Latest updates and stories from Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce and its Members

The Bedford College Group has taken part in a pioneering partnership with STEMpower Ethiopia to share engineering skills in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The countdown to a superb event for businesses across Bedfordshire to reach, engage and connect continues… Your Business Expo Bedford is coming to town in November.

“Rethink the skies” – this is what Bedford-based Hybrid Air Vehicles vows to do with its innovative multi-function aircraft, Airlander. They plan a future with no jets, no pistons, no kerosene, no exhaust pollution. And not a conventional wing in sight!

There’s a saying in business: bad cash flow sinks more companies than weak order books - and it’s as true today as ever.

Cash flow supports everything from everyday operations, to investment in equipment and technology, to shareholder dividends and loan repayments. Quite simply, without adequate cash flow, your business can’t function.

Bedfordshire based accountancy firm, Foxley Kingham, supports their chosen charity partner of the year, Luton-based NOAH Enterprise. They hope this collaboration will make a significant impact on the charity and its ongoing efforts with communities across Bedfordshire.  

The work of Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce at the top table of Government, as an accredited member of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), is unrelenting – and a privilege to be a part of.

As you may be aware, the Government’s Skills for Jobs White Paper set out an ambitious employer-led approach aimed at making Further Education (FE) provision more responsive to local skills needs and ultimately local economic needs.  

Wyboston Lakes Resort has expanded its team by appointing Lydia Tickner to the newly created role of Head of Meetings & Events.

As the Head of Meetings & Events at Wyboston Lakes Resort, Lydia will take the lead in driving the team forward, ensuring revenue targets are exceeded, the event diary is filled with great experiences, and clients receive unparalleled service.

Paul Kamlesh’s business Copybox enables offices, schools, and other workplaces in and around Bedfordshire to reliably do what they couldn’t survive without: printing, scanning, and photocopying.

Mains voltage control specialist, Sinalda UK offers voltage stabilisation and power conditioning systems. Tried, tested, and proven in countries around the world for over 30 years, the company’s products are deployed in some of the harshest environments on the planet. We take a look at the family-run company in more depth with director, Daniel Dover.

Lobbying and policy are possibly not the most exciting or glamorous elements of doing business, but in the background, they’re constantly working to influence decisions, sway opinion, and articulate your business’s hopes, fears, and interests, at local, regional, and national level.

Staff at CHUMS CIC were absolutely over the moon to receive the awesome Silver Winners title for Community Business of the Year at the SME Bedfordshire Business Awards 2023!  

An organisation which has supported thousands of businesses has been praised in an independent report commissioned by the Government for its positive contribution to the development of local economies.

Get home safely – this is the mantra that drives everything HR, health and safety, and wellbeing specialist THSP does.

Dealing mainly with construction industry customers, and the inevitably hazardous environments in that sector, the company understands the importance of compliance “across the piece”- as per SSIP (Safety Systems in Procurement) accreditation for example – in ensuring that people are put first.

The British Chambers of Commerce has called for Government to focus on boosting services, advanced manufacturing, green and digital trade if it wants to hit its £1tn trade target.

Bedford-based Springfield Business Supplies is celebrating having clocked up a quarter century providing business products to companies throughout the region.

Frances and Jason Stephen bought the company in 1997 and have grown the business to become a leading provider of stationery and office interiors in the Midlands.

GOLD WINNER - BUSINESS OF THE YEAR OVER 50+ EMPLOYEES

BRONZE WINNER – APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR – TOM HALL

OVERALL WINNER

Staff retention is a hot topic for today’s businesses – and the figures prove the point. On average, employee turnover rates in the UK have increased by 7.7% since 2019, and are estimated to increase even more in 2023, with a total predicted turnover rate of 35.6%.

Wyboston Lakes Resort has created an exciting and very different new meeting and events space; outdoors beside a lake.

Sandpiper Bay, which has seating for up to 200 people, is ideal for meetings, team building events or simply socialising with colleagues in a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere.

Pravin Sood, Chairman and owner of Jaltek Systems Ltd, a UK based electronics design and manufacturing company, reflects on the last 25 years of his ownership.
 
Following one of their most successful years, we interviewed Pravin to gain some insights into his remarkable stewardship.

Aena, the majority shareholder of London Luton Airport Operations Limited (LLA), is inviting applications for the second round of its Aena Ventures innovation programme.  The programme provides funding for start-ups looking to develop innovative solutions in five key areas:

We are delighted to announce that THSP were Gold winners at the SME Luton & Bedfordshire Business Awards on Thursday 29th June 2023.

This year, THSP were nominated finalists for three awards, while also being Gold sponsors for the event. Having won the Silver award in the Business Innovation category last year, we went one step further this year and received first prize.

Bedford Radio is celebrating following their Silver Award win for Business Innovation at the SME Bedfordshire awards for their Bedford Business Expo. The Expo, held at King’s House, was the first one in Bedford in many years and, being organised by the local radio station, was aimed to showcase businesses who want to do business locally. Around 50 businesses, organisations, and local charities exhibited to more than 250 attendees.

Award winning conference, training and leisure venue Wyboston Lakes Resort has won another prestigious award, this time for an innovative sustainability initiative. 

The resort won the Sustainability Award at the coveted Conference & Events Awards.  

We are delighted to announce that THSP were Gold winners at the SME  Bedfordshire Business Awards on Thursday 29th June 2023.

This year, THSP were nominated finalists for three awards, while also being Gold sponsors for the event. Having won the Silver award in the Business Innovation category last year, we went one step further this year and received first prize.

Woods Hardwick won Employer of the Year at the Bedfordshire SME Business Awards at the Auction House in Luton.

The independent architecture, engineering, planning and surveying practice has operated from Bedford since starting in 1987 and took home the Gold Award for how it has worked with its 80+ staff to provide the best employee experience and company culture.

Greystone Solicitors were crowned Gold Winners for Luton Business of the Year, and their Director Bilal Farooq, was awarded Bronze Winner in the Business Person of Year Category at the SME Bedfordshire Business Awards 2023, which took place on Thursday, 29th June 2023 at The Auction House.

For Joe Selmes, Headteacher of Bedfordshire special needs school Weatherfield Academy, it’s all about the “I can” – instilling in his pupils the belief that, done their way, achievement, progress, and excellence are well within their reach.

Small businesses are stronger when they’re part of something bigger, but also when they’re part of something local. And with membership of the Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce, you get the best of both worlds, as you’re also connected to the nationwide force for business that is the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).

The Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Sue Lousada, is a seasoned businesswoman with a scientific background and a hands-on approach to getting things done. She’s also a true ambassador for business in the county, determined to use her post to “shine a light on the good that is in Bedfordshire.”