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

•    Bus operator nominated for UK Bus Awards. 
•    News comes on the back of second awards victory. 
•    Wider group receives 46 individual nominations.

Future support for businesses and economic prosperity across the region has been assured this week following a recent agreement by six councils.

 
•       Safety technology wins first category of the night.
•       Prestigious awards presented by Jeremy Vine in their 20th year.
•       Stagecoach East finalists in two further categories.
 
Stagecoach East has been announced as a winner at the highly prestigious National Transport Awards 2023.

Wyboston Lakes Resort is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Bedford Prison, aiming to reintegrate prison leavers into the workplace and society at large.

Autumn is upon us and for many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the UK, this time of year is turning out to be distinctly growth-focused – more spring than autumn, you might say!

In fact, according to recent research from business finance provider Novuna, 7 in 10 UK small firms are making growth plans, and in some sectors growth planning in the SME space has hit a three-year high.

Gina goes upwards

Well-known in Beds, Northants and MK for representing The Bedford College Group (TBCG) with employers, Gina Bubbins now has a new role within the region’s number one apprenticeships and training organisation.

At Leighton Buzzard-based Jam Crackers, the team understands that IT is a critical business tool, and that businesses shouldn’t have to worry about how it works – just that it does.

In fact, the business was named – by CEO Richard Latimer’s brother and co-founder – with exactly this objective in mind: “If your IT’s in a jam, we’ll crack it.”

Here at the Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce, we know that cash flow is one of the top concerns for our members.  With late customer payments, seasonal slowdowns, weak invoicing and collection processes, it is a common challenge that has a significant impact on a business.

The Bedford College Group has taken part in a pioneering partnership with STEMpower Ethiopia to share engineering skills in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The countdown to a superb event for businesses across Bedfordshire to reach, engage and connect continues… Your Business Expo Bedford is coming to town in November.

“Rethink the skies” – this is what Bedford-based Hybrid Air Vehicles vows to do with its innovative multi-function aircraft, Airlander. They plan a future with no jets, no pistons, no kerosene, no exhaust pollution. And not a conventional wing in sight!

There’s a saying in business: bad cash flow sinks more companies than weak order books - and it’s as true today as ever.

Cash flow supports everything from everyday operations, to investment in equipment and technology, to shareholder dividends and loan repayments. Quite simply, without adequate cash flow, your business can’t function.

Bedfordshire based accountancy firm, Foxley Kingham, supports their chosen charity partner of the year, Luton-based NOAH Enterprise. They hope this collaboration will make a significant impact on the charity and its ongoing efforts with communities across Bedfordshire.  

The work of Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce at the top table of Government, as an accredited member of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), is unrelenting – and a privilege to be a part of.

As you may be aware, the Government’s Skills for Jobs White Paper set out an ambitious employer-led approach aimed at making Further Education (FE) provision more responsive to local skills needs and ultimately local economic needs.  

Wyboston Lakes Resort has expanded its team by appointing Lydia Tickner to the newly created role of Head of Meetings & Events.

As the Head of Meetings & Events at Wyboston Lakes Resort, Lydia will take the lead in driving the team forward, ensuring revenue targets are exceeded, the event diary is filled with great experiences, and clients receive unparalleled service.

Paul Kamlesh’s business Copybox enables offices, schools, and other workplaces in and around Bedfordshire to reliably do what they couldn’t survive without: printing, scanning, and photocopying.

Mains voltage control specialist, Sinalda UK offers voltage stabilisation and power conditioning systems. Tried, tested, and proven in countries around the world for over 30 years, the company’s products are deployed in some of the harshest environments on the planet. We take a look at the family-run company in more depth with director, Daniel Dover.

Lobbying and policy are possibly not the most exciting or glamorous elements of doing business, but in the background, they’re constantly working to influence decisions, sway opinion, and articulate your business’s hopes, fears, and interests, at local, regional, and national level.

Staff at CHUMS CIC were absolutely over the moon to receive the awesome Silver Winners title for Community Business of the Year at the SME Bedfordshire Business Awards 2023!  

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.