Message From President & Chair 10

A message from our Chair

It’s hard to believe that already we are approaching Christmas and the end of yet another year that has been full of disruption and difficulty. However, the Chamber Business Awards last month was such an inspirational event and a real cause for celebration as we saw in our finalists, businesses who have not just survived the last 20 months (and longer!) but have used the changes to reinvent themselves. Organisations haven’t stayed still, but have moved forward, taking the opportunity to rethink strategy, rebuild the business and adapt to the world that we now live in.

So too, lockdown gave the Chamber cause to rethink and like many others we began to review how we could really make a difference within the business community and beyond. We knew the world would never be the same again – working habits have changed, priorities have shifted, supply chains have been threatened and there are skills shortages across the board. The Chamber needs to be an organisation that doesn’t just respond to these changes but supports businesses in driving change. We need to be sure that we are relevant and fit for purpose, offering businesses in this new era what they need.

Many of you have responded to our survey which was designed to inform our strategy by exploring what you want from the Chamber, and for that we are grateful. As a result, you will see in this edition of the magazine, the steps that we have taken to deliver the value and support that you as an individual organisation have identified.

You will read about the major launch of our new membership packages, designed to give you exactly what is right for your business so that you receive the Chamber benefits that meet your needs and will support your business. You will also notice that we are putting in place a new portal and a system that supports your membership and facilitates communication with us and other members as well as keeping you informed of important developments, locally and nationally.

"We are also relaunching the Chamber Brand. Clearly this means nothing if it is not supported by a clear vision that aims to deliver value to our members. The Chamber strives to be an essential element of the business community, where membership opens up not just opportunities, but offers the support that will help businesses to realise these opportunities."

As we prepare to welcome in the New Year, we are very excited to also welcome what is a new era for the region: a Chamber that is forward thinking, vibrant and relevant to the workplace of the future; a Town Board that drives change in Crewe; and where HS2 becomes a reality, bringing new skills and opportunities for the region. There is much to be hopeful for in 2022.

Finally, may Christmas this year remind us of the joys of celebrating and sharing with friends and family.

Dr Diane Wright PhD MA BA (Hons) Chair of the Chamber South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry

OLD BRAND IDENTITY

NEW LOOK 2021

THANK YOU

Over the past two years, the South Cheshire Chamber has reached out to you, our local business community, to discover how we can become a better Chamber. You have spoken, we have listened.

You wanted your Chamber to reflect the dynamic businesses it represents. So we have refreshed our brand with a vibrant redesign, including cohesive subbrands enabling you to easily recognise our products and services.

Introducing the new South Cheshire Chamber Brand:

The past eighteen months has allowed us to rethink what a Chamber of Commerce is, what our role is, and how we can best represent our businesses. Thanks to your feedback, we believe that South Cheshire can be at the forefront of business innovation. We have a wealth of opportunities coming our way in the future, and with such a collective knowledge throughout the diverse cross-section of businesses within our membership, we can ensure these opportunities are delivered with the maximum benefit to our business community.

We are proud to have you as our Members, just as you are proud to call yourselves Members of the Chamber. To recognise this, we have introduced the following badges for you to display:

SOUTH CHESHIRE CHAMBER MEMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY SOUTH CHESHIRE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY PREMIUM MEMBER

PATRO N

Throughout our surveys you asked for an easier online experience. We are currently working hard on a new online portal. The new portal will have cleaner navigation, along with extra functionality and features. News of this exciting new development will be sent out soon, but for now, please visit www.sccci.co.uk

Most of all, you wanted to be in control of your Chamber Membership. To this end, we are proud to introduce the new way to access the Chamber – our Membership packages. Now you can choose a package to best suit your business needs.

Essential membership

Vital solutions for your business Tailor-made for developing businesses Optimised for established businesses

Essential features:

+ Connect with the largest business community in South Cheshire + Raise your online profile through increased SEO + Promote your business through the Chamber channels + Access to Chamber online events + Trusted, local business information + Access to Chamber HR & Legal helpline and documentation

signature membership

All Essential features plus:

+ Access to 40+ networking events + Access to 35+ informative events + Train your young team through our

Chamber Young Member Network + Talk to like-minded businesses in our Chamber Peer group + Key local and national updates + Information on business support programs + Access to Chamber Business

Health Insurance + International Trade Information and guidance + Discounted export docs

executive membership

All Signature features plus:

+ One to One annual review with key Account Manager + Access to Executive Masterclass

Workshops + Local regeneration updates (Business Council) + Shape your future workforce with free places to our Chamber Young

Member Network + Government updates and key legislation + Access to Chamber Primary

Health Plan

£15 / Month £35 / Month £80 / Month

If your business is under 3 years why not add our Start-up Package for an additional £15 per month?

Features include: Specialised business start-up workshops, access to a chamber business advisor, chamber events & flexible work spaces.

All prices inclusive of VAT, minimum sign-up term, 12 months. Information subject to change. Check www.sccci.co.uk for updates.

For those businesses who can’t make it to our networking events but still want the benefits of Chamber Membership, the Essentials package is for you. We have our Signature package for those growing businesses within our community, and Executive membership for established businesses looking for their next challenge. Also, if your business is under three years old, you can add our Start-Up package for an additional £15 a month which gives you access to specialized business start-up workshops and more.

Premium Membership is also available, to set up a meeting for more information, contact jon.barnes@sccci.co.uk

You will also notice, that along with the new packages, South Cheshire Chamber will be delivering a range of new products and services to our Members.

Earlier this year we introduced Chamber HR, Chamber H&S, Chamber Legal, and Chamber Tax, to help you get primary advice before seeking local professionals. In the upcoming months we will be bringing you Business Health Insurance, Employee Health Plan, Foreign Exchange, and AA Roadside Assistance, plus more to be announced.

Thank you to all of those who we consulted with, and who completed our various surveys. This is your Chamber of Commerce and we could not have introduced these changes without your feedback.

More details of the Membership Packages will be filtered through our socials in the coming months along with guidance on how our current Membership can choose a package to best suit their needs.

_ The Chamber Team are always on hand to help. If you have any queries relating to Membership please contact Angela at angela. wilkinson@sccci.co.uk, and to find out more about Premium Membership, contact Jon at jon.barnes@sccci.co.uk

Meet the board

The South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) sits at the heart of the local business community, providing growth opportunities and support.

A ‘not for profit’ company limited by Guarantee, we are proud to operate across the geographic area of South Cheshire. We have a diverse range of organisations creating a dynamic and forward thinking business community.

We are an independent voice of business, representing and promoting the interests of the local

business community and facilitating the growth and development of member businesses. We lobby local, regional, and national government on the issues that matter to you, helping to create an environment that will allow the private sector to prosper. Selected as one of 53 accredited Chambers which make up the British Chamber of Commerce Network, our opinions are regularly sought by policymakers and parliamentarians. We have been helping to shape the UK’s business agenda for more than 150 years.

The South Cheshire Chamber Executive Board, consisting of volunteer representatives from member businesses, guides the strategy and direction of the Chamber.

Dr Dianne Wright – Chair

Diane is the Chair of South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry and is Vice Chair of Weaver Academy Trust. Following a career spanning 20 years in senior marketing roles in the private sector, Diane moved into Higher Education and was Associate Dean for External Engagement and Head of the Business and Management Department at the Crewe Campus of Manchester Metropolitan University. She then moved to the Manchester Campus where she became Head of International at the Faculty of Business and Law, responsible for making global connections and developing overseas partnerships. She ran her own business for seven years, which influenced her decision to complete a PhD in Female Entrepreneurship. She now offers consultancy services to education institutions and is an independent assessor for the Chartered Management Institute.