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

As we head into November, Dr. Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) gave his reaction to the Autumn budget:

Fundraising appeal launches to support vulnerable people in Bedfordshire this winter, it shouldn’t be a choice between eating or heating.

Bedfordshire and Luton Community Foundation (BLCF) are an independent registered charity, providing support to local community groups and charities, many of whom are working with some of the county’s most vulnerable and in need. 

Giving his initial reaction to the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

• How confident are you in your business networking and your strategy?
• Are you unsure if your monthly minute is having the right impact?
• Are you getting the right contacts through your networking efforts?
• In fact, are you getting ANY contacts?

• BCC convenes a meeting with DEXEU Secretary Dominic Raab and seven Northern European Chambers of Commerce

• The group collectively represents regions and nations that cover 70% of UK-EU trade – around £344bn in 2016

Entrepreneurship is indeed a rewarding path. But it isn’t without its risks.

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.