woman’s career amongst those who are yet to experience it. Almost half (43%) of female respondents believe they will miss out on career opportunities due to menopause.

Levelling Up for Women in the Workplace

The BCC is committed to facing these challenges head on by levelling up for women in the workplace, through an urgent three-year Chamber campaign. The campaign will be based on a threepoint plan, to include:

1. Short-term action: Convene employment experts, Chamber CEOs and employers to create a Chamber Workplace Equity Commission

2. Medium-term work: The commission to analyse research findings and case studies, to develop policies for Government and best practices for businesses enshrining equity in the workplace.

3. Long-term goal: Re-run the same survey with the aim of moving the dial on the findings we are publishing today.

Top Tips from Iwona Lebiedowicz, founder of PAB Languages Centre

Across the globe, every year, in more than 80 countries, people celebrate International Women’s Day. The earliest Women’s Day believed to be held in February 1909, in New York.

8 March is a global celebration day dedicated to honouring and celebrating women’s academic, social, economic, cultural, and political achievements.

#EmbraceEquity

Each year, a theme accompanies this celebration. This year’s theme is #EmbraceEquity. The aim of the IWD 2023 #EmbraceEquity campaign is to get the world talking about “Why equal opportunities aren’t enough” with series of thought-provoking events held online and in-person across the United Kingdom and beyond.

How is International Women’s Day celebrated across the world?

While International Women’s Day is recognised around the world, the way it is celebrated looks different from nation to nation. In some countries, the occasion is treated as an opportunity to praise and honour women, in other countries, International Women’s Day is a time for activism and protests.

Every country has its own unique way of celebrating the day, recognising that change is needed to support women and girls’ awareness, capacities, and abilities, and to create opportunities and an enabling environment for empowerment.

The United Kingdom

People across the UK celebrate women’s achievements and contributions with a series of events and engagements. The day is usually marked with marches, special events, and debates. The Women of the World event (including International Women’s Day), which takes place in London over three days, brings together activists, lecturers, and entertainers to address global issues affecting women. The colours that represent IWD (Purple, Green and White) originated from the Women’s Social and

Political Union (WSPU) in the United Kingdom. Purple represents justice and dignity. Green signifies hope. White symbolises purity.

Poland

Taking place on 8 March, Women’s Day in Poland today is a day to celebrate and honour women for their achievements. The tulip is today’s most popular IWD gift. Women’s Day was established in Poland in 1910 and until 1993 it was even a Public Holiday skilfully used by the socialist governments to promote the image of a woman, as the leading lady of work, who through effort and dedication supported her country. It was a mandatory day of celebration in workplaces and schools. Women would receive products that were generally difficult to find back then, such as tights, towels, or coffee. This is why there are still some people consider the Women’s Day a socialist hangover. Over the last decade marches, debates and protests for women’s rights and gender equality take place across the country.

Portugal

Celebrating in Portugal involves marches, debates, live music, and food events organised through Portugal. International Women’s Day is both a day of tradition of giving women gifts and of actively prompting greater respect for women in general, with flowers and chocolates being considered amongst the most popular gifts.

Italy

In Italy, International Women’s Day is referred to as La Festa Della Donna when people cherish and celebrate women’s achievements and raise awareness about inclusion and belonging. People in Italy celebrate the day by offering mimosa flowers to the women in their lives, similar to how red roses are given on Valentine’s Day. The yellow flower was chosen in part because it blooms in early March and is generally inexpensive. Women commonly pass sprigs of mimosas to one other as a show of female solidarity

and unity, which is also considered as a symbol of female strength.

China

China has observed International Women’s Day since 1949 and from 2014, women are entitled to a half-day holiday for Women’s Day. On 8 March employers are encouraged - though not obliged - to give their female staff a half-day off and men are encouraged to purchase presents for the women in their lives. While the primary objective of Women’s Day celebrations is to demonstrate love and respect for women, thoughtprovoking talks, important meetings, and award ceremonies linked to women are also organised across the country.

Bulgaria

In Bulgaria, International Women’s Day has been celebrated since the early 20th century. Much like Russia and Italy, the country celebrates women by giving and receiving flowers and other gifts. Each year, in the cities, special events are organised with women. Many shopping centres organise workshops and a variety of shows, such as make-up shows, booths with tips from stylists, or advice from experts in the fields of health and beauty. Over the last decade protests for women’s rights and gender equality have also taken place in Bulgaria around International Women’s Day. Although being celebrated differently around the world, International Women’s Day has the same purpose - to celebrate women’s accomplishments and promoting gender equality. Our team at PAB Languages Centre celebrates the achievements of women and girls on International Women’s Day, with an understanding that the bringing gender equality and equity into the society is the work of every day.

PAB Languages Centre helps organisations across all industries connect and communicate with their audiences in over 200 languages.

“If we don’t intentionally include, we unintentionally exclude. The power of diversity thrives in a culture of inclusion.” Joe Gerstandt

Sterling Cup supports Maggie’s Cambridge

Maggie’s Cambridge were delighted to be supported by Sterling Insurance who selected the charity as one of the beneficiaries for their popular golf day, The Sterling Cup!

Now in its third year for 2023, the Sterling Cup sees insurance professionals from across the sector come together to have fun and raise money for charities that are close to them. They also pit the teams against each other in a Ryder Cup format that sees them compete to win a Ryder Cup replica.

Hayley Webb, Centre Fundraising Manager, recently visited Sterling Insurance to see Peter Cook and Colin White (pictured) to thank them for their support and fantastic donation of £2,000 in support of Maggie’s Cambridge.

Peter Cook, Floor Manager at Sterling Insurance, shared: “In October 2018 my wife was diagnosed with cancer. It was while my family was struggling through the diagnosis, treatment

and recovery, that the support and care of charities really came to the fore. Having access to the services provided by these charities went such a long way in keeping my own stress levels manageable, whilst caring for my three young children.

“There is for me a massive driver to give back. Because without people like us giving charities money and support, then they won’t be able to give these treatments to others.”

Hayley Webb, Centre Fundraising Manager said: “We are ever so grateful for the support of Sterling Insurance. At Maggie’s we rely on the support of businesses to be able to deliver our programme of support and to be there for anyone affected by cancer. A huge thanks to everyone involved in this event which is growing year on year.”

To find out more about the Sterling Cup, see their website here: https://sterlingcup.co.uk/

Maggie’s our upcoming events:

• Mutt Strutt - ‘Strutt with your Mutt’ 100km throughout April whilst helping to raise money for Maggie’s Cambridge. Your dog will receive a free Maggie’s bandana, pack of dog treats and a monthly daily planner when you sign up. Thanks to Graeme, Chamber member from Saffron Apparel for helping us with our bandana’s!

• Kitchen Table Day – Host a coffee morning in your workplace for Easter or to celebrate the upcoming coronation, whilst supporting Maggie’s. Get in touch with Hayley in the fundraising team for more details or to explore other ways you can get involved!

Email: Hayley.webb@maggies.org Tel: 01223 249220 / 07557265462

The Chamber is delighted to announce that thanks to generous donations from our members at events over the last 12 months, we have raised £2,200 for Maggie’s during their time as Charity of the Year.

A big thank you to Novotel Cambridge North and The Haycock Hotel who covered our event costs to allow all ticket sales to be donated from those events.

AJJ Premises Ltd

AltemisLab Ltd

Aspray Peterborough

Brooks Macdonald

Business Boardroom

Cambridge belt.org

Cambridge Imports Ltd

Caring Together

Chartered Institute of Building

Clay Alliance Ltd

College of West Anglia

Crosstown

Curtis Communications Ltd

DB Sound and Vision

Empire Finance

Fiscale Ltd

Fonn Ltd

Ganadores Sports Marketing

Gonville Hotel

Good Running Events

GS Courier Lincoln Ltd

Helios Aerial Media Ltd

Keystone Marketing Ltd

LP Health Ltd

Møller Institute

Oasis Promotions & Print Ltd

Ora Labora Ltd

Paragraf Ltd

Passion for Growth Ltd

PCVS

Peakin Fear Consulting Engineers LLP

Peterborough Audi

PIB Insurance Brokers

Poweronics Ltd

Rutland Security Ltd

Saffron Apparel Ltd

Setchfield Services Ltd

Sustainable Energy Finance Ltd

Sycamore BMW

Symposium Olive Oil

The Local View Ltd

Tr Transformations

Tychrys Ltd

Ubisense Ltd

Vashi Impact Group Ltd

Vibrant Colour Ltd

Energise is a Net Zero and sustainability consultancy supporting customers in being a force for good, by providing our expertise and tools to organisations of all sizes.

Our specialist consultants and data analysts join customers at every step of their sustainability journey. We provide ambitious, yet achievable strategies to Net Zero, and empower our customers to act on their plans through a rigorous data collection process, setting science-based targets, highlighting solutions for resource efficiencies, carbon literacy and behaviour change interventions, and responsible offsetting.

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We custom build your own home - avoid the risks of going alone, at Stellco Homes, we understand the challenges and obstacles, that’s why our experienced team guide you through the entire process of finding a plot, design, planning and building safely, on time and on budget and stress free for you to enjoy the experience!

www.egis-group.com

Egis provides flexible services with our experienced Construction team. We can provide fixed-price contracted packages of works focused on core railway disciplines, undertaking Principal Contractor and Principal Designer roles, and we can also provide individual specialist support resources meeting the management, planning and/or engineering needs of your projects. We believe in collaborative solutions and will always match our service offering to what best meets the client’s needs.

Our international and UK expertise spans across all rail sectors and extends to depots, stations, operations and asset management, supporting clients in the design, development and construction of projects.

We have multi-sector capabilities in the UK, offering broader professional services across sectors, from highways and aviation through to building architecture and urban regeneration. Our exceptional teams are comprised of diverse and imaginative professionals who are passionately committed to leveraging their creativity and expertise to shape a brighter future for communities across the UK.

NEW MEMBERS

Passion For Growth Ltd

https://www.passionforgrowth.co.uk

Founded by Joanna Morrow, Passion For Growth Ltd is a people and organisation consultancy offering pragmatic, bespoke strategy, leadership and delivery. Our mission is to enable organisations to thrive and grow by assisting them to create environments, processes and learning opportunities which support colleagues to deliver their best work for customers and to feel successful on any given day.

Do you sense a lack of clarity across your organisation about your goals, measures, accountabilities and processes?

Do you have sales, marketing and operations plans but no plan for the people who will deliver them?

Does your current culture serve your long-term business plans? Are your leaders, managers and supervisors operating in a way that supports their people to succeed?

Is your HR team truly delivering what you need for your business to succeed?

We can help with any of these issues and drive your organisational efficiency and growth. We are offering a free, one-hour coaching session per Chamber membership booked in March or April 2023.

www.sunbeamconsultants.co.uk

Debbie Pugh, Confidence Coach, works with individuals to build confidence and resilience, especially those newly promoted into senior roles.

Anna Bennett Anna.bennett@visitely.org.uk

07704 156867

https://www.visitely.org.uk/

Anna Bennett, Tourism and Town Centre Manager from Visit Ely, is proud to join and support the Chamber. Anna has over 35 year of experience and knowledge of the Events and PR industry specialising now in the Tourism Industry for Ely and the local area. Ely boasts a number of fantastic attractions, and Anna is also responsible for managing the tourism centre which is part of the award winning Oliver Cromwell’s House – a very famous historic building that was once home to the Cromwell Family. The town centre and local independent shops also factors highly on Anna’s agenda, and she is keen to maintain good working relationships with traders/community and other local businesses by attending regular networking meetings and conferences.

Visit Ely and the team are responsible for hosting some of the biggest outdoor events in Ely, which have been known to attract in excess of 6000 people. If you are planning a group visit or a team building day out, Anna is the person to contact.

Join the herd for new charity art trail set to take over Cambridge!

Break, the charity which supports leaving care and on the edge of care across East Anglia, are excited to be bringing another fantastic sculpture art trail to Cambridge next spring!

Following on from the success of the Cows about Cambridge trail in 2021, Cambridge Standing Tall will see around 40 giraffe sculptures take to the streets of Cambridge for 10 weeks from March 2024 – giving residents and visitors an exciting new perspective of the city.

Delivered in partnership with Wild in Art and principal partner Cambridge Business Improvement District (BID), the trail will be bringing together a wide variety of organisations from across Cambridgeshire and is only made possible

by the involvement of the community of businesses, individuals, schools, community groups and artists.

“We can’t wait to release our herd into the wild next spring,” comments Break Senior Partnerships and Projects Manager Pete Marron. “We work closely with the local business community to create a trail that everyone can enjoy and we are always looking for more organisations to join our tower of giraffe supporters. It is such a great way for businesses and their teams to be involved in an inclusive public art event that is profile raising, community focused and that also has both positive social and economic impact on the region.”

This towering sculpture trail has a variety of sponsorship levels on offer, from the sponsorship of a single sculpture, to presenting and supporting partners which can contribute to budget relieving, valuein-kind support. Each 2.5m gentle giant that is sponsored will then be brought to life following an art selection event where businesses get to choose from designs submitted by established artists. Local schools and community groups are also being encouraged to take part by adopting and decorating one of up to the fifty Mini Gs, a smaller sculpture that will be part of the trail’s Learning and Community Programme.

