Chamber News

Our annual flagship policy event returned face-to-face this year at The Halls, St Andrews Plain, Norwich on the 4th February. Bringing together local MPs and business leaders to debate topics that were picked by local businesses. The topics chosen were People, Skills and Wellbeing, Growth and Innovation, Transport and Infrastructure and Climate Change. The Big Debate was once again sponsored by Greater Anglia. Stand sponsors Ascot Lloyd, Charles Stanley and Howes Percival also joined the event. Over 90 people attended the event, including a high calibre of panellists such as Chloe Smith MP, Clive Lewis MP, James Wild MP and George Freeman MP, plus senior representatives from Norfolk businesses, education providers and local authorities such as Aviva, Turning Factor, KonectBus, City College Norwich and Norfolk County Council. Debate 1: Climate Change The first panel debate of the event was Climate Change with Ellen Goodwin, Infrastructure Manager and Clean Growth lead at New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, Paul McCarthy General Manager at Chantry Place, Stuart Wright Operations Net Zero Delivery Director at Aviva and Clive Lewis, Labour MP Norwich South. How can we help businesses on the education of climate change? Clive Lewis – Net-zero isn’t sufficient. We need to be going further and faster – that window is closing fast. What can you do? You can ensure your staff, where possible, work from home, go to a four-day week – make sure you’re building is carbon neutral with solar panels. The bigger part of the story is for businesses like you to lobby government for real change. Paul McCarthy – Many businesses understand that it’s an issue, some may think it’s not as drastic as we’ve heard but they all recognise that climate change is real – we all have our part to play in addressing it. What the Business Climate Leaders programme is all about is to try and help businesses – to support, to educate them on their journey – it’s designed to help do the right thing, as quickly as they possibly can by putting them in touch with people who can help. The programme is there to help them, whilst they run their businesses to. How does a business start a net-zero journey? Ellen Goodwin – We’re working to support businesses with a community renewable fund to help businesses take that first step – most people recognise the challenge, we want to provide consultancy support, SME support, decarbonisation plans, carbon calculators – this is a pilot game with an evaluation plan – a first step space. Stuart Wright – This is an extinction event. If we don’t take this seriously now, planning won’t matter. It sounds very dramatic, but that is the reality. Aviva has a net-zero programme, and net-zero has to be done properly, the first thing a company needs to do is to reduce its carbon emissions by 90% between now and 2030 – that’s a chunky ambition and we call it that because it’s an ambition. It’s about ambition, understanding technology, and getting it done.   Debate 2: People, Skills and Wellbeing Joining the debate panel was Chloe Smith MP Norwich North, David Melloy Business Development Manager Ascot Lloyd, Rebecca White CEO Your Own Place and Jerry White Deputy Principal City College. Now we’re getting through lockdown, how do we go about tackling wellbeing and productivity for employees? Chloe Smith – Embrace more talent into the workplace. Jerry White – The last two years have been challenging, we need to ensure people still feel part of the workplace culture with this way of working. Social check-ins with teams who work online is really important – it’s about asking how we use technology so we feel connected. David Melloy – It’s great to see everyone face to face, but for us as our advisors were having virtual meetings, you were seeing them in their homes – you do learn a lot about people, it has been a big change and has affected how we work as a firm. Rebecca White – Whether on zoom or teams, our approach to Wellbeing is about values, and either or not you care about your team, it’s the more about mortar more than the bricks   Debate 3: Transport and Infrastructure The third panel of the event to debate transport and infrastructure was Jonathan Denby Head of Corporate Affairs Greater Anglia, Jeremy Wiggin Team Leader Norfolk County Council, James Wild MP West Norfolk, Steve Royal Network Manager Konextbus and Peter Brown Managing Director Jack Richards. How will Norfolk develop public transport networks that are appealing and practical to tempt staff out of private cars when making journeys to and from work? Steve Royal – it’s quite simple, we need to make public transport more attractive, the only way you’ll get people to use public transport is to make it better than driving by car – put in the services that people want – it’s a big challenge. We’ve got to encourage more people out of their cars, but they have to have a product that delivers that. Jonathan Denby – Let people know how good the product is – where frequency or convenience is a disincentive for people to use the trains – looking at those projects and seeing what we can do to make it more attractive. It’s a package of messages, it’s the pricing – the ticketing, is it on time, can I build my day around it. James Wild – getting people onto ebikes, escooters is essential, encourage more people to get out on bikes.   Debate 4: Growth and Innovation For the final debate we welcomed George Freeman MP Mid Norfolk, Alex Sellers Director of Learning Turning Factor, Ashley Shorey-Mills Head of Sizewell C Suffolk Chambers of Commerce and Hayley Johnson Director of Operations Artlist.   How do I ensure the whole team is engaged and motivated to support the growth and innovation plans? Alex Sellers – it all comes down to leadership, communication, connecting and talking to people about what you’re doing. George Freeman – Good leadership is about explaining to your team whether is 2 or 200, explaining just how fast things are changing, and actually it’s about listening to your team. Hayley Johnson – Within the creative sector you have to be brave and bold, to put yourself out there – your best innovators are the people who do the work, the really strong culture drives your business. Ashley Shorely-Mills – it’s all about the culture – it’s imperative to involve people – it’s not about top level anymore, it’s the whole business that needs to be involved.   Photo credit: Chris Ball ©

