The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) today launches its flagship Chamber Business Awards at the London Stock Exchange. London Chamber of Commerce & Industry members AnyJunk, last year’s winner of the ‘Business of the Year’ award, has the honour of opening the day’s trading.

The prestigious competition is one of the showpiece events in the business calendar, recognising and promoting the best of British business through a series of regional heats, culminating in a Gala Awards Dinner, which will take place at Tobacco Dock, London on 29 November.

Entries open today and will be accepted until midnight on Friday 29 June. This year’s winner of the Business of the Year award will have the same chance to open the market at the London Stock Exchange as a prize, a rare opportunity for a private business. 

Companies can enter nine categories, covering exports, small business, exemplary employers, technology, high-growth, customer commitment, partnerships with the education sector, digital communications, and workplace wellbeing.  Sponsors of this year’s awards include Bibby Financial Services, DHL, Legal and General, The London Stock Exchange, Qdos Consulting and RADA in Business.

Francis Martin, President of the British Chambers of Commerce said:

“Businesses are the driving force of the UK economy, generating jobs, prosperity and growth. Every year, the Chamber Network celebrates the best of British business, and recognises their contribution to both local communities and the wider economy.

“Every time I visit Chamber member businesses I’m struck by the time and resources they invest in developing the technology and talent of tomorrow. The Awards acknowledge the relentless efforts of these businesses and their talented employees.

“Each year the calibre and diversity of applicants to the Chamber Business Awards surpasses our expectations, and we look forward to seeing the scope of great companies that apply this year.”

Jason Mohr of AnyJunk, Winner of the ‘Business of the Year’ award 2017, said:

“Everyone at AnyJunk is extremely proud to have been recognised in this way. To have been chosen from hundreds of companies across the UK is a huge honour and one we’ll do our very best to live up to. Getting to open the London Stock Exchange is definitely the icing on the cake.”

Marcus Stuttard, Head of UK Primary Markets & Head of AIM, London Stock Exchange Group said:

“We are proud to support the Chamber Business Awards and celebrate the best of British business. London Stock Exchange Group is committed to supporting the most ambitious firms, allowing them to scale and grow.”

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Notes to editors:

The Chamber Business Awards culminates in a Gala Dinner which will take place on 29 November 2018 at Tabacco Dock, London.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) sits at the heart of a powerful network of 52 Accredited Chambers of Commerce across the UK, representing thousands of businesses of all sizes and within all sectors. Our Global Business Network connects exporters with nearly 40 markets around the world. For more information, visit: www.britishchambers.org.uk

Media contacts:

Allan Williams – Head of Press and Communications

020 7654 5812 / 07920583381

Orla Hennessy – Press and Communications Officer

020 7654 5813 / 07825746812

Commenting on the Home Office’s statement on UK immigration policy during the planned transition period following the UK’s exit from the European Union, Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

“The BCC has long campaigned for an immigration system that supports the economy, so the UK government’s unilateral offer of rights for EU nationals during the transition period is a big step in the right direction.

“Since the vote to leave the European Union, employers across the country have sought assurances and clarity on the status of existing EU workers and those that arrive during the transition, so they will be pleased to finally have answers. This announcement will remove significant short-term uncertainty for families, businesses and wider communities.

“The government’s announcement means that employers can hire EU nationals during the transition period without expensive and unnecessary compliance issues, which too often hinder the ability of firms to recruit talent from overseas when necessary.

“Business will be pleased that during a time of record-high labour shortages, the government is showing a pragmatic approach to immigration. Firms will want to see this realism embedded in future migration policy when the UK leaves the EU.”

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Notes to editors:

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) sits at the heart of a powerful network of 52 Accredited Chambers of Commerce across the UK, representing thousands of businesses of all sizes and within all sectors. Our Global Business Network connects exporters with nearly 40 markets around the world. For more information, visit: www.britishchambers.org.uk

Media contacts:

Allan Williams – Head of Press and Communications

020 7654 5812 / 07920583381

Orla Hennessy – Press and Communications Officer

020 7654 5813 / 07825746812

Director General Adam Marshall comments on the latest migration figures.

Commenting on the migration statistics for the year to September 2017, published today by the ONS, Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

“These figures are no cause for celebration. At a time when businesses in every part of the country are seeing record skills shortages, falls in the levels of migration from the EU, for whatever reason, will only exacerbate the problem.

