STAFFORDSHIRE CHAMBERS BUSINESS MANIFESTO 2017

STAFFORDSHIRE CHAMBERS BUSINESS MANIFESTO 2017 BELONG. CONNECT. SUCCEED

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CONTENTS 4

Paul Farmer - President Staffordshire Chambers

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Education, Skills and Innovation

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Business Start and Growth

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Infrastructure

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Carl Croft - President Stafford Chamber

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Digital Connectivity

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Affordable Premises

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Energy for Jobs and Growth

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Suzanne Davy - President Staffordshire Moorlands Chamber

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World Class Exporting

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Better Procurement

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City and Town Centre Economies

16 Brexit and Beyond 17

Connect to Staffordshire Chambers

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INTRODUCTION

BUSINESS MANIFESTO 2017 Introduction – Paul Farmer OBE President Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce

Paul Farmer OBE President Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce

Business is the lifeblood of the economy, creating wealth, employment and opportunities for everyone. That’s why it is vital we have the right conditions for entrepreneurs to start new businesses and for small, medium and large sized firms to invest and grow. In this Staffordshire Chambers Business Manifesto, we highlight the aspirations and priorities of chamber members to sustain a prosperous local economy. It is the result of extensive consultation and debate and it identifies issues and actions, both for businesses and policy makers, to boost local economic growth. The chambers deliver better opportunities to the people of Staffordshire by helping businesses to succeed. Rooted in the local business community, and with a national and international reach, the chambers help business connect to people, skills, markets and support. Through lobbying and representation, we ensure that the needs of businesses are heard and understood. The business community is confident that Staffordshire will flourish as an economic centre, dominating the region between the Northern Powerhouse and the Midlands Engine, and benefiting from a form of devolution best suited to local needs. We can attract new talent and investment based on our geographical and sectoral strengths, and forge strong links to local, national and international opportunities. Businesses and local institutions must work together to deliver effective economic strategies. We have made great progress in raising the profile of Staffordshire and promoting its many strengths - the Stoke-on-Trent City of Culture bid and the Literary Festival are examples of how we are already beginning to change perceptions – but we need to do more to unify and strengthen the area. With clear leadership and accountability, Staffordshire can maximise the impact of resources and powers and realise our tremendous potential. The creation of a larger unitary authority encompassing administrative units outside of the current City of Stoke on Trent boundary, would be widely supported by the business community. Ongoing investment in skills, infrastructure and business support will stimulate local economic growth and ensure that Staffordshire remains a great place to live, work, invest and grow a business. We have much to do, and business is very much part of the solution.

EDUCATION, SKILLS AND INNOVATION 5

EDUCATION, SKILLS AND INNOVATION To remain competitive, businesses need access to a wide range of skilled people and the ability to upskill and re-skill the workforce continuously. Through the chambers, employers embrace opportunities to work with young people in schools. They support apprenticeships as a good way to bring young, highly motivated people into business and so develop the skilled workforce of the future. Businesses also benefit from strong innovation and research links with local universities, and employment of talented graduates.

Chambers will: 1

Work with over 3,000 young people to help prepare them for the world of work - a top priority of the chambers. Through our Young Chamber initiative, we will help employers engage with primary and secondary schools, colleges and universities, to ensure young people have the information and experience they need to be successful in the workplace;

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Connect businesses to apprenticeship opportunities through local partnerships with colleges and training providers, via Skills Staffordshire;

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Work with local universities to link graduates and employers, help retain talent in the area, and boost innovation;

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Provide information and advice to help firms understand the apprenticeship reforms, including the Apprenticeship Levy;

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Connect businesses to the best available training to upskill and reskill the workforce.

Chambers will call for: •

School leavers to have high levels of functional literacy, numeracy, digital and employability skills;

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Parity of esteem for vocational and academic qualifications, with measured employment outcomes for schools;

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All young people to have access to quality work experience;

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Independent careers advice, tailored for local employment needs;

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Technical Level qualifications that meet the needs of local employers;

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Flexibility for businesses to use Apprenticeship Levy monies for other, high-quality workplace and vocational training within their own company and within their supply chain;

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Lifelong learning for everyone in the workforce.

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BUSINESS START AND GROWTH

BUSINESS START AND GROWTH Staffordshire is among the best places to start and grow a successful business, due to the high quality of business support services available.

Chambers will: Connect entrepreneurs to the information, skills and funding they need to start a business or to grow an existing enterprise to greater levels of success. We will do this through the support, development and management of the Growth Hub.


