Chamber News

CHAMBER NAMED AMONGST 41 ORGANISATIONS TO ACHIEVE EMPLOYER RECOGNITION SCHEME SILVER AWARD

The Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) award recognises companies for their support to the Armed Forces community, including Reservists, veterans, spouses, Cadet Forces, adult volunteers and cadets. Silver award holders must demonstrate a number of positive measures and policies in their organisations, which actively support members of the Armed Forces community. Dawn Hardman, Director of HR at the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, said: “We’re delighted that our organisation has been successful in its application and has now been announced as achieving the Armed Forces Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver Award. This award is a great achievement for us and is important as part of our HR strategy as we now have policies in place to ensure that ex-members of the armed forces who are employed by us are treated fairly and their contribution is recognised.” The ERS was launched to recognise and reward employers who support Defence and inspire others to do the same. To find out more about the ERS visit here: www.wmrfca.org/

employers/employer-recognitionscheme.

MAKEOVER FOR WORCESTER STREETS AS CHAMBER ELEPHANT AMONG 66 STUNNING SCULPTURES

July saw the beginning of St Richard’s Wild in Art trail, Worcester’s Big Parade, which sees a perfectly sculptured parade, of elephants, both big and small, situated through the streets and open spaces bringing together the community until Sunday 5 September. After this, there will be the chance to say a final ‘goodbye’ at a Farewell Event, before each elephant is auctioned to raise funds for St Richard’s Hospice. Each sculpture is sponsored by a business or individual and designed by an artist of their choosing. Among the sponsors is the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, who have sponsored “Leave the Herd Behind” located in Broad Street outside of Crowngate Shopping Centre. The beautifully designed elephant is based on the landscape along the River Severn and some of the wildlife that live there and encourages us to step away from the busier parts of the city to get closer to nature and looking out for the local wildlife that adorns the city’s waterways. Sharon Smith, Chief Executive of the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, said: “We are delighted to be involved with the project and thank St Richard’s for bringing the community together and bringing life and energy to the streets of Worcester. Seeing all of the sculptures occupy the city streets and the buzz that they have brought to the local community bringing everyone together is fantastic.

HOW IS YOUR BUSINESS RECOVERING? CHAMBER ECONOMIC SURVEY LOOKING FOR YOUR BUSINESS CONCERNS

The data collected from the Quarterly Economic Survey helps to shape government policy and highlight some of the challenges businesses continue to face while they reopen and trade following the re-opening of the economy in the past few months. The subsequent report will be used by HM Treasury, the Bank of England and the Office for Budgetary Responsibility to influence policy making. For those who take part in the survey, not only will you get access to the report when data collection has finished but by taking part your business will be entered into a prize draw with a chance to win 2 tickets for a Morgan Motor Company Factory Tour. The report will provide a snapshot of how well businesses are regaining confidence and the levels of profit they have managed to recuperate over the past 3 months. Following the easing of restrictions, UK firms are starting to recover from the economic shock from Covid-19 with improved sales within key industries such as Manufacturing and Services sector leading the economic recovery. The Chamber wants to know how the last three months has impacted your investment plans, sales, orders, and recruitment over the last quarter. To take part in this quarter’s survey visit here www.surveymonkey.com/r/CWXLYDB.