Ian Sandison, Cambridge BID Chief Executive Officer, says: “We are delighted to be the Principal Partner for the Cambridge

Standing Tall 2024 project and to be working with Break on the city’s second art sculpture trail. Our ambition for this trail is to showcase the city to all who visit, live and work in Cambridge and encourage people to come out and explore areas they may not be familiar with. The trail is designed for all age ranges therefore can be enjoyed by the whole family, making this a low-cost, accessible activity for everyone.” Not only will people be encouraged to look up at the amazing artwork on offer, but all proceeds will support Break, who works across Cambridge and Cambridgeshire to raise the aspirations of the county’s care leavers and standing tall for young people with care experience –telling them that the sky is never the limit. Businesses and organisations that have already joined the new herd include Cambridge BID, Pentaco Construction Ltd., Cambridge Independent, Cambridge City Council, Aspiration Europe, Hilton Cambridge City Centre, Gonville Hotel Cambridge, First Copy, Grand Arcade and Lion Yard. The Cambridge Standing Tall project team are offering a special discount on sponsorship for Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce members. For more information visit break-charity. org/cambridge-standing-tall/ or email fundraising@break-charity.org

Panther Taxis donates £26,000 to Arthur Rank Hospice Charity

Cambridgeshire’s largest private hire operator, Panther Taxis, has donated over £26,000 to their Charity of the Year 2022.

Arthur Rank Hospice Charity was selected by community nomination in late 2021, and throughout 2022 0.5 per cent of every booking made by card through the Panther Taxis app was pledged to the charity, with donations made quarterly.

Surpassing the initial target of £20,000, the total donation amounted to £26,264.73 - the most ever raised through the scheme.

Arthur Rank Hospice Charity cares for more than 4,100 patients each year at their Hospice in Cambridge, the Alan Hudson Day

Treatment Centre in Wisbech and in patients’ own homes in the community.

Paul Clare, General Manager of Panther Taxis, said: “Raising more than £26,000 for Arthur Rank Hospice Charity has exceeded our expectations. We hope these funds will give a timely boost to support the charity in their important work providing compassionate care to those that need it in Cambridgeshire.

“It has been a pleasure to work with their fundraising team and their supporters. We hope to work with them again in the future.”

Jodie Vaughan, Head of Fundraising at Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, said: “We are grateful to everyone who helped raise this amazing

amount, from Panther Taxis and their staff to passengers who used the app in the last year. All of you have helped make a difference to the lives of so many people in our communities with a life-limiting illness.”

Charity walks raises more than £30,000 for local charities

Cambridge’s iconic annual Bridge the Gap charity walk raised more than £30,000 for two local charities in its first in-person event since before Covid.

More than 1,500 people walked around the city and through some of its historic colleges in September and raised £30,371 for Arthur Rank Hospice Charity and Romsey Mill.

The annual walk is sponsored by The Cambridge Building Society and organised by, and in aid of the two charities, who will split the total equally.

It was launched in 2001 and returned to an in-person event for the first time since 2019, after being postponed in the intervening two years due to the pandemic. The route took in six of Cambridge’s Colleges – Emmanuel, Sidney Sussex, Gonville and Caius, King’s, Pembroke, and Downing.

Sharon Allen OBE, CEO of ARHC, said: “It was wonderful to finally return to an in-person event and we are tremendously grateful to the many people who come out to support Romsey Mill and Arthur Rank Hospice Charity.

“The total of nearly £30,400 will go a long way to ensuring our two charities can continue to do the vital work that the local community has come to expect from us.”

Neil Perry, Chief Executive of Romsey Mill, said: “It was wonderful to see the sense of joy and community that was evident on the day, as the walkers all enjoyed a great occasion, thanks to the efforts of so many people.

“We are thankful to the many volunteers who gave their time. And to our sponsors: The Cambridge Building Society,

Rotary Club of Cambridge, Cambridge University Press and Assessment, and TTP; and event partners Cambridge 105 Radio and the Co-op, all of whom helped to ensure a hugely successful event.”

CEO of headline sponsor, The Cambridge, Peter Burrows, said: “Bridge the Gap is one of the annual events that our people and members particularly look forward to, which is why we are always so happy to lend our support as headline sponsor.

“It was terrific to be able to join so many members of our own team, and our charity partners, in a return to a physical event. We are already looking forward to this year’s walk and hope to be able to raise even more funds to help the charities continue their work.”

This year’s Bridge the Gap walk will take place on Sunday 10 September.

CPSL Mind announced as Keystone’s Charity of the Year

The Keystone team will be drawing on its experience of marketing strategy and community engagement to consult with CPSL Mind’s in-house fundraising and communications teams at no charge; offering considered advice and fresh perspectives to help maximise marketing activities and outcomes.

Keystone’s new fundraising page on Just Giving will also encourage direct donations to the cause across the year.

Speaking of the new partnership, Keystone’s Managing Director Hayley Williams said:

“I’m so pleased to have reignited our Charity of the Year initiative. We’ve always gifted time and expertise to help local causes elevate their work, and this renewed annual commitment gives us the opportunity to build a long-standing relationship and

make a prolonged impact. In the last year alone, CPSL Mind supported the mental health of over 4000 local people. The services provided at a grassroots level really are crucial, and we’re ready to play our part in making a difference in the geographical area in which the majority of the Keystone team live and work.”

Fundraising Manager Gary Sutcliffe and Keystone’s Hayley originally met through a Networking with Purpose Breakfast in the summer of 2022; an initiative developed by Cambridge-based social entrepreneur Rachel Hales from Get Synergised. The event was driven to connect businesses, charities and social enterprises for the greater good, and the idea of this new official corporate partnership was developed thereafter.

The first activity that this new partnership will support is the campaign to encourage participation in the 2023 Chiltern 50 Challenge on 23 September 2023. Individuals or teams can raise valuable funds for CPSL Mind by joining their team and walking, jogging or running along historic trails and over rolling hills in the Chilterns countryside.

If you would like to join an incredibly diverse range of individuals who wish to develop themselves, become better people, build lifelong friendships and play a more active and positive role in our communities and wider society, then Freemasonry could be for you.

On a journey based on centuries old traditions, we encourage our members to live by the core values of Integrity, Friendship, Respect and Charity. Membership is open to people from all backgrounds and the organisation’s aim is to empower members to be the best they can be – it’s about building character, supporting members as individuals, and helping them make a positive contribution to society.

There are also two female-only Grand Lodges in the United Kingdom who have the same core values as male Freemasons.

We have Masonic centres in Cambridge, Newmarket, Ely, March, Chatteris, Whittlesey and Wisbech.

Discover more at www.cambridgeshirefreemasons.org.uk

Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP)

Working to better align the education and training provisions with the needs of local employees

Enter our survey and be in with a chance of winning £250.00.