Access to finance and new funding streams for businesses at all key stages in their growth;

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Grant funding available post-Brexit for capital expenditure and new employment, and for it to be brought to the attention of a wider range of businesses via new ‘disruptive’ methods of delivery;

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Funding to enable third parties, including Chambers of Commerce, to help businesses access new and existing sources of finance, develop new business networks and grow their international markets.

INFRASTRUCTURE 7

INFRASTRUCTURE Moving People and Goods Businesses need predictable, reliable and affordable journey times to move their people, products and services. While Staffordshire benefits from excellent road and rail links, and its close proximity to 4 international airports, the local economy needs on-going investment to enhance this connectivity.

Chambers will: 1

Work with businesses and partners to identify the area’s transport needs and capacity constraints, and identify further practical solutions;

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Building on the chambers’ experience of implementing green travel initiatives, we will develop services to help businesses and their employees reduce dependence on the private car.


Stoke-on-Trent and Stafford to continue to have fast, frequent and reliable train services to the capital and major UK cities, together with frequent HS2 services;

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Additional capacity, better journey times and improved reliability on the rail service linking towns, cities and rural areas across the Midlands region, including enhanced East-West connectivity via the Crewe, Stoke and Derby service;

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Access to effective, attractive and affordable bus services in rural areas, towns and city centres, and links between residential areas and employment sites;

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A firm timetable and start date for the upgrading of the M6 through Staffordshire at junctions 15 and 16, with urgent safety improvements at Junction 15;

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An improved process for re-opening motorways following incidents, to minimise delays, disruption and costs to the local economy;

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Increased capacity on strategic routes and trunk roads throughout Staffordshire, including the A500 and A50, and a new bypass to the east of Stafford;

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A third runway at Heathrow to expand international connectivity, better use of regional airports and improved surface access links for Staffordshire firms;

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Further capital and revenue funding available for local sustainable travel options to reduce congestion, improve journey times and promote health, including funding to help employers encourage modal shift for employees and business travel;

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Support for business to switch to cleaner vehicles, including electric charging points and retrofitting.

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STAFFORD CHAMBER PRESIDENT CARL CROFT

Carl Croft President Stafford Chamber of Commerce Stafford Chamber is working with partners to ensure businesses have the help they need to grow and create jobs. Through the chamber, members can connect locally, nationally and internationally to top decision makers and, of course, to the highest quality business support services. Carl Croft President Stafford Chamber of Commerce

We are experiencing unprecedented economic growth in Stafford Borough, with new homes and jobs attracting skilled workers and new business investment. This growth is forecast to continue, boosted by the new HS2 service at Stafford together with the expansion of the Signals regiment and its highly skilled personnel. The Borough offers huge opportunities for businesses, and we are developing exciting new sectors in energy generation and digital technologies. Key to our future success is the need to ensure that local economic growth is sustainable. New buildings must be well designed, with good access, ample parking, and with connectivity to public transport and green travel options. Fast and reliable digital connectivity is essential. The chamber will be campaigning on these priorities, and a wide range of other issues, including: continued town centre regeneration in Stafford and Stone; business rates reform; new road and rail infrastructure investment, and renewed focus on education and skills. The business community, through the chamber, remains a critical friend to those whose policies and activities shape the local business environment.

DIGITAL CONNECTIVITY

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DIGITAL CONNECTIVITY Fast and effective digital connectivity – and the skills to maximise its business potential - is crucial for growing businesses and those trading internationally.

Chambers will: Work with partners to help coordinate and focus digital initiatives to ensure businesses get the advice, information and support they need to use technology to its maximum potential.


An improved service from infrastructure providers to reduce barriers and delays to business investment;

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Continued support and solutions for businesses who are waiting for the Superfast Broadband programme to reach their location;

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Appropriate solutions for premises in rural areas that cannot be supplied with a fibre optic solution;

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More consistent access to 4G mobile connectivity across the county;

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Training for businesses in the use of existing and emerging technologies, to improve business capacity and to support growth.

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AFFORDABLE PREMISES

AFFORDABLE PREMISES FOR GROWING FIRMS Access to land, premises and enabling infrastructure is essential to meet the growth aspirations of businesses.

Chambers will: 1

Bring together businesses, the Local Enterprise Partnership and local planning authorities to ensure that Local Plans are supportive of ambitious growth in jobs and homes;

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Work with partners to ensure the area has the right balance of quality housing stock, including executive and self-build homes, to meet the needs of the workforce at all stages of their careers.


