Chamber talks growth and exports at 11 Downing Street

On Wednesday 2nd July Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne hosted a private breakfast meeting at 11 Downing Street with a dozen dynamic and fast-growing Chamber of Commerce businesses from across Britain. The discussion focused on practical ways to boost exports, business investment, and growth.

Led by British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Director General John Longworth and BCC President Nora Senior, the diverse Chamber delegation presented the Chancellor and his key advisers with a grass-roots view of the opportunities and challenges facing British companies, just as Westminster begins to gear up for the 2015 General Election.

The discussion also highlighted the key role played by Chambers of Commerce – as Britain’s premier private-sector source of advice and support for businesses seeking to trade the world. All participants agreed that the UK’s ambitious export targets required strong and vibrant business-to-business networks working hand in hand with government itself.

Rt Hon George Osborne MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer, said:

“Our long term economic plan is working and Britain is coming back. But the job is not yet done. For decades Britain has not been exporting enough or investing enough, which is why I have taken continued action to reform our export regime, and provide the necessary incentives to get businesses investing.

“The British Chambers of Commerce has a key role to play in the long-term plan that is delivering economic security for hardworking people by providing the government with quality advice on the policies that will really help their members prosper.”

John Longworth, Director General of the BCC, said:

“Britain’s future success depends on a closer partnership between business and government. In turn, that partnership depends on Westminster and Whitehall listening to the aspirations and concerns of Britain’s entrepreneurs and innovators, as well as the FTSE 100.

“Our frank discussion of real-world business issues with the Chancellor is the sort of exchange that should be at the heart of government engagement with business. Only by harnessing the potential of businesses across the whole economy will we see investment rise and exports grow in an increasingly cut-throat global context.

“Much of our discