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

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.”

Focus on helping clients understand and mitigate the impact of their events


Wyboston Lakes Resort is partnering with event:decision to heighten sustainable processes, metrics and best practices at live and hybrid events held at the Resort.

As a member of Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce, your voice, input, and influence don’t stop at the county’s borders. As part of the wider British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), we represent your interests to policymakers, politicians, industry peers, and the media, at a national level.

Reacting to the new UK-Australia and UK-New Zealand trade deals which entered into effect at midnight, BCC Head of Trade, William Bain, said: 
 
“A new era of international trade will begin today as the first trade agreements agreed by the United Kingdom since it left the European Union come into force.  

Jaltek, a leading provider of Electronic Design and Manufacturing Solutions for over 35 years announces the arrival of a new Chief Financial Officer, Simon Wallington.  

Award winning conference, training and leisure venue Wyboston Lakes Resort has again been recognised as one of the best conference venues in the country, also as among the most sustainable.

Woods Hardwick Planning have this week been shortlisted for the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Awards for Planning Excellence 2023. 

The team is up for Small Planning Consultancy of the Year alongside DAC Planning, Lawson Planning Partnership Ltd and Sphere25 in the East of England category.

Deroiste Natural Beauty, a Bedfordshire-based business, has received a boost from Retail Entrepreneur Theo Paphitis. Esther Roche, Founder of Deroiste Natural Beauty, tweeted Theo about her business during ‘Small Business Sunday’ (SBS).

Local businesses invited to sponsor a sculpture

Keech Hospice Care’s Wild in Art trail will be back for 2024. The last trail in 2021, which featured 60 brightly-coloured elephants, raised over £230k for the much-loved local charity.

One of Luton’s longest established family-owned group of businesses, Neville Trust, which comprises of Neville Funerals, Neville Special Projects and Neville Joinery, has successfully installed and registered its first publicly available automated external defibrillator (AED), at its premises on Marsh Road, Luton.

An expanding research company has agreed deals on two office suites at a leading technology park in the heart of the Oxford Cambridge Arc, commercial property consultants Kirkby Diamond announced today.

SEMLEP High Growth Business Adviser Sandra Edwards has more than 18 years’ marketing experience in a variety of industries, working with B2B and B2C organisations.

It’s a double celebration for the King on 6 May, not only because the world will watch his Coronation at Westminster Abbey, but because it’s the day the entries open for his (recently renamed) King’s Awards for Enterprise 2024 – and we want to do everything we can to support a strong showing from our county and our members.