Closing date: Sunday 30 April

WIN £250

Keith finds it a challenge to recruit employees who don’t want a desk job

“Courses for skilled trades like ours are often overlooked by training providers. Huge shortages are looming in the workforce.

“Completing the survey, and expressing our concerns at the LSIP workshop, we hope will help promote vocational skills training and T-Levels. These are vital for the future of local trades and the telecom and construction industries.”

Keith Evans, Owner of Millrose, a network cabling installation company in Cambridgeshire

ECONOMIC CLIMATE, HOUSE PRICES AND IMPACT ON CUSTOM AND SELF-BUILD MARKET

WHAT’S HAPPENING TO HOUSE PRICES?

The current economic problems, caused by the pandemic, raising fuel prices, caused by the war in Ukraine, is fuelling the cost-of-living crisis. As a consequence, the Bank of England has been raising interest rates making mortgages more expensive which is driving change in the housing market and house price increases are expected to stall and or decline. Though, it does seem like interest rates have peaked and some mortgages rates have slightly declined. Some national house builders are likely to curtail their build operations to address the anticipated fall in demand leading to fewer new homes being available.

IS NOW A GOOD TIME TO BUY A HOUSE OR BUILD YOUR OWN HOME?

Traditionally and in the longer term, housing will continue to be a good investment and short-term conditions should not drive short term personal housing needs nor the desire to own your own home or build your own home to cater for your family needs and the desire to have a home designed to your personal specification, taste and lifestyle.

With every downside comes an upside! And adversity creates opportunity. House price reductions will help many people, not least first-time buyers waiting to get on the housing ladder and those that may be able to pick up a bargain!

UK housebuilders are calling for a relaunch of help to buy, to intervene and to minimise the potential decline in house building and stimulate demand without which housebuilding will slow-down.

Not every area will be impacted the same. Local house prices are determined by how desirable a particular location is and how many similar properties are available - supply and demand.

But here’s why it’s a good idea to pursue a custom or self-build in today’s market

Traditional barriers to custom and self-build have always been availability of funding, finding a suitable plot and obtaining planning.

• Mortgage Finance: Help to Build is here, it’s had a slow start but offers a route to finance with five per cent deposits, and we’re expecting the product to be refined to make it more accessible. UK Government Launch £150m Fund To Help People Build Their Own Home.

In-addition there are more finance products for custom and self-build on the market than ever before, giving you more choice. Find a broker or lender on NaCSBA’s Self Build Portal.

• Land: This is intrinsically linked to planning, and thanks to the Right to Build government task force, over 88 councils have a percentage policy in place, which requires larger sites to include a proportion of plots allocated to custom and self-build homes. The NPPF includes a requirement for local authorities to bring forward 10 per cent of land for small sites being ideal for the custom and self-build sector. Many other Councils have other policies to support the route. For instance, Parish Councils and local communities are much more likely to support such schemes which will deliver homes that are better designed, built to higher standards and are more environmentally friendly.

• Planning: The Right to Build legislation created registers and a statutory duty for English Councils to include custom and self-build in their policy. This duty means more and more Local Planning Authorities are aware of custom and self-build and it’s benefits and challenges and will be obliged to make more plots available to meet local demand. Due to the above policy commitment requirement, obtaining planning for smaller sites is proving more successful for custom and self-build schemes with more councils granting planning directly but also, which is very important, decisions have been overturned via statutory appeals where councils have been slow in acknowledging the change in government policy and support for custom and selfbuild schemes.

In a number of applications, the fact of including custom and self-build units within larger schemes, has helped tilt the balance in favour of granting planning.

THE BENEFITS OF BUILDING YOUR OWN HOME

Custom and self-builders do build more beautiful and greener homes that have far better energy performance!

Building your own home can be a challenging and time-consuming process, but the end result is well worth the effort. With a clear plan, a realistic budget, and the right team of professionals, anyone can build the home of their dreams.

In addition to the traditional self-build route, another option to consider is a custom build home. A custom build home allows you to have all the advantages of a self-build home, but with some added benefits. One of the main advantages is that custom build home

Don’t let the economic climate deter you from custom or self-building your own home!

developers provide a plot, which can be difficult to find on your own. This eliminates the need for you to go through the process of finding and purchasing land, which can be a time-consuming and costly endeavour. Another advantage of a custom build home is that it minimises risk. When building a home on your own, there is always the possibility of making mistakes, which can be costly to fix. A custom build home is guided by a professional builder, which means you don’t need to worry about or be involved in the complex planning and building control process. This eliminates the risk of making mistakes and ensures that your home is built to the highest standards.

Furthermore, a custom build home is generally quicker, easier, and less stressful than a traditional self-build. The builder will handle all the details of the construction process, freeing you up to focus on the more enjoyable aspects of building your own home, such as choosing the fixtures and finishes. This can make the entire process less stressful, as you don’t have to worry about all the details that come with building a home on your own. Building your own home can be an extremely rewarding experience, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. A custom build home is a great option to consider if you want all the benefits of a self-build home, but with less stress and less risk of making mistakes. With the help of a professional builder, you can be sure that your home is built to the highest standards and that it will be a place you will be proud to call your own!

WHO SHOULD BUILD THEIR OWN HOME?

The benefits of building your own home is applicable to many people, young or old or in different stages of

their life or circumstances. Starter homes, downsizing, wanting to create your own version of lifestyle, there are no barriers to people taking on the challenges and fulfilling their own dream!

One particular group of people, that springs to mind, who would benefit in this particular economic climate are older people. Those living in homes with a large build-up of equity that are completely unsuitable for them either because the property is too big for them, now that their families have grown up and left home, or its poorly insulated and is costly to heat or difficult to maintain. For this demographic, custom or selfbuild makes sense. They have the desire, the funding and vitally, it’s the right time in their life! And most people simply won’t find anything in the open market that suits any comfortable downsizing options. For these people the time is right now, regardless of wider economic forces, and in fact energy bills might be the incentive to review their living conditions!

Get help and advice to build your own home on the Self Build Portal. Or get in touch with Stellco Homes and find out how we can custom build your own home!

Avoid the risks of going alone, at Stellco Homes, we understand the challenges and obstacles, that’s why our experienced team guide you through the entire process of finding a plot, design, planning and building safely, on time and on budget and stress free for you to enjoy the experience! Register your interest now at https:// stellcohomes.co.uk/register-interest or learn more about our custom build process at stellcohomes.co.uk

You can view this blog on the Stellco Homes website where you will be able to access useful links : https:// stellcohomes.co.uk/blog/economic-climate-houseprices-impact-custom-self-build-market

Haslingfield Custom Build CGI - Create your vision for your custom build home!

