On this occasion, I would like to reflect a little about our region and how your Chamber provides a business network-orientated organisation to help your company in many activities and growth strategies.
Our two counties continue to be a dynamic and vibrant business area, nestled in the heart of the Midlands. They boast a thriving economy that offers new jobs and exciting opportunities, whilst protecting the quality of life within the region.
Spanning across two counties, our geographical area covers the farming county of Herefordshire including Hereford, Ledbury, Ross-On-Wye, Bromyard, Holme Lacy and more. We also cover the industrial county of Worcestershire, with a strong presence in Worcester, Evesham, Bromsgrove, Kidderminster, Redditch and other surrounding towns. Herefordshire and Worcestershire span a wide geographical area, with a mix of rural and urban businesses and a business demographic of over 90% micro businesses. We also have over 37,000 businesses in our area, employing c.335,000 employees.
As well as housing the cohort of successful micro businesses, the region is also home to an array of nationally recognised brands like Worcester Bosch and Kingspan in Hereford. The counties have undergone a considerable transformation within the last decade by improving road and rail infrastructure and building closer links between the worlds of business and education. The developments have led to large investment projects which include the creation of the Enterprise Zone and the Cyber Centre in Herefordshire, and in Worcestershire, the Malvern Hills Science Park and 5G testbed. The advances also make the area an attractive prospect to students from across the globe, who can study at the University of Worcester and the New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering University in Hereford.
In addition, we work with extended partners such as local Universities, Malvern Hills Science Park, Central Technology Board, the Manufacturing Advisory Group, Manufacturing Technology Centres, Apprenticeship Hubs, Worcestershire Works Well, Enterprise Zone, and local business boards.
The synergy between these local organisations has resulted in key successes for the counties, including the development of large-scale infrastructure projects, improvements in digital capacity and many employment and skills initiatives.
As well as lobbying extensively on behalf of its Membership, the Chamber supports businesses in the region to develop professionally by providing a detailed training course calendar covering HR, Legislation and Regulation, PR and Marketing, Developing People and Import & Export in International Trade, with a portfolio of over 85 course titles in total. Our business networking programme provides over 150 events per year, including the annual Awards dinner where we host 700 guests plus the twice-yearly business Expo where 120 companies showcase their companies and approaching 1,000 visitors attend.
The International Trade team offers a comprehensive portfolio of assistance that is supplemented by access to a commercial network that extends into over 100 countries worldwide. They deliver services from business development support to training services that assist in getting your products to global partners and clients in the most effective way.
The Chamber’s vision is to work with the whole business community in order to build sustainable economic growth in Herefordshire and Worcestershire. In order to provide access to solutions those local businesses need to achieve this, organisations are encouraged to engage with other Members, connect at the extensive networking events, be responsive to the external environment, offer relevant and practical solutions to business boundaries and look for opportunities to work together to ensure the counties continue to flourish.
It’s been a tough year and economically 2023 will be a challenge on many levels. Your Chamber is here to help and support wherever we can. Please make use of the support services and networking opportunities. You are not alone!
On a more social note, big thanks to DRPG for hosting the Business Leaders Christmas Dinner on the 15th December. 120 attendees enjoyed the social event and were treated to an excellent catering occasion from Brookes Catering. Guest speaker Jason Bevon entertained us, literally, from his time on the creative team at Disney and Warner Brothers.
While we’ve yet to get through the festive season at the time of writing, please do not forget that the next Chamber Expo at the Three Counties Showground takes place on Thursday 9 March. Check in with the events team to book your stand!
Could I also take the opportunity to wish you and your families, partners, and friends a very enjoyable festive season. All the best and look forward to seeing you in 2023, Mike.