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

It may well have seemed the stuff of science fiction when we were growing up, but increasingly we are exposed to robotic technology, machine learning or artificial intelligence (AI) in some form or another in our work and personal lives.

Cranfield University marked the official start of construction of the new £67m Digital Aviation Research and Technology Centre (DARTeC) to be built at the Cranfield campus, with a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday 15 March.

A Meet the Buyer event is an unmissable opportunity for your business. Our most recent event, held on the 27th February at Putterridge Bury in Luton is a testament to that statement. 

Luton based chartered accountants, Foxley Kingham, has announced that it has raised £56,123 for local charities over the last year, to mark the 50th Anniversary of the company. The company set itself the challenge of raising £50,000 in February 2018, for 17 local charities chosen by staff and clients.

Building your B2B network takes commitment and persistence, but success comes from the quality of your network over the quantity of contacts.

The uncertainty and frustration gripping the UK right now are palpable.

And as further ambiguity weaves its way through Brexit proceedings and negotiations, the majority of us are still unaware of how to prepare, or provide solutions and definitive advice to our workforces and peers.

What did and did not happen in 2018 and what changes are ahead in the world of planning and development in 2019?

EFM offers practical advice and recommends steps which your company can take to improve your businesses cashflow.

Neville Funeral Service, one of the regions longest established businesses, welcomed over 200 people to a rather special commemorative tree-planting event at the Forest of Marston Vale in Bedfordshire on 24th February.

Bitten the bullet and finally decided to go self-employed?

While we've previously written about how to approach this from a tax perspective, what about building your brand? How about promoting and selling yourself? Networking and identifying potentials customers?

Customs Declaration Service

Q1: I have received an alert from HMRC advising me to prepare for the new Customs Declaration Service (CDS).  I currently export to countries outside the EU, can you tell me more about CDS and tell me when this new service will affect my exports?

MHA MacIntyre Hudson and Lloyds Bank Plc have now launched the latest Manufacturing Survey Report for 2019. The survey details that overall UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) manufacturers remain optimistic and confident about future growth, 

The latest phase of the £3m investment in The Woodlands Event Centre, that forms part of Wyboston Lakes Resort’s conference and events facilities, is complete - and the transformation is impressive, with creative design combined with flexibility and technology everywhere.

Your recruitment process could be hampering your business' progression in more ways than one. Of course, as we all know, it's a tough process to get it right. You can't always predict how candidates will perform once they're past the interview stage. And with new roles coming into fruition and widening the skills gap, talent can be thin on the ground.

The communities of Wixams and Wilstead had a fabulous day, on Sunday 10th February, helping to create a new woodland, with the Forest of Marston Vale charity. Despite the wet weather on the day, 350 people joined the Charity and its team of volunteers to plant 2500 trees on the site on Duck End Lane, Wilstead.

Local chartered accountants, George Hay, have commenced twelve months of 80-themed activities to mark 80 years since their Biggleswade office was first established, with a donation to Bedfordshire-based charity – The King’s Arms Project.