Do you have some exciting news to shout about that could be featured on this page?

Get in touch. Tel: 01223 237424

email: s.parr@cambscci.co.uk

Celebrating 20 years of email marketing from Smart Messenger

Messenger has been enhanced and improved to become a powerful and intuitive email marketing system that is suited to organisations of all sizes. Today, Smart Messenger handles the creation and delivery of millions of emails each month, for hundreds of clients.

101 has remained faithful to its original principles when launching Smart Messenger. Its focus is to provide a first-class, UK-based email marketing solution and an unrivalled level of customer service.

101 – the Norwich-based digital marketing agency – is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its email marketing platform, Smart Messenger. When 101 launched the platform in 2003, Smart Messenger was one of the UK’s first email marketing systems. In 2003, 101 had an established client base and a strong reputation for web design and development. A website client approached the company for help with an email project. They wanted a solution that would allow them to know how many emails had been sent and opened. In response, 101 built a standalone product that delivered what their customer required. It was a very basic email marketing solution, but revolutionary at the time.

101 recognised the commercial potential of the system, and Smart Messenger was born. Over the next 20 years, Smart

101’s MD, Holly Stibbon, is clear on the reasons for Smart Messenger’s success: “It’s simple. We deliver all the top email marketing functionality our clients need, combined with a level of tailored, personal service that huge global email marketing companies like Mailchimp cannot begin to rival. We get to know our clients so we can provide support based on their individual requirements.

“We also provide free training and our renowned ‘Just Call Us’ support service. This unlimited, ongoing phone and email support is available to all clients for no extra charge. It’s the reason why many marketers switch to Smart Messenger from online services where support is limited to chatbots or help forums.

“We are also entirely UK-based. Clients often choose Smart Messenger as an alternative to Mailchimp because of concerns about where their data is being held and processed. Our servers are based in the UK, we’re stringent about data protection and clients can be assured that their data is safe with us.”

Anne Corder Recruitment enters new era with modern rebrand

Long standing Peterborough-based recruitment agency, Anne Corder Recruitment, is looking forward to a particularly exciting 2023, with a bold brand refresh to match its impressive expansion plans.

The recruitment specialist is embracing a fresh new look, including an updated website and modernised branding, with plans to further expand its HR recruitment activities across the UK, and to mirror this success within other streams including finance and marketing.

Anne Corder Recruitment is well known in the local area for its expertise within the regional jobs market, delivering best practice campaign led solutions from SMEs to large global companies in HR, recruitment, marketing, admin and customer service. 2023 however will also see the firm look to expand geographically and embark on new and exciting projects with further national businesses in new locations across the UK.

To support its rebrand and expansion plans, the growing team is also looking forward to welcoming clients and candidates at a new, fully refurbished office space in the Lynchwood area of the city.

New Managing Director, Nel Woolcott will lead the team into its new era, taking the business’ recruitment experience and skills into new industries, including the finance sector, as well as expanding her team’s capability to recruit c-suite and senior leadership roles.

Nel explained: “I’m so delighted with our rebrand and the many exciting opportunities that 2023 holds for us, our clients and our candidates. As a business that has been working in and around the Peterborough area for more than 25 years, I’m proud to be leading the team into this new phase of growth and expansion.

“The whole team contributed to our new look, and we worked together to determine what we wanted for the next

era of Anne Corder Recruitment, including what we want to stand for as a team and a business, our values, as well as our goals for the future.

“Our modern rebrand aligns with our evolved vision of how we will do business and help build on our existing reputation as thought leaders and expert recruiters, as well as providing opportunities to work with new and exciting partners. We’re thrilled to be entering this new phase and can’t wait to get started.”

Anne Corder Recruitment has been operating in the region for over 25 years, working to place quality candidates with local businesses across a variety of industries. The company’s new website can be found here: www.annecorder.co.uk

Gemma’s rapid rise to Azets’ Associate Director

Gemma has been part of the 50-person, six-partner office in Peterborough since 2008, qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in 2014 and is now embarking on her new role within the office. Specialising in audit and assurance within the not-for-profit, charity, education and commercial sectors, Gemma is delighted to be in her new role, doing the job she loves.

She said: “I was absolutely thrilled to join the firm, following an application to a letter posted on the sixth form notice board at my school, Spalding Grammar School, inviting people to apply to become a trainee at Rawlinsons Accountants in Peterborough.

Gemma has managed a large team since Rawlinsons was acquired by the Baldwins Group in 2018. In September 2020, the Baldwins Group was rebranded to Azets. As an Associate Director, she will have a key role to play not only with her clients but also in the development and running of the office.

Azets Peterborough Office Managing Partner, Mark Jackson said: “We are delighted to be able to announce the promotion of Gemma to Associate Director at Azets. It is always good to see people progress and her promotion is well deserved.

Having joined the firm, after completion of her A Levels, Gemma Wright has now been promoted to Associate Director by firm Azets.

“Having worked within the firm since 2008, I can’t see myself doing anything else. I enjoy being part of the business, supporting colleagues and most importantly helping my clients.”

“She joined us from school, moved through her AAT and ICAEW exams with first time passes and now provides an excellent service to a variety of corporate, charitable and academy clients. Gemma has also been a great advocate of improving our impact on the environment and supporting our local community.”

Howes Percival appoints corporate law expert

transactions.

In the last 12 months, the East of England Corporate team has advised on a series of eye-catching deals, including farm machinery dealer Ben Burgess on the acquisition of fellow John Deere dealership the Doubleday Group, Master’s Logistical Services Limited of Ely on the sale to Knowles (Transport) Limited and Touchdown PR Limited on the sale of the company to US headquartered Ruder Finn, one of the world’s largest independent global communications agencies.

Howes Percival has added specialist corporate law solicitor Josie Rogers to its growing Corporate, Commercial, and Banking team in Cambridge.

Josie’s recruitment follows the appointment of James Stephen in January, as head of its Corporate Law team, at Howes Percival’s rapidly growing Cambridge office.

An experienced Corporate lawyer, Josie works with business owners, SMEs and larger corporations, advising on a range of corporate transactions including share and asset sales and purchases, management buyouts, and shareholder agreements. Josie joins Howes Percival from Attwaters Jameson Hill Solicitors, as an Associate.

Howes Percival’s Corporate, Commercial, and Banking team enjoyed its busiest year to-date in 2022, completing over 150

James Stephen, Partner and head of the Corporate Law team in Cambridge, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Josie to the Corporate team in Cambridge. Her arrival represents the latest step in the firm’s investment in the Corporate, Commercial and Banking team, both firm-wide and in Cambridge. We look forward to helping Josie settle in quickly and to her enjoying her career with the firm.