More grow-on space for small firms, well designed office accommodation throughout Staffordshire and a ready supply of quality employment land;

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Protection for existing businesses against any adverse impacts of new housing sited in close proximity;

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Incentives to encourage development of speculative commercial and industrial premises to enable business growth and inward investment in areas traditionally unpopular with investors;

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Funding and incentives for land remediation, and enabling infrastructure, to unlock brownfield sites for development;

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Well-resourced planning authorities, a faster planning process, and a reduction in the complexity, duplication and contradictory nature of plan making;

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Sympathetic interpretation of planning policies to encourage business investment, economic growth and job creation;

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Reform of the business rates system to help improve the long-term competitiveness of business.

THE ENERGY FOR JOBS AND GROWTH

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THE ENERGY FOR JOBS AND GROWTH Staffordshire has expertise in energy generation, which can now support energy security and supply, business diversification and supply chain development.

Chambers will: 1

Support businesses to reduce energy costs, improve fuel and energy efficiency;

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Bring together businesses, partners and policy makers to identify investment and supply chain opportunities;

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Work with partners to ensure that Staffordshire’s role in energy generation for the UK is recognised by the government.


Delivery of the Stoke-on-Trent District Heating Network, including the development of a local supply chain and investment in sector skills;

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Strong links to national energy systems research facilities, to build upon existing skills and expertise and promote new inward investment opportunities;

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A national long-term energy security strategy to ensure our manufacturing firms, and intensive energy users, have access to a reliable supply of energy, stable energy prices and a business-friendly tax regime;

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Extension of investment allowances to cover more energy-efficiency technologies and help manage business costs.

12 STAFFORDSHIRE MOORLANDS CHAMBER PRESIDENT SUZANNE DAVY

Suzanne Davy President Staffordshire Moorlands Chamber of Commerce The Staffordshire Moorlands combines spectacular landscapes with a dynamic and outward looking business community. Each year more and more visitors are taking advantage of the breath-taking scenery, the fantastic range of attractions, activities, food and drink and accommodation offer. Suzanne Davy President Staffordshire Moorlands Chamber of Commerce

This thriving retail, leisure and tourism industry together with world class exporters, specialist manufacturers and a burgeoning agricultural technology sector are creating jobs, opportunities and prosperity for the local workforce. That’s why supporting businesses in rural economies and market towns has never been more important. Over the past two years, the Staffordshire Moorlands Chamber has doubled in size, bringing together more businesses to share ideas, best practice and opportunities and providing an influential voice for the rural economy at a local and national level. Chamber membership brings tangible and lasting benefits – connecting businesses to people, skills, funding, markets and much more. I look forward to working with you in the year ahead.

ENCOURAGING WORLD CLASS EXPORTING

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ENCOURAGING WORLD CLASS EXPORTING Staffordshire firms are exporting goods, services and knowledge to markets around the globe. In the past year alone, the chambers helped firms export nearly £200m of goods and services to over 100 markets. Staffordshire’s International Trade Team assisted companies to win over £20m in export orders, but there remains untapped potential and we need to do more.

Chambers will: 1

Work with the Department for International Trade (DIT) and other partners to raise awareness of the benefits of exporting;

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Deliver international trade services and training to local businesses;

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Develop international trade training with universities, colleges and schools to support a skilled workforce.


A continuation of the DIT export adviser service to provide specialist and tailored support to exporting firms, with additional funding for a national specialist ceramics sector export adviser, to be based in Stoke-on-Trent;

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More funding to access export support programmes, trade shows and market research;

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More international trade skills within businesses, greater uptake of modern language skills in schools, and business undergraduate degrees to include more international trade modules;

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Help for businesses to access practical information, networks and business facilities in overseas markets, via Staffordshire’s universities, our international students and the British Chambers of Commerce Global Business Network;

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Support for businesses that, through necessity, have to import to export;

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Stronger international trade links for Staffordshire to encourage business investment and inward investment;

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Confidence over the UK’s ongoing relationship with the EU, our largest export market, with an EU trade deal on the best possible terms that minimises costs and trade barriers;

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Businesses to continue to benefit from existing Free Trade Agreements and to continue to trade on the beneficial terms they already have access to.

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BOOSTING LOCAL ECONOMIES THROUGH BETTER PROCUREMENT

BOOSTING LOCAL ECONOMIES THROUGH BETTER PROCUREMENT There are significant opportunities for businesses to supply the public sector. Access to public sector contracts can help businesses grow and create jobs. Chambers will: 1

Connect businesses to buyers and opportunities, locally, nationally and internationally;

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Provide training, advice and mentoring to help firms be more successful at bidding for work, managing risk and credit control;

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Work with local public sector partners to identify and remove barriers for SMEs;

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Promote a prompt-payment culture.


