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

As the UK’s international hub airport, Heathrow connects businesses across the country to crucial growth markets.   For 16 years, Heathrow Business Summit (formerly Heathrow Meet the Buyer) Heathrow has been enabling business to be done through annual business summits. To date, it has helped businesses win around £90 million in new business. 

The University of Bedfordshire’s Knowledge Hub has teamed up with Central Bedfordshire Council and Bedford Borough Council to rollout an innovative leadership and management training programme.

TWO eco-friendly business experts are to visit the University of Bedfordshire’s Knowledge Network to discuss the lucrative energy efficient technology market.

Commenting on today’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) interest rate decision, the first under the new Governor Mark Carney, David Kern, Chief Economist at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said:

The Local Enterprise Agency SEMLEP is recruiting for two posts:  Business and Economic Analyst and Head of Business Development.

Businesses in Bedfordshire can now apply for a share of the new £2.5 million Grants4Growth programme – which is being distributed via Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) to companies based in the East of England.

The Chamber Awards close for business entries on the 28th June.   Any business entering any of the eight business categories by 21st June 2013 will be entered into a prize draw to win an iPad mini.

More than 1.4 million employer PAYE schemes are now reporting to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) in real time since the launch of new tax reporting requirements in April.

• Manufacturing output in April 2013: -0.2% on the month, -0.5% year on year
• Total industrial production in April 2013: +0.1% on the month, -0.6% year on year

Commenting on the new Small and Micro Business Assessment, which has been announced by Michael Fallon today, Dr Adam Marshall, Director of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said:

Commenting on the labour market statistics, published today by the ONS, David Kern, Chief Economist at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said:

The Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Provider Network are keen to hear views from employers across Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire about 16-24 Youth Unemployment and how you feel about Apprenticeships.

The University of Bedfordshire’s Knowledge Hub has teamed up with Central Bedfordshire Council and Bedford Borough Council to launch an innovative leadership and management training programme aimed at business professionals looking to develop their skills set.

Commenting on the government’s decisions today on National Minimum Wage rates from 1 October 2013, Dr Adam Marshall, Director of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

UltraVision CLPL is taking the manufacture of contact lenses to the next level and in support of this has employed Clinical Director, Lynn White MSc FCOptom and Engineering Manager, Nick Stonehouse.  With a strong clinical and manufacturing team, UltraVision is poised for growth and ready to ensure the future development of the next generation of contact lens technology.

What does singer Adele have in common with Flitwick based fuel card business i-fuelcards Ltd? The answer is they’ve both trademarked their names. Nigel Webb, Business Development Manager at i-fuelcards Ltd, knew that in a competitive market it was essential to protect a brand that was establishing a great reputation. 

From October 2013 all newly built commercial property completed between 1st October 2013 and 30th September 2016 will be exempt from empty property rates for the first 18 months (up to the state aids limit).

• BCC’s Quarterly Economic Survey for Q1 2013 shows progress, with almost all major balances improving compared with Q4 2012. 
• British businesses are resilient, but many balances are still below pre-recession levels and growth remains too low.

• John Longworth: “These results provide a glimpse of the as-yet-distant sunlit uplands of recovery. Businesses up and down the country are working hard to drive the economy, create jobs and export, but they cannot accelerate this process alone.”

Tax cheats who become insolvent to dodge their companies’ tax obligations face up to five years’ scrutiny from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP) has named Daniel Charles Mouawad its newly appointed Chief Executive.

Do you own your own company?   Do you need to attract more customers?  Would you benefit from some marketing advice?  A new documentary series about SMEs wants to hear from you.

Commenting on the Chancellor’s Budget speech, John Longworth, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

Chamber member Luton Family Law has secured the national Law Society's law management quality mark, Lexcel.

There's still time to enter the East of England's Local Impact Awards with Business in the Community.  This year BITC have seven categories open to companies based or operating in the region.

The latest workplace absence figures published in 2012 show that musculoskeletal problems such as back, neck, shoulder and knee pain are still proving to be a huge issue for people across the UK, blighting the lives of millions.

If you've ever complained about conditions for business and felt no one's listening, now is your opportunity to be heard.  The British Chambers of Commerce Quarterly Economic Survey is a highly respected snapshot of conditions for business but the BCC don't do it alone.  They need your input to help them present the most accurate picture in a survey which is taken very seriously by central government and the Bank of England and is reported widely in the press.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has been officially named as a Business Superbrand in an influential annual survey that identifies the UK’s strongest business-to-business brands. Independently co-ordinated by The Centre for Brand Analysis, the annual Business Superbrands survey considers thousands of brands that are judged by both an Expert Council and over 1,900 individual business professionals from across the UK. 

For the first time businesses are being offered interactive support with their tax affairs by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

Chamber members Peninsula Business Services Ltd. has issued some timely advice for employers during periods of bad weather.