“The firm has had a clear plan to invest in its Corporate, Commercial, and Banking team nationally in recent years, which has generated a significant uplift in capacity, experience and results across all the offices. Following a record-breaking number of deals last year, we are expecting to be busy again this year despite the current uncertain economic climate. The Cambridge office is going from strength to strength across all our specialisms and we continue to grow our market share in the city.”

Do you have some exciting news to shout about that could be featured on this page?

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email: s.parr@cambscci.co.uk

Quality of Information Advice and Guidance recognised with matrix Standard

Cambridge Regional College has been successful in achieving re-accreditation to the matrix Standard which demonstrates the continued high quality of information, advice and guidance support that the Student Services team provide to students and the wider community.

The matrix Standard is the international quality standard for organisations that deliver information, advice and/or guidance (IAG); and is a requirement for all UK further education colleges.

Roger Chapman, Head of the matrix Service for The Growth Company said: “This is a fantastic achievement for Cambridge Regional College, and I would like to congratulate the team on their success. We believe that at the heart of high-quality advice and support services are strong leadership, excellent service and a focus on continuous improvement, all underpinned by effective use of the resources available. The matrix Standard is designed to benchmark organisations against best practice in these areas. With their accreditation success, Cambridge Regional College is working to provide the best possible support to their clients.”

Commenting on the award, Michelle Dowse, deputy principal at CRC said: “This is a real mark of recognition of the continued quality of the advice and guidance provided to our students and wider

community by our award-winning Student Services and Employer Engagement Teams. Our aim is to provide the very best support for our students to help them achieve and secure great careers. We are delighted to have had such positive feedback and to have maintained this quality kitemark.”

New CleanCube website taking portable cleanroom procurement to new heights

range of nine standard models, investigate the various internal solutions available and so much more besides.

Particular highlights include the three internal Specification pages – GMP, ISO and CNC – which offer different levels of finish through a defined component selection, meaning that any application’s needs are covered, no matter how stringent.

The site also allows users to explore the different Technical aspects of their CleanCube – from Structural components to the Mechanical and Electrical set-up, right through to a wide range of Furniture and Equipment solutions.

a really straightforward, smooth, highquality and unique feel.

“We’ve had so many kind words from people across a range of industries and we’re grateful for all the support, advice and recommendations – it’s really helping us improve on what is already a fantastic new platform.

“We’re urging anyone with the need for a new laboratory or cleanroom, particularly those businesses limited by space, time or budget requirements, to head over to www.cleancube.co.uk now to check out the new site.

The Guardtech Groups new dedicated CleanCube Mobile Cleanrooms website is giving clients the power to tailor their perfect portable controlled environment like never before.

The new site – www.CleanCube.co.uk –offers visitors the chance to browse the full

Marketing Manager Joe Shackley, who built the site with Commercial Director Mark Wheeler, is delighted with the feedback he’s received so far from site visitors.

“The response has been amazing,” he said. “Mark and I put a huge amount of time and effort into refining the user experience to ensure this site, and all subsequent Guardtech Group subsites, would have

“The site is packed with amazing imagery and video, useful technical info and all the data you’d ever need to build your perfect portable controlled environment.”

The Guardtech Group is now stepping up plans to unveil a follow-up website for turnkey construction business Cleanroom Solutions by April – with even more new subsites still to come throughout spring and summer.

Chef brings plant-based creations to The Fellows House Cambridge

The Fellows House Cambridge, Curio Collection by Hilton is delighted to introduce Kiran Selvarajan as new Executive Head Chef of The Folio Bar & Kitchen. Selvarajan joins the team with nearly 28 years of international culinary experience across various five-star deluxe hotels. Selvarajan is taking on his new role at an exciting time as he pivots the apartment-style hotel’s gourmet offering in the main restaurant to focus on new dishes with a strong emphasis on healthy living and plant-based ingredients. All dishes will blend home-cooked traditional British cooking with a contemporary twist.

On his new position as Executive Head Chef, Kiran Selvarajan comments: “The last five years has seen a rapid movement towards veganism and plant-based food with a conscious attitude of ‘healthy food equalling healthy minds’. My personal and work background has influenced the new food concept at The Folio Bar & Kitchen with a play on traditional British classics like fish and chips, but the batter ingredients include Noori and the chicken burger features a variety of Korean spices. We want to ensure the

new menu caters to everyone’s palettes as our guests travel from all over. For our long staying guests, we like to really understand their likes and dislikes so we can tailor our food and beverage accordingly - and offer them a diverse menu.”

Next Generation of #21toWatch Winners offer game-changing solutions for the challenges of today

entrepreneurs and innovators across Cambridge and the East of England, and celebrates those who are building on the legacy of the famed Cambridge cluster by setting fresh standards in innovation and entrepreneurship across the globe. This year’s exciting #21toWatch winners are, indeed, a true reflection of our time, providing solutions which highlight and address the main concerns of today: Alzheimer’s, inclusion, food security, energy-saving, recycling, sustainability, decarbonisation and other Net Zero challenges. And, over the last five years, the #21toWatch Top21 winners have attracted funding and investment totalling over £300million (£304,889,419.00).

AI, IVF, DNA, Bluetooth, Wireless internet, the webcam, inkjet printing, ARM (smartphone chip), ALEXA, smart meters, gene sequencers, the asthma inhaler, the flushing toilet, thermos flasks, cats’ eyes, catflaps, round teabags, the hovercraft, the reflecting telescope, video games, the pacemaker, heart transplants, liver transplants, iris recognition, the Clearblue digital pregnancy test, ghd hair straighteners, Darktrace, Raspberry pi, Hotel Chocolat, the Maris piper potato, Concorde’s droop nose.

All have been invented, developed and discovered in Cambridge.

And it is because of our city’s long history of invention that we look forward especially to the annual announcement of the #21toWatch Top21 which heralds the next generation of

Divided into People, Companies and ‘Things’, the Top21.2023 have all been assessed according to five strict criteria: Innovation, Challenge, Influence, Viability and Memorability, researched via third party platforms, and selected by an independent panel of judges.

The winners were announced at the awards ceremony held at the Storey’s Field Centre in Cambridge.

View the #21toWatch at: www.cofinitive.com/21towatchtop21-2023/

#21toWatch founder, Faye Holland said: “Cambridge is certainly no stranger to innovation and technology. The university alone leads the world in the number of successful tech founders and spinouts it produces. And for most of those appearing on its long and shortlists, #21toWatch is a launchpad to greater things, and we look forward excitedly to following the journeys.”

Do you have some exciting news to shout about that could be featured on this page?

Get in touch. Tel: 01223 237424

email: s.parr@cambscci.co.uk

Living Sport is delighted to announce Samantha Hyde as new CEO

We recently undertook a review of our role and function in improving health, happiness, and wellbeing by supporting people to be active, in a meaningful way through our programmes, events, influencing policy and where we can fund projects too.