Procurement opportunities to be more accessible through wider communication and early notice periods to give firms more time to prepare their bids;

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Supportive policy, strategy and procedures to improve access for SMEs, with a positive financial and legal procurement culture;

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Transparency, fairness, and the provision of feedback for SMEs on areas of improvement;

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Support for SMEs to collaborate on large contracts;

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Implementation of the Social Value Act in all public sector procurement, with well thought out implications for achieving impact.

BOOSTING CITY AND TOWN CENTRE ECONOMIES

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BOOSTING CITY AND TOWN CENTRE ECONOMIES Thriving towns and city centres are an essential part of the Staffordshire economy, bringing new investment, tourism and leisure spending and helping to attract and retain skilled workers. Chambers will: Work with businesses, local authorities, police and other partners to help revitalise and safeguard the local high street for today’s economy and for future generations.


Enhanced marketing of Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire to potential investors and visitors;

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A strong, vibrant city centre in Stoke-on-Trent, with defined, distinct and supported roles for town centres;

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Investment in retail and leisure facilities, new office and residential accommodation and education facilities fully integrated into city and town centres;

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Help for independent retailers to access digital marketing training to enable them to compete and become online businesses;

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Investment in the public realm, creating a safe environment and a high-quality ambience;

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Improved signage and access by bus and road, with flexible and competitively-priced car parking and modern payment facilities;

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Investment in infrastructure to encourage uptake of electric vehicles and autonomous modes of transport.

BREXIT AND BEYOND 16

BREXIT AND BEYOND Since the referendum result in June 2016, Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce have been in consultation with the local business community to ensure that, together, we are addressing the key business priorities for the UK government’s Brexit negotiations. The British Chambers of Commerce have produced a ‘Business Brexit Priorities’ document into which we have reflected local business issues. It is imperative that the government negotiates the best deal it can with the EU for the UK and its businesses, mindful of the fact that Europe will remain a key market for UK firms. It will be the ability of businesses to respond to forthcoming changes and identify new opportunities that will shape our future relationship with both the EU and the rest of the world. The Chambers stand ready to support and help businesses deal with these exciting challenges. Chambers will: 1

Work with the Department for International Trade (DIT) and Department for Exiting the European Union (DExEU) to represent the business community;

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Work with businesses and the British Chambers of Commerce during the Brexit process, to develop future customs procedures, to minimise beaurocracy and maximise trade.


UK firms to have continued access to the talent they need - ideally protecting the status of EU nationals in the UK;

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Greater clarity and updates to be given to businesses on the regime for hiring workers throughout the entire Brexit process;

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Disruption to business regulation to be avoided - maintain short term stability of the regulatory framework and equivalence of standards with the EU through mutual recognition, while allowing for future changes to best reflect the needs of UK businesses and promote a gradual reduction in the size and complexity of regulation;

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No hard border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland to maintain free trade and people flows across the border and limit any new beaurocratic arrangements;

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Meaningful business input to local economic strategies to ensure that all localities can seize opportunities and minimise any problems;

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Revitalised trade support programmes and fund front-line face to face support for exporters;

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Delivering of frictionless future trade arrangements with the European Union;

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Ensuring that businesses continue to benefit from exisiting Free Trade Arrangments (FTAs).

CONNECT TO SUCCESS THROUGH THE STAFFORDSHIRE CHAMBERS The chambers’ role is to connect Staffordshire’s diverse range of businesses to opportunities, support and influencers at a local, national and international level. No other independent, place-based business support organisation can offer granular, street-level connections with SMEs together with the global reach of the British Chambers of Commerce network overseas. Staffordshire Chambers is part of the British Chambers accredited Chamber network. The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) sits at the heart of a powerful network of 52 chambers across the UK, representing thousands of businesses of all sizes and within all sectors.

JOIN US IN MAKING STAFFORDSHIRE A THRIVING BUSINESS COMMUNITY Whether you’re a large established organisation or a small developing enterprise, the Chamber provides you with essential services designed to help your business grow. Your membership package includes a range of free services, with more discounted benefits available just for you. T: 01782 202222 For more information contact [email protected]

For more information regarding this business manifesto please contact Matthew Lowe, Policy Advisor E: [email protected] Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce Commerce House Festival Park Stoke-on-Trent ST1 5BE T: 01782 202 222 www.staffordshirechambers.co.uk Twitter: @StaffsChambers Follow Staffordshire Chambers on LinkedIn

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