Our recent survey work showed that only 2% of firms look to hire directly from the EU in the first instance, preferring to hire locally. When skilled staff simply can’t be found, a fall in migration makes it harder for firms to maintain their existing performance – much less grow their business. The fact that skilled people are choosing not to come to the UK to work is a cause for real concern.” 

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Notes to editors:

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) sits at the heart of a powerful network of 52 Accredited Chambers of Commerce across the UK, representing thousands of businesses of all sizes and within all sectors. Our Global Business Network connects exporters with nearly 40 markets around the world. For more information, visit: www.britishchambers.org.uk

Media contacts:

Allan Williams – Head of Press and Communications

020 7654 5812 / 07920583381

Orla Hennessy – Press and Communications Officer

020 7654 5813 / 07825746812

Suren Thiru comments on the labour market statistics for February 2018.

“While the latest data confirms that the UK labour market remains a source of strength for the UK economy with another strong rise in employment, the first rise in the unemployment rate since mid-2016 suggests that a few cracks are starting to appear in an otherwise robust picture.

“Although there was a welcome pick-up in pay growth, inflation continues to outpace earnings growth. While firms are reporting some upward pressure on pay settlements amid a very tight labour market, more subdued economic conditions together with high upfront business costs are likely to limit the extent to which wages are likely to rise.

“The continued rise in job vacancies is further confirmation of the chronic skills shortages faced by businesses across the UK. Our own survey data confirms that the lack of available workers with the right skills continues to be a drag on overall business activity.

“It is vital that more is done to support firms looking to recruit and grow their business, including tackling the high up-front taxes and costs of doing business in the UK and ensuring companies have access to the workers they need to compete on the global stage.”

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Notes to editors:

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) sits at the heart of a powerful network of 52 Accredited Chambers of Commerce across the UK, representing thousands of businesses of all sizes and within all sectors. Our Global Business Network connects exporters with nearly 40 markets around the world. For more information, visit: www.britishchambers.org.uk

Media contacts:

Allan Williams – Head of Press and Communications

020 7654 5812 / 07920583381

Orla Hennessy – Press and Communications Officer

020 7654 5813 / 07825746812

Director General Adam Marshall comments on Brexit Secretary David Davis’ Vienna speech on standards and regulations once the UK leaves the EU.

Commenting on David Davis’ speech in Vienna, Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

“The Government’s commitment to maintaining high standards following the UK’s departure from the EU is an important step on the road toward greater clarity for business. 

“To deliver an environment where high standards underpin strong trade links, the UK must retain its leading role in both global and pan-European standard-setting. Standards are set by industry, for industry, and businesses expect the UK Government to take decisions that help secure our already-strong position.”

On regulation, Adam Marshall added:

“UK firms would welcome a pragmatic agreement between the UK and the EU that ensures businesses face only one set of regulatory approvals to sell their goods across borders. This is important to ensure business continuity and effective supply chains on both sides of the English Channel, in industries from cars to cables.

“It is incumbent on the UK Government to demonstrate the basis for mutual recognition between the UK and the EU – and it is the EU’s responsibility to be open to such an arrangement as the negotiations progress.”

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Notes to editors:

The standards applied by the EU on goods manufacture are developed by a range of industry bodies such as CENELEC in the case of standards for electrical equipment, at a European level, not just EU-wide.  They develop the standards in concert and consultation with similar bodies across the globe.  In the EU, their standards are generally adopted by the regulation.

An EU “regulation” is a binding legislative act. It must be applied in its entirety across the EU. For example, when the EU wants to make sure that there are common safeguards on goods imported from outside the EU, the Council adopts a regulation.

Harmonised EU standards mean that businesses can compete to sell the products they manufacture in a consistent and safe way, inside or outside of the EU.  Buyers can also be reassured that goods produced to a standard will be safe.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) sits at the heart of a powerful network of 52 Accredited Chambers of Commerce across the UK, representing thousands of businesses of all sizes and within all sectors. Our Global Business Network connects exporters with nearly 40 markets around the world. For more information, visit: www.britishchambers.org.uk

Media contacts:

Allan Williams – Head of Press and Communications

020 7654 5812 / 07920583381

Orla Hennessy – Press and Communications Officer

020 7654 5813 / 07825746812