Samantha has chosen to return to the East of England after a successful career in London, across the UK and globally spanning nearly 18 years. We are delighted as she is a highly experienced, successful, and well-regarded business leader, with an extensive portfolio guiding and leading large charitable organisations. Her previous roles have included CEO of the Camelot Foundation, UK Director at Save the Children and Director for the End Child Poverty Campaign. These roles and knowledge are all crucial given the current space we are in, and the present cost of living crisis.

Frazer Bennett Chair of Living Sport said: “We are extremely fortunate to have someone of Samantha Hyde’s calibre and experience to lead Living Sport and our relationship with our major funder Sport England. We are at a pinnacle point in implementing our new strategy and Samantha has made such a significant impact alongside our team in a short time.”

Samantha Hyde commented: “This is an incredibly exciting time for Living Sport as we embark on a new stage of our journey. I am passionate about improving the health and wellbeing for everyone living across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, especially for those facing inequalities within our communities. Sport England’s investment in us is an amazing gift that we will use to great ends.”

The Cambridge signs neurodiversity membership

NiB is a network of organisations that promotes understanding of neurodiversity within the workplace. It also aims to highlight how companies can benefit from being neuroinclusive, celebrate difference and empower ND people to progress and realise their career potential.

some people from fulfilling their true potential. This membership will provide us with support and guidance, enabling us to do the right thing in the right way to support our team members.

The Cambridge Building Society has become a Corporate Member of Neurodiversity in Business (NiB) with a focus on building a neuroinclusive culture.

Head of People at The Cambridge, Vicky Filler, said: “The Cambridge is known for being a welcoming and inclusive team of individuals who all have a unique something to offer, so becoming a member of NiB was a natural step.

“It can be easy to sometimes assume that we all think in the same way, which we know can stifle creativity and prevent

“It’s definitely good for neurodivergent team members and helps to increase the understanding of everyone in the business and will also help us get the best from our teams.”

NiB has a range of resources to help member organisations, including monthly workshops, and half-yearly conferences, as well as sharing best practice and helping organisations develop staff training materials.

Red Shoes Accounting has welcomed Senior Manager, Vanessa Pearson, to the team

Vanessa will be managing a portfolio of corporate clients and the personal tax affairs of their directors. She will mainly be focussed on the Engineering, Education, Hygiene and Waste, and Construction sectors in addition to Research & Development claims, IR35 issues, Let Property campaign disclosures and 60 day reporting for disposals of residential property.

On the Operational side, as Senior Manager, Vanessa will work alongside Principal Accountant, Victoria Cooper, and is responsible for the recruitment, and training and development of staff in all aspects of accounts production and tax compliance.

Victoria says: “Vanessa is a huge asset to Red Shoes Accounting, we are thrilled that she has joined the team. She will be instrumental in streamlining our processes for maximum efficiency and ensuring top class customer service. With Vanessa’s vast experience and expert technical knowledge we can grow rapidly and smoothly and continue to build on the high quality of our reputation.”

Vanessa studied Maths at Sussex University, before gaining her AAT qualification and has over 25 years’ experience in accountancy and tax. She trained at a local firm, gaining knowledge of small and medium businesses (SME’s) at a senior level, and is a fellow AAT member.

Stone King facilitates overseas recruitment for Taiwanese bubble tea franchise

The Immigration Team at Cambridge law firm Stone King assisted fast-growing Taiwanese bubble tea franchise T4 to become a sponsor licence holder and bring tea specialists over from Taiwan, including during the pandemic, to support its UK business growth. The Home Office had previously rejected an initial application for a sponsor licence.

Julie Moktadir, Head of Immigration Team and Faith Sector at Stone King, said: “The licence application was challenging as T4 operated as a virtual business model, and we needed to show that they satisfied the Home Office’s requirements around HR processes and procedures to monitor any sponsored workers and to meet sponsorship duties. The vacant positions within T4 were also very specialist and it was important to emphasise the prospective candidate’s experience and knowledge of Taiwanese Tea given that these roles did not neatly fit within the list of UKVI SOC Codes. We’ve also been able to assist T4 with updating the Sponsor Management System when they moved their registered office, as well as on general matters such as right to work checks.” Since securing the sponsor licence, Stone King has assisted in successful applications to bring four Taiwanese nationals to the UK on Skilled Worker visas to support T4’s UK operations, including three Product Quality Control Managers.

Julie, who is based at the firm’s Cambridge office in Hills Road, added: “These applications were, again, not straightforward given the niche area of specialism, which is not included on the skilled worker list, but we are delighted that our representations on behalf of our client have been successful each time.”

T4 was founded in Taiwan in 2004 with the philosophy of connecting people through a cup of tea, focusing on quality, artisan tea prepared in small batches. The franchise currently has 40 branches across the UK.

Luis Liu, CEO of T4, said: “We are grateful to the team at Stone King for their advice and guidance. We are a growing franchise and particularly at the point where our initial application for a sponsor license was unsuccessful we urgently needed to fill specialist roles. The team’s swift support meant that we could do this. We have since instructed Stone King each time the business needed to sponsor individuals to fill specialist roles to ensure the quality and authenticity of our products and operation.”

Wyboston Lakes Resort celebrates 40th anniversary

Wyboston Lakes Resort will mark 40 years of trading from its site in Bedfordshire this year with several events and activities.

Purchased in September 1983, the 380-acre site in Bedfordshire featured a fledgling golf course at the time. The founder, Peter Hutchinson created Wyboston Lakes Resort

to form part of an already successful portfolio of businesses. His entrepreneurial vision and investment allowed for exponential growth year on year, and four decades on, the business continues to flourish and operate with input from three generations of the Hutchinson family. It is the culture, developed from these family values that attracts customers from far and wide to the diverse, but complementary range of services. The resort has continued to invest and grow culminating in a record business year in 2022. The resort now offers two contemporary residential training and event centres, a four-star hotel, brasserie, several bars, awardwinning spa, 18-hole golf course, health and leisure club, and a water sports centre which is ideal for teambuilding activities. The resort also has a nature reserve, serviced offices, co-working spaces, branded training space, and land for future enterprise.

An estimated 250,000 people pass through the Wyboston Lakes Resort each year, and the business now generates an annual turnover of tens of millions of pounds. The business is a Real Living Wage employer and has also been recognised with a long line of awards including being one of the Best Companies to work for nine consecutive years, as well as multiple accolades for its meeting and events business, sustainability credentials, its spa and hotel.

Chelsey Hutchinson, Chair of Wyboston Lakes Resort, said: “We have made major investments in developing and refurbishing all areas of the site over the years, with our customers – both national and local - our people and sustainability always front of mind. We will continue to evolve to meet their needs while actively contributing to support our communities.”

