PROSPER MAGAZINE: DIGITAL EDITION
BUSINESS IS DONE BETTER TOGETHER
JUDE THOMPSON
PRESIDENT
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A NOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT
As we begin to move beyond into a world where, as businesses and society we are living with COVID-19 rather than merely responding to it; the landscape of how many of us operate has shifted from where we were just three months ago.
As colleagues and consumers, we are demanding more, and many communities have said enough is enough. The Chamber remains the leading business support organisation across the region and continues to work with its members to help them make sense of this new world and how we as a wider business community respond.
I've been particularly proud of the team at the Chamber who have taken the lead on so many initiatives ranging from the membership subscription holiday to ease cashflow, increasing engagement with stakeholders and influencers through to its work on inclusive leadership and providing easy to understand information about how to operate safely and effectively as businesses emerge from lockdown.
The Chambers ethos of Business is Done Together has never been truer or relevant and I urge you to take full advantage of your Chamber benefits and the insights of the Chamber team to help you and your teams over the coming months.
Jude Thompson
TRADE MINISTER SPEAKS DIRECTLY TO BLACK COUNTRY BUSINESSES
Opportunities for the West Midlands, and Black Country-based companies in manufacturing in particular, including automotive, food, drink and the tech sectors, can only benefit from the UK and USA trade bill, currently being negotiated said Minister of State for Trade Policy, Greg Hands.
In a live virtual meeting with businesses from across the region the Minister, alongside Dudley North MP, Marco Longhi who helped organise the meeting, joined the Black Country Chamber of Commerce earlier this month to discuss some of the opportunities they see ahead for the region as the UK negotiates a free trade deal with the most powerful nation on earth.
Rebooting and restarting the Black Country powerful exporting base is key to the region's prospects as the country eases its way out of the Covid-19 crisis and prepares for the end of the Brexit transition period later this year.
As many companies in the manufacturing sector leave lockdown, Mr Hands announced that scoping analysis had shown that the West Midlands, along with Scotland and the North East, had been identified as the areas that can benefit most from a deal with the largest external trading partner, the USA.
As the manufacturing heartland of the UK, the West Midlands has maintained a trade surplus with the United States for many years. 1 in 5 of our exports go to the US with over £12,000 of goods exported to the States every minute and the Minister was keen to hear from business leaders currently trading with the US, taking on board some of the issues they currently face.
The UK and US governments have set out their ambitions for a free trade deal to be agreed in principle, meaning an end to tariffs and making it easier for more businesses to export to America and open up new customer markets. The Black Country's blend of manufacturing and professional services makes it one of the best-placed regions in the country to benefit from a US-UK Free Trade Deal.
Member of Parliament for Dudley North, Marco Longhi announced that he will continue to 'bang the drum' for businesses in Dudley and the Black Country to ensure they are best placed to take advantage of the trade deals, saying, "We have fantastic opportunities coming our way and I want to give Dudley and Black Country businesses the best chance to shape future trade deals to benefit our local and ultimately the national economy."
Chamber CEO, Corin Crane said, "Local businesses have got a lot to plan for at the moment – preparing for changes to our European importing and exporting rules, fluctuating currency rates, global trade wars between USA and China, an upcoming recession and of course, COVID-19.
"So this webinar with the Trade Policy Minister, Greg Hands, and in collaboration with Black Country International, was incredibly timely and allowed businesses from Marco's constituency in Dudley North, and across the wider Black Country, to get first-hand examples of how the negotiations are progressing and some valuable tips on how to prepare for the new deal".
NEW CHAMBER FINANCE FINDER PLATFORM LAUNCHED - TRANSFORMING MEMBERS' ACCESS TO BUSINESS FINANCE
An exciting new business funding matching tool looking to revolutionise access to finance for businesses in the Black Country was released earlier this month with the Black Country Chamber of Commerce.
The new Chamber Finance Finder allows member businesses fast and simple access to all funding options across loans, equity and grants – simplifying, speeding up and streamlining the application process for them.
Businesses are struggling to access the finance they need, so the Black Country Chamber is utilising financial technology to provide access to both government and non-government funding options via a new partnership with Swoop Funding, supported by the British Chambers of Commerce.
In addition to access to funding tailored for their specific business needs, members will also enjoy other exclusive benefits such as a dedicated Chamber Finance Finder hotline providing guidance to businesses' funding queries, plus a free financial health check, as well as finance alerts and updates.
Corin Crane, Black Country Chamber CEO said, "With cash flow a key concern for many businesses in our region, it's essential firms can access the support they need. By ensuring all firms have fast and simple access to finance we can safeguard the businesses that have built our community. We're delighted to be offering the Chamber Finance Finder to make this happen".
With the latest figures from Swoop showing fewer than 50% of businesses are accessing the loans needed, it is essential that organisations such as the Chamber of Commerce address the challenges in the process. This new tool, powered by one of UK's most admired fintechs, Swoop Funding, matches businesses with funding from over 1,000 providers.
Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, told Prosper, "Business communities are facing unprecedented challenges, and access to finance remains a pressing issue for so many firms. The Chamber Finance Finder will help companies the length and breadth of the UK find finance options that will help them restart, rebuild and renew their operations. We're delighted to support the Black Country Chamber of Commerce in launching this initiative.
For further information please email: membership@blackcountrychamber.co.uk
