Chair’s Report

MIKE FORRESTER: CHAIR’S REPORT

Mike Forrester, Chair

I would like to open my report by asking you all to take the time to look through the latest Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce Business Manifesto. It gives an excellent snapshot as to what the Chamber has been doing to support Members and highlights the great things happening in the two counties.

I managed to meet some of our members recently, including Peter Appleton from ISO Quality Services Limited and heard all about their plans for securing more space at their current offices. I also caught up with Judith Ford, CEO at Night Stop. It is such an inspirational organisation, providing emergency and secure accommodation for young people who have become homeless, often at short notice. Please take a look at the website to see the range of services they provide for young people and their families:

www.wyreforestnightstop.org.uk

On the same day I made it to the leaving event for Alison Avery from the Department of International Trade, who many of you will know. I have personally worked with Alison and she is a very skilled operator in the field of international trade. She supported my own business, which became a multi-million pound exporter and won a Queen’s Award. It was the British Chambers of Commerce Annual Global Conference at the end of June with the theme:-

PEOPLE - Developing talent now and for the future.

PLANET - Boosting a green global economy.

PROGRESS - Seizing new opportunities. The Board joined colleagues from the West Midlands Chambers for a networking event the night before the conference. Throughout the day, we heard from The Right Honourable Rishi Sunak MP Chancellor and The Right Honourable Rachel Reeves MP, the Shadow Chancellor, among other very notable business leaders. However, I was disappointed to miss the Chamber Awards this year but a long standing, three times rearranged, family holiday could not be moved - I was told. I heard great reports and congratulations to all the finalists and winners.

I was delighted to meet Andrew Bailey, Governor of the Bank of England, for a private breakfast with Patron Members at Sixways Stadium. There were insightful comments from Andrew on the causes of the global supply chain crisis, inflation, and labour shortages. Suffice to say, energy costs and inflation may not have peaked yet. Several attendees also gave their updates and, to be honest, there were not many positives. I think we are all in for a challenging year of cost pressures, labour costs and availability, and a potential economic downturn.

Please contact me directly if you think I can help you and your business:

www.linkedin.com/in/mike-forrester.

Until next time, Mike.