Wellbeing Update

Protected Characteristics

In the world of employment tribunals, you often hear about the horror stories of an organisational case that have gone wrong only after the event has taken place. What we do not see are the catalogue of errors which were allowed to take place in the run up to the pivotal moment when an employer found it impossible to say anything or not act.

I often think that if we only took a more proactive stance in our organisational learning and training half of these cases would not make it to the tribunal.

You see, humans are complex, emotional individuals and have needs which go beyond what can seem bureaucratic in terms of paperwork and policies. It is the culture within an organsiation that needs to be positive so that these breakdowns in terms of care, which then become actionable do not happen so often. An understanding of the Protected Characteristics is crucial, not only to the policy makers and HR departments, but also to the team. This is because it is the behaviour on the metaphorical shop floor which often leads to reports of discrimination to the leadership and enforcement powers within the organisation. It would be prudent at this point to reference to what discrimination is:

According to the United Nations it is ‘the act of making unjustified, prejudiced distinctions between people based on the groups, classes, or other categories to which they belong or are perceived to belong’ and it is illegal. A good place to start to understand how this could impact your place of work is to take a look at the Human Rights Act 1998 which sets out the rights that everyone in the UK is entitled to and then legislation which talks about the basic rights and freedoms that people within the UK are afforded, and they are based upon shared values like dignity, fairness, equality, respect, and independence. Looking further into the laws you will come across the protected characteristics. These can be found under the Equality Act 2010 legislation where you fill find nine protected characteristics. The website has many examples as well as best practice ideas on

how to avoid discriminatory behaviour in the first place.

They are:

Age discrimination

Disability discrimination

Gender reassignment discrimination

Marriage and civil partnership discrimination

Pregnancy and Maternity discrimination

Race discrimination

Religion or belief discrimination

Ok, so the whistlestop tour of the rights and legislation will be a suitable place to start but remember this is not enough. It is imperative that organisations take this information on board and then inform staff on all levels and then implement changes or practices if necessary. There are useful resources which should go towards an agile program of work within every company, no matter how small, and there is also an argument that this training be mandatory.

What do you think?

For more information on the Human Rights and Equality Act, look here.

https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/ human-rights/human-rights-act

Danielle Bridge, Founder and CEO of ABC Life Support CIC, a Social Enterprise First Aid Training organisation that delivers physical and mental health first aid training across the UK.

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EVENTS

Chamber members can register for events via the Chamber website www.cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk or please contact email events@cambscci.co.uk

SAFARI NETWORKING EVENTS

Take the opportunity to meet new business connections through safari networking. This relaxed but structured format offers guests the chance to move around the room and form connections with new business contacts from a wide range of industry sectors.

Informal Networking Evenings

Build new connections at these free events taking place across the county.

Catch up with familiar acquaintances you haven’t seen for a while, mingle with new business contacts and share knowledge and skills with like-minded professionals. These events are free to attend.

APRIL 2023

The Crown Hotel, Stamford

Tuesday 18 April, 5.00-6.30pm

TBC, Cambridge

Thursday 20 April, 5.00-6.30pm

Poets House, Ely

Monday 24 April, 6.00-7.00pm

MAY 2023

The Old Bridge, Huntingdon

Wednesday 10 May, 5.00-6.30pm

Peterborough Audi

Tuesday 16 May, 5.00-7.00pm

Holiday Inn Express, Cambourne

Thursday 18 May, 5.00-6.30pm

Poets House, Ely

Monday 22 May, 6.00-7.00pm

Huntingdonshire

Wednesday 26 April, 10.00am-4.00pm

Burgess Hall, Westwood Road, St Ives, PE27 6WU

Huntingdonshire’s biggest and most exciting business-tobusiness exhibition returns to Burgess Hall in April.

Over 400 people will come together to build new connections, promote products and services and be inspired by our programme of guest speakers.

Take part by exhibiting to showcase your organisation, join in with free speed networking sessions, listen to free and inspiring seminars or browse the range of stands we’ll have exhibiting. For exhibitors, it’s a great, cost-effective opportunity to promote your business and increase potential customer base.

SAFARI NETWORKING BREAKFAST

Tuesday 9 May, 7.45-10.00am

Orton Hall Hotel, Peterborough

Cost: £25.00 (plus VAT) Chamber members, £35.00 (plus VAT) non-Chamber members

SAFARI NETWORKING LUNCH

Thursday 25 May, 7.45-10.00am

Novotel Cambridge North

Cost: £25.00 (plus VAT) Chamber members, £35.00 (plus VAT) non-Chamber members

Limited stands remaining

Stand price: £150.00 (plus VAT) Chamber members, £200.00 (plus VAT) non-Chamber members.

To book a stand please email Sadie at s.parr@cambscci.co.uk

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Chamber members can register for events via the Chamber website www.cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk or please contact email events@cambscci.co.uk

British Chambers of Commerce Global Annual Conference 2023

Wednesday 17 May

QEII Centre, London

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is delighted to present their Global Annual Conference 2023.

The full day conference will be an opportunity for business leaders from across the UK, and the globe, to come together to discuss the opportunities for growth to help local communities thrive.

Throughout the day, delegates will hear from key senior politicians and other notable public-figures about their plans for growth. The conference will be centred around four key breakout sessions for thought-provoking discussion amongst peers across the Chamber Network.

The four sessions are:

• Skills

• Green Innovation

• Growth / Local Thriving Communities

• Trade.

Away from the sessions, the Networking Zone is an opportunity for delegates to meet existing and new contacts; and the exhibition stands will see the best of British business, and the Chamber Network, from across the UK and around the world showcasing their work.

Cost: £125.00 (plus VAT) Chamber members, £250.00 (plus VAT) non-Chamber members

Tickets can be purchased from the BCC website at www.britishchambers.org.uk/page/home-page/events/global-annualconference-2023

CONSTRUCTION & PROPERTY NETWORK

Network with other construction and property-related companies at these specialist informal events taking place across the county.

CONSTRUCTION & PROPERTY NETWORKING LUNCH

Friday 21 April, 12.00-2.00pm

Peterborough United Football Club

Our guest speaker is Mark Hedley, Relationship Director at Shawbrook Bank

Cost: £15.00 (plus VAT) Chamber members, £22.50 (plus VAT) non-Chamber members

Sponsored by Shawbrook Bank

CONSTRUCTION & PROPERTY NETWORKING BREAKFAST

Friday 19 May, 8.00-10.00am

Brampton Park Golf Club, Huntingdon

Our guest speaker is Toni Hunter, Partner at George Hay

Cost: £15.00 (plus VAT) Chamber members, £22.50 (plus VAT) non-Chamber members

Sponsored by George Hay

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