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

Do you, as a leader, fear change?

Perhaps you've noticed employees are becoming stuck in their ways. Or things have become stagnant.

Does a "this is the way we’ve always done things" attitude permeate the business?

Luton, Bedfordshire: EFM announces the launch of their new business advisory division, EFM Growth. Separate from their more financially focused counterpart, EFM Growth is a new venture with a specialist team, working alongside business owners to support their growth strategy and overcome a wide range of commercial problems. 

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.

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.

Starting now until November, Velocity Growth Hub has brought together local business owners and trainers in a programme of new, fully-funded business skills workshops that combine local business knowledge and expert training to give you the best client experience.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has today slightly downgraded its growth expectations for the UK economy, forecasting GDP growth for 2018 at 1.3% (from 1.4%) 

The business landscape is notoriously disruptive, volatile and unpredictable. And for businesses to withstand this level of uncertainty, it’s not enough to simply have the best product, the best price, or even the best service.

Two major new regional distribution centres are to be built in Bedford Borough for popular nationwide retailers which will create an estimated 1,400 new jobs for the area.

Today marks the one year countdown until the UK officially leaves the EU. And with the Brexit divorce progressing day-by-day, it’s only natural for business owners to feel uncertain about the future.

Meet Kimberley Nahar Business Growth Enabler at NatWest 

With Brexit negotiations and warnings on the impact on growth hitting the headlines regularly, we’d be forgiven in thinking business is in stalemate in deciding on whether or not to invest in growth.

Addressing the BCC Annual Conference 2018 today, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, will remind the government that the biggest challenges and opportunities facing the UK business community, and country, are not related to exiting the EU, but to the fundamentals in the domestic environment.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) launched its flagship Chamber Business Awards at the London Stock Exchange. London Chamber of Commerce & Industry members AnyJunk, last year’s winner of the ‘Business of the Year’ award, has the honour of opening the day’s trading.

To keep your business growth strategy steady and alive, it goes without saying that business leaders should always be on the lookout for new opportunities.

We’ve previously written about how to approach networking to get the most out of it. And it’s worth getting it right as it can help you grow your business.

There’s huge variety in what businesses need to do to stay successful. Luckily, there’s a lot of information and business support out there to help. So what are the key elements of success that business owners and directors need to focus on?

Whether you have a business idea, are starting or scaling up your business for rapid growth, equity investment can be a viable source of funding.

As part of our business support offer, we continue to run the Autumn / winter ERDF business growth workshops.

As part of our business support offer, we officially launch the Autumn / Winter ERDF business growth workshops.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has today launched ‘Brexit and Beyond’, the Chamber Network manifesto for General Election 2017.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) today publishes its Quarterly Economic Survey – the UK’s largest and most authoritative private sector business survey. 

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has  launched its flagship Chamber Business Awards at London Stock Exchange. Scientifica, last year’s winner of the ‘Business of the Year’ award based in Sussex, had the honour of opening trading at London Stock Exchange, accompanied by Nus Ghani, Conservative MP for Wealden, and Ana Christie, Chief Executive of Sussex Chambers of Commerce.

Ahead of the Chancellor’s Spring Budget on March 8, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is urging the government to take action on delivering real reform to the business rates system.

• Businesspeople paying close attention to debate on UK’s membership of the EU - but say it has had little material impact on business to date
• ‘Remain’ camp ahead two-to-one amongst business voters, but significant divisions exist on size and export lines
• Renegotiated deal for the UK unlikely to change voting intentions of two in three business leaders.

The recent growth of jobs in the UK is a great success story. However, in order for this growth to be sustained and to translate into real tangible benefits for business and the economy, there needs to be a real investment in training and skills.

A £50,000 Velocity grant has prompted a £1million investment in pioneering new technologies, propelling a Bedford electronics firm to the forefront of its industry.

• The BCC's economic survey for Q2 2015 indicates continued UK economic growth, but highlights sharp differences between manufacturing and services.
• In services, the results remain broadly positive and signal growth.
• But in manufacturing, virtually all the key national balances recorded declines.

The British Chambers of Commerce has downgraded its UK GDP growth forecast for 2015 from 2.7% to 2.3%, following weaker than expected growth at the start of the year. However, the BCC believes the slowdown is temporary and the prospects over the medium term remain steady, with GDP growth predicted to be 2.6% in 2016 and 2017.

EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE ACROSS THE BOARD FOR BEDFORDSHIRE BUSINESSES

A new report published  has revealed that Bedfordshire’s top 100 businesses are in much better shape than this time last year, showing excellent growth in profitability with earnings up 13%.