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

If you are a small to medium business, there’s around a 1 in 2 chance you will experience a cybersecurity breach at some point. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t take measures to reduce that chance with proper security enhancements and education.

On March 29, 2019, a newly negotiated relationship between the EU and the UK will begin as the Brexit divorce is finalised.

Cranfield School of Management has partnered with Metro Bank to launch an MSc in Retail and Digital Banking.

Attempted recruitment in services firms at lowest for 25 years

The British Chambers of Commerce’s quarterly economic survey – the UK’s largest private sector survey of business sentiment, and a lead indicator of UK GDP growth - shows little to be cheerful about as growth flatlines and business confidence weakens.

It’s been said that uncertainty and change are, ironically, two of the only things that are certain in business. And it takes a particular type of person to thrive in such a volatile environment.

Foxley Kingham has announced that over £12,000 has been raised for local charities at its recent Anniversary Foundation Gala Dinner at newly refurbished Offley Place Country House Hotel. 

It’s understandable that the majority of the population associates job interviews with crippling nerves and feelings of fear and dread.

On 12th September the Government presented the Agriculture Bill to Parliament, together with announcements about the future of the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS). 

We live and work in one of the most innovative, fastest growing places in the country.

Located at the centre, between the global brands of Oxford and Cambridge, London and Birmingham, our area is proudly and firmly the Commercialisation Core of the Growth Corridor. 

Bedford i-Kan, a destination of choice for entrepreneurs and businesses in Bedford, celebrated its 10 year birthday this September. 

Despite the digitally dominated era we find ourselves in, networking opportunities are available in abundance.

It seems there is something to suit every personality type: informal coffee mornings, black tie evenings, seminars and workshops, formal business lunches, presentation and awards evenings, and even speed-networking.

Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce is working in collaboration with Skills4Stem to provide the Level 4 Associate Project Management Higher Apprenticeship Programme for Levy paying members.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has downgraded its growth expectations for the UK economy, forecasting GDP growth for 2018 at just 1.1% (down from 1.3%). 

Often, people are mistaken in thinking that all it takes is a great idea, some raw intelligence and an entrepreneurial mindset to master business success.

The Chamber of Commerce has been in existence for over 100 years. And in that time it has used its power and resources to support, enable and elevate businesses around the globe. But today, the Chamber of Commerce conjures up very different meanings for different people.

Environmental advocacy in business surprisingly still divides opinions.

While many are avid proponents of more environmentally responsible business practice, others are still very much in favour of the ‘volume = profit’ business model. 

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has recently reported that almost 30% of businesses have seen an increase in the number of employees taking time off for mental health reasons, according to a survey conducted by both the BCC and Aviva, the UK’s largest insurer.  

Commenting on the publication of the first tranche of UK Government technical notices aimed at giving businesses and consumers advice on the implications of a 'no deal' exit from the European Union, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

Ian Luckett of Innovate to Success shares with us the secrets to creating a profitable, successful and sustainable business just by deliberately planning out what you do each day.

Accountant, Keith Middleton, reached a significant milestone in his career on 19 August as he celebrated 50 years’ service with George Hay Chartered Accountants.

Keith joined George Hay in August 1968 and was a partner in the firm from 1997-2017. 

Row of typical English terraced houses in West Hampstead, London.

An extension of the mandatory Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licensing will come in to effect from 1st October 2018, 

The new Bedford i-Hub on Cauldwell Street is set to open in October creating a new business incubator centre in the middle of our county town.

Following investment by Bedford Borough Council, the i-Hub is bringing a 3000 sq.ft Georgian building 

By definition, lobbying is “The act of attempting to influence business and government leaders to create legislation or conduct an activity that will help a particular organisation.”

Commenting on the first estimate of GDP for Q2 2018, published today by the ONS, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said

Commenting on last quarter’s results of the British Chamber of Commerce (BCC) Quarterly Economic Survey, Adam Marshall, Director General of the BCC, said:

“The availability of skilled staff remains the biggest issue that firms face. 

Commenting ahead of the publication of technical notices from the government relating to the possibility of ‘no deal’ in the Brexit negotiations, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

Hear from Emma, Julie and Meena, Gary, Wayne and Chris talking about how they've secured investment in their businesses through the expertise of local projects part-funded through European funding.