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

The Aircraft Research Association (ARA), based on the outskirts of Bedford, is one of the world’s leading providers of aerodynamic design and analysis services to the worldwide aerospace industry.

Risk Dashboard is a risk and case management platform designed to manage business risks and deliver growth.

• AA’s business services team urges fleet managers and rental companies to refresh drivers on requirements for driving in Europe this summer

The latest Quarterly Recruitment Outlook from the British Chambers of Commerce, in partnership with Totaljobs, finds that recruitment intentions strengthened in the second quarter of 2019, while difficulties finding suitable staff eased, but remain high by historic standards.

The world's biggest and most successful businesses didn't make it to where they are now without a few rough patches. If anything is guaranteed in the business world, it's that challenging times lie ahead.

Today the British Chambers of Commerce – which represents 75,000 firms of all sizes and sectors, employing 6 million people – has written to incoming Prime Minister Boris Johnson setting out 15 urgent, immediate steps that the PM must address on arrival in Downing Street to boost business confidence and stimulate the UK economy.

Commenting on the announcement that Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP has won the Conservative leadership contest and will be the next Prime Minister, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

The Millennium Country Park in the Forest of Marston Vale has been recognised by the Green Flag Award Scheme as one of the very best in the world, for the 13th time in a row.

Centrality is a local company based in Meppershall, Bedfordshire that provides IT and technology services to a broad range of clients and businesses across the country. 

Identifying the best time to start the process of hiring a financial controller is a key decision requiring much thought. Before going into more detail, reflect on your business journey to date.

It used to be that a CEO would reach the top spot after years of having worked their way steadily up the corporate ladder. People would stay in one organisation for their entire career, and their experience and dedication to the business would earn them that coveted top spot.

There are only a handful of grants left for SMEs to benefit from support with the design, prototyping and testing of a new product, service or process or technical validation of a technology. 

With one in four women and one in six men suffering from domestic abuse in their lifetime, the human cost is immeasurable, and the financial cost to employers is high. 

Figures from the Home Office show that domestic abuse costs UK businesses almost £2bn(1) each year due to absences, lost wages, sick pay and a drop in productivity.

Commenting on the inflation statistics for June 2019, published today by the Office for National Statistics, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

“Inflation held steady in June, as the upward pressures from clothing and food were offset by weaker outturns in several price categories

Airbus in the UK has put its backing behind a new space research group at Cranfield University covering Advanced Space Mission Concepts (ASMiC).

Looking at concepts and technologies likely to become feasible in 5-10 years,

So you’ve identified a gap in the market. You’ve researched, planned and invested in developing the best product possible, and now you’re excited to bring it to market. 

To mark the announcement that The Forest of Marston Vale has been accredited as part of The Queen's Commonwealth Canopy, HRH The Princess Royal will be visiting the Forest Centre & Millennium Country Park in July to dedicate the Forest into the project.

Acas has been named the best public sector employer by the Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion (enei).

The workplace expert also won the Pay Gap award and a highly recommended award in the Disability Confident sector at the event hosted by the Law Society on 2 July.

Business mentors & strategy coaches are fast becoming an integral element for start-ups and SME’s, but what are the advantages of hiring one?

In a bid to grow our Business Ambassador Programme, we’ve been out in the Chamber community identifying members who fit the bill. 

• Cranfield offers new aviation scholarship for women, funded by the International Aviation Women’s Association (IAWA)
• Cranfield is the first UK university to have been granted the $5,000 scholarship
• IAWA recently celebrated its 30-year anniversary 

The Forest Centre & Millennium Country Park in Marston Moretaine has received the vital funding it needs to build a Forest Shelter, for visiting schools and other groups, like brownies and cubs.

The world of residential lettings is ever changing with new rules and regulations being introduced all the time. It can be quite confusing so to help, Land and Property Professionals, Robinson & Hall have summarised all changes

Singer songwriter Mel C is on her way to Luton – set to help Ryebridge Construction raise much needed funds for local charity Age Concern Luton.
Former Olympian and Sports Scientist Greg Whyte, OBE, is the charity’s patron and is helping Ryebridge Director Daniel Coyle organise a sports-themed black-tie birthday party this September.

Active Luton has published its Impact Report for 2018/19 highlighting the many ways in which it has engaged with Luton residents of all ages and abilities to get them active and improve their health, wellbeing and access to opportunities.

The British Chambers of Commerce’s Quarterly Economic Survey – the largest private sector survey of business sentiment and a leading indicator of UK GDP growth, closely watched by policymakers including the Bank of England – finds that underlying economic conditions remained stagnant in the second quarter of 2019.

EFM has recently launched a new service "Finance Director on Demand" designed as a free helpline for SMEs providing practical guidance and support with business financial matters.

The ever-changing world of planning means that Land and Property Professionals, Robinson & Hall, always have plenty of updates to share with you. We have highlighted some of the latest changes below:

New research by the British Chambers of Commerce, in partnership with global job site Indeed, reveals the increasing time it’s taking businesses to recruit the skills they need, emphasising the importance of removing blockers in the training system to develop a pipeline of talent.

The number of women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) has been disproportionately low for as long as records detail. Women make up just 12% of engineers and 26% of computing professionals.