• 71% of exporters say EU trade deal is not enabling them to grow or increase sales
• Only 1 in 8 exporters think it is helping them grow or increase sales
• Majority think it has pushed up costs, increased paperwork and delays, and put the UK at a competitive disadvantage. 

New research* carried out by the British Chambers of Commerce of more than 1,000 businesses has highlighted a host of issues with the UK’s trade deal with Europe. The BCC believes urgent steps should be taken to address these problems so the UK Government’s ambition to increase the number of firms exporting can be met. Overall, just 8% of firms agreed that the Trade and Co-operation Agreement (TCA) was ‘enabling their business to grow or increase sales’, while 54% disagreed. For UK exporters 12% agreed that the TCA was helping them while 71% disagreed. When asked to comment on the specific advantage (for those that agreed) or disadvantage (for those that disagreed) of the trade deal, 59 firms identified an advantage, while 320 cited a disadvantage. Of the 59 comments received on the advantage of the TCA, firms said:

• It had allowed some companies to continue to trade without significant change
• It had encouraged firms to look at other global markets
• It had provided stability to allow firms to plan.

Of the 320 comments received on the disadvantage of the TCA, firms said:

• It had led to rising costs for companies and their clients
• Smaller businesses did not have the time and money to deal with the bureaucracy it had introduced
• It had put off EU customers from considering UK goods and services – due to the perceived costs and complexities.

This follows BCC research in October 2021, which found that 60% of exporters were facing difficulties adapting to the changes from the TCA on goods trade, while 17% found the changes easy. Reacting to the findings, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “This is the latest BCC research to clearly show there are issues with the EU trade deal that need to be improved. Yet it could be so different. There are five relatively simple steps that UK and EU policymakers could take to ease the burden placed on businesses struggling with the trade deal. “Nearly all of the businesses in this research have fewer than 250 employees and these smaller firms are feeling most of the pain of the new burdens in the TCA. “Many of these companies have neither the time, staff or money to deal with the additional paperwork and rising costs involved with EU trade, nor can they afford to set up a new base in Europe or pay for intermediaries to represent them. “But if both sides take a pragmatic approach, they could reach a new understanding on the rules and then build on that further. “Accredited Chambers of Commerce support the UK Government’s ambition to massively increase the number of firms exporting. If we can free up the flow of goods and services into the EU, our largest overseas market, it will go a long way to realising that goal.” The BCC’s five key issues, and the solutions needed, to improve EU trade are: ISSUE: Export health certificates cost too much and take up too much time for smaller food exporters. SOLUTION:  We need a supplementary deal on this which either eliminates or reduces the complexity of exporting food for these firms.   ISSUE: Some companies are being asked to register in multiple EU states for VAT in order to sell online to customers there. SOLUTION: We need a supplementary deal, like Norway’s with the EU. This exempts the smallest firms from the requirement to have a fiscal representative and incur these duplicate costs.   ISSUE: As things stand CE marked industrial and electrical products will not be permitted for sale on the market in Great Britain from January 2023. The same is true for components and spares. SOLUTION:  We need action from the Government to help businesses with these timelines. Many firms are far from convinced about a ban on CE marked goods in Great Britain.   ISSUE: UK firms facing limitations on business travel and work activities in the EU. SOLUTION: Government needs to make side deals with the EU and member states to boost access in this area as a priority for 2022.   ISSUE: Companies starting to be pursued in respect of import customs declarations deferred from last year. SOLUTION:  We need a pragmatic approach to enforcement to ensure companies recovering from the pandemic do not face heavy-handed demands too quickly on import payments, or paperwork. Photo credit: Getty Images/Chamber Canva Pro usage 2022

The Chambers Quarterly Economic Survey (QES), is the UK’s largest independent business survey and is currently open for responses from local Norfolk businesses. The previous quarter’s QES showed that Norfolk’s economic recovery had stalled in the fourth quarter of 2021 and firms were facing unprecedented inflationary pressures.

• 65% of Norfolk firms expect their prices to increase in the next three months and 78% of businesses cited inflation as a concern

• 1 in 4 (27%) Norfolk manufacturing firms were worried about rising interest rates, as concerns over rate hikes reach record high

• Just over half of Norfolk firms (47%) reported increased domestic sales in Q4, compared to 45% in Q3

• 13% of Norfolk firms reported increases in export sales orders, compared to 17% in Q3

The QES only take a couple of minutes to complete – it is anonymous and your support would be greatly appreciated. The QES Q1 is open for responses until midnight on Monday 07 March 2022.  Take part in the QES now. Photo credit: Getty Images/Chamber Canva Pro usage 2022

A brand-new concept for business professionals under 35 was launched on Wednesday 9th February 2022.  The Co.next concept was launched; a brand new initiative aimed at empowering, engaging, and encouraging the next generation of business professionals. This was the first opportunity for the Norfolk business community to hear more about the programme and share their thoughts on how this will be shaped going forward. Co.next has been created by The Norfolk Chambers of Commerce to provide a structured, inclusive, collaborative, vibrant, and Norfolk-wide approach to support working professionals and future leaders 35 and under with appropriate, engaging, networking events and knowledge hubs. Chaired by James Groves of Indigo Swan, the board supporting this initiative consists of a range of passionate business leaders, who are on a mission to help shape the next generation of business support. The board consists of Chris Sargisson from The Norfolk Chambers of Commerce, Rebecca Headden from R13 Recruitment, Stokely Howard from Trendy Grandad Creative Agency, Warren Salmons from Morgan Sindall, Kerry-Anne Lyme from Larking Gown, and Alex Sellers from Turning Factor. They are backed by an advisory board of seven dedicated under 35s, who will provide a continuous feedback loop and guidance as to how to ensure the concept stays relevant. The event saw over 90 attendees of all industries and backgrounds. Presentations were delivered by James Groves, Rebecca Headden, and Stokely Howard, followed by an in-depth Q&A with the board. There was a wide mix of feedback and ideas from the audience, which will be used to shape and grow the concept moving forward. Mark Juniper of Ascott Lloyd says, “It was a great event and well organised. I really enjoyed it and the buzz in the room would have given you an idea that all the rest of the attendees did as well.” Grace Appleby of Yawn Marketing says, ‘It was an amazing atmosphere; to be in a room with people who feel so passionately about the same case – promoting and empowering young professionals – was electric”. As part of this offering, The Norfolk Chambers of Commerce has been working in collaboration with Stokely Howard from Trendy Grandad Creative Agency to deliver the highly successful GEN-E events. These are dynamic networking events for under 35s in Norfolk, each of which has seen an incredible response, the last of which sold 100 tickets in one hour.   Photo credit: Norfolk Chambers

Apprentice of the year – Intermediate and Advanced Level (Level 2/3) An apprenticeship isn’t just a qualification! Co.ngratulations Sam! We’re so proud of Sam’s journey with us here at the Norfolk Chambers of Commerce! Sam completed an apprenticeship in Business Administration, whilst being thrown in at the deep end in his role within our busy International Trade Department throughout Brexit. The training can be trying and complicated, but Sam worked brilliantly and we are thrilled to see his hard work is being recognised through this award! Meet Sam 

Our CEO, Chris Sargisson was proud to be on the panel of Judges for the Broadland and South Norfolk Business Awards. They received an excellent number of nominations, and are delighted to announce the finalists for 2022. Congratulations to all finalists and thank you to everyone who put their business forward for an award, or nominated their favourite retailer. You can read more on the Business Awards and view the full list of finalists here

Responding to the publication of the Levelling Up White Paper, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “This is an important first step in putting local economic prosperity at the heart of Government policy. This step though, must now rapidly become leaps and bounds. Business communities are keen to see the ambitions of this agenda turn into delivery in the very near future, improving prosperity around the country. “We are pleased to see policies the Chamber Network has long campaigned for – such as UK-wide infrastructure reaching London standards, widespread 5G internet, local skills planning and devolution of funding decisions to the local level – take real significance and be enshrined in law. “What must now follow is the detail on the role local business leaders will have in oversight and delivery of the missions laid out. Where necessary, additional funding must be made available in order to drive change. Government must not forget the role that local businesses play in creating opportunity and prosperity in their communities, and should continue to work with British Chambers of Commerce and others to identify further ways to improve the business environment and enable more firms to grow and thrive.” On Devolution “Chamber business communities across England support greater devolution. The centralisation of money and decision making in Whitehall continues to be a brake on cities, towns and counties that are keen to realise their potential. However, businesses only want to see devolution with purpose – not just devolution for its own sake. “Devolution must be shaped by business knowledge of local and regional needs, and be accountable to local businesses and communities. It is vital that time and energy spent on structural changes results in the acceleration of genuine uplifts to prosperity in our regions and nations. On Funding Allocation “Government has heeded our calls to streamline the variety of funding pots and will be taking a more strategic approach to funding. Accredited Chambers would like to see local areas receive larger funds to use within a strategic framework and given greater autonomy to use it to address areas of greatest challenge or opportunity in their local communities over the long term. Commenting on the White Paper, Chris Sargisson, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chambers said: Norfolk Chambers welcomes the ambitions and strategic timescales that underpin the 12 missions in the Levelling Up White Paper. “We certainly appreciate the decade-long range of the proposals, as this gives our business community greater confidence that Levelling Up is a serious and strategic reset. “We are also pleased to note that the East of England has not been lumped in with the largely affluent London and south east regions, as that allows Norfolk and neighbouring counties opportunities based on the realities we face, which are not always understood on a Whitehall spreadsheet. “If Norfolk is given its fair share of these investments, then the county will truly be able to make a catalytic and enduring contribution to long-term national prosperity due to our incredible strengths in renewables, ports and logistics and the broader land-based economy. “To do this, Norfolk needs proper investment in the required infrastructure and skills to unlock our full potential. The prospect of a County Deal, with more powers being exercised locally rather than from Whitehall could be a game-changer in accelerating Norfolk’s productivity drive and by releasing the full economic and social potential of our communities. We very much look forward to working with the county’s public sector partners to support the design of a county deal, and to bring the business voice to the table to ensure that the needs and aspirations of companies are understood so together we can put the best case possible to government for these spending freedoms.”

Responding to the Chancellor’s announcement on the cost-of-living crisis, Hannah Essex, Co-Executive Director of the BCC, said: “While assistance for households is welcome, businesses will be dismayed at the lack of support for those firms also struggling with their energy bills.  Many have already been hit by steep rises, with further significant spikes expected as existing fixed tariff contracts come to an end in the coming months. “Smaller firms are particularly exposed as they have neither the protections or financial support provided to households, nor do they have the negotiating power of larger businesses. “Without action, soaring energy bills will force many firms to raise prices further which will, in turn, fuel the cost-of-living crisis for consumers and further drive surging inflationary pressure. “The Government should expand of the Chancellor’s rebate and clawback scheme for households to include small firms, as well as delay the impending National Insurance rise. These steps would give firms a better chance to weather the current storm without needing to pass costs through to consumers in the form of price rises.”

5 days of knowledge, learning, and development We’re launching a brand-new week-long event from 21st to 25th March 2022 sponsored by MAD-HR. Festival of Knowledge is a week packed full of events across Norfolk covering a range of topics including climate change, cyber security, upskilling, personal development, and HR. These topics, and more, will be delivered through interactive workshops. training, guest speakers, and networking. There’s something for everyone. Monday will be in West Norfolk. Tuesday we will be in Great Yarmouth. Wednesday we will be in South Norfolk Thursday we will be in Norwich Friday we will be at the UEA in Norwich More details will be announced soon. Let’s Co.llaborate You can be a part of this inaugural event series and have the chance to raise your profile across Norfolk with our sponsorship packages. Find out more details about the packages below.  sponsorship_booklet_-_festival_of_knowledge_2022.pdf

On the second anniversary of Brexit, and with huge lorry queues being reported at Dover last week, the British Chambers of Commerce is calling for urgent action to improve trade with Europe.

With well over half of UK exporters (60%) surveyed by the BCC in November 2021 reporting difficulties in trading with the EU, an increase from 49% in January 2021, it is clear urgent action is needed.

Pictures of lorries stacked up on the A20, waiting to get into the port of Dover, also offer a vivid illustration of the problems continuing to impact the operation of the trade deal between the UK and the EU.

William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “The main issue at Dover currently appears to be linked to the export of food products across the Channel. Like many of the problems this looks to be down to a differing interpretation of how the trade arrangements work after leaving the EU.

“In this case we are hearing French customs require a wet signature on paperwork for exports of animal and plant products, but as much of the documentation is produced digitally this is creating hold-ups.

“It is the latest in a string of issues with the trade deal that speaks to the wider problems of interpretation, inconsistent application and glaring gaps in its coverage.

“No-one is expecting goods to flow as freely across the channel now as they did prior to Brexit. But the way the trade agreement is being interpreted in 27 different EU countries is a major headache for UK business – especially smaller firms without the cash reserves to set up new EU based arrangements.

“Yet it doesn’t have to be this way. It is possible for the UK Government and EU to take a pragmatic approach and work together to reach new understandings on a consistent interpretation of the rules and to build on them further.

“Accredited Chambers of Commerce support the UK Government’s ambition to massively increase the number of firms exporting. Freeing up the flow of goods and services into the EU, our largest and nearest overseas market, will go a long way to realising that goal.”

Liam Smyth, Managing Director of ChamberCustoms, added:

“At ChamberCustoms we work, day in and day out, with companies to help them navigate the complexities of international trade. We’ve seen a huge demand for our services in relation to trading with the EU since the implementation of the trade deal, and we know first-hand what difficulties firms on the ground are facing.

“If the UK Government and the EU are willing to takes action on these proposals from the Chamber Network it will serve to improve trading conditions and let businesses get on with growing our economy and generating prosperity.”

The BCC has set out five key issues, and the solutions needed, to improve EU trade.  They are:

ISSUE:             Export health certificates cost too much and take up too much time for SME food exporters.

SOLUTION:     We need a supplementary deal on this which either eliminates or greatly reduces the complexity of exporting food for SMEs.

ISSUE:             Some companies are being asked to register in multiple EU states for VAT in order to sell online to customers there.

SOLUTION:     We need a supplementary deal, similar to Norway’s with the EU. This exempts the smallest firms from the requirement to have a fiscal representative and incur these duplicate costs.

ISSUE:             As things stand CE marked industrial and electrical products will not be permitted for sale on the market in Great Britain from January 2023/4. The same is true for components and spares.

SOLUTION:     We need action from the Government to help businesses with these timelines. Many firms are far from convinced about a ban on CE marked goods in Great Britain.

ISSUE:             UK firms facing limitations on business travel and work activities in the EU.

SOLUTION:     Government needs to make side deals with the EU and member states to boost access in this area as a priority for 2022.

ISSUE:             Companies starting to be pursued in respect of import customs declarations deferred from last year.

SOLUTION:     We need a pragmatic approach to enforcement to ensure companies recovering from the pandemic do not face heavy-handed demands too quickly on import payments, or paperwork.

  Photo credit: Getty Images/ Chamber Canva Pro 2022

Norwich City Council have released their latest economic barometer. The report highlighted: Locally

• Lotus, based at Hethel outside Norwich, has unveiled its best annual global retail sales performance since 2011.
• Ashtons Legal, one of the region’s largest law firms, is to acquire Norfolk-based Steeles Law in a merger which will increase its team to 400 people. The combination will add Steeles’ office in Diss, to Ashtons’ existing offices in Norwich, Bury St Edmunds, Cambridge, Ipswich and Leeds.
• Business sentiment improved in December and employment levels rose at a faster pace as private firms in the East of England stayed confident about higher activity levels in 2022.
• Manufacturing exports from the region could rise significantly over the next decade if plans by firms to sell more goods overseas materialise according to a new study – The Export Dividend – from Barclays Corporate Banking.

Nationally

• The UK economy grew more slowly than previously thought in the third quarter, suggesting a shaky recovery even before the outbreak of the Omicron variant.
• December PMI data pointed to another solid increase in business activity across the UK construction sector, but the rate of expansion slipped to its lowest since September.
• UK households have suffered the sharpest fall in the amount of cash they have available to spend for almost eight years, amid a worsening cost of living crisis driven by high 5 inflation and rising energy bills.
• The number of insolvent businesses in England and Wales rose by 18.7 per cent last month to 1,674, up from 1,410 in October and an increase of 88 per cent on November last year

For full details of the latest economic barometer click here. Photo credit: Getty Images/ Chamber Canva Pro 2022

Norfolk businesses are the voice of this great county, and we all know how hard everyone works to push forward and carve out a successful business profile. The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise recognises the innovation and services provided by British businesses to the local, national and international markets. The awards also highlight the hard work and focus of running a successful business too. With 200 national businesses receiving these awards- there are four categories;

• International trade
• Innovation
• Sustainable growth
• Promoting opportunity

There have been many Norfolk-based winners in previous years – could your business be this year’s winner?  Recent local winners included Liftshare in Norwich, Snap-on in King’s Lynn, and Panel Graphic in Loddon. Liftshare’s CEO, Ali Clabburn, said of the recognition: “Winning the award in 2008 was a huge honour, but to have won it again 11 years later is a testament to the incredible work my team has done to help companies and individuals to travel more sustainably. We are constantly innovating to provide our clients with cutting-edge technology, alongside proven behavioural change techniques to guarantee the schemes we implement are a success.  Working with our base of over 700 clients to help them change and improve the way their staff travel is so satisfying, and their success really is our success.  The bigger and better their schemes become, the larger our network grows.” If you think your business deserves a Queen’s Award for Enterprise, you can find out more information on how to enter and what winning an award could mean for you and your employees by attending a free business breakfast meeting at  St Walstan Hall, Norfolk Showground on Thursday 10 March 2022. The event will commence with an introduction from Jake Humphrey and speakers will include Andy Wood, Adnams and Jamie Thums, Lintott Control Systems – both previous winners, who will talk about the benefits of winning the Queen’s Award for Enterprise. Breakfast will be served from 07.45 and the presentations will start at 08.00. Th event will conclude just before 09.00. Start your winning journey – book your free place now. The event is generously supported by Norfolk County Council, Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association, Eye Film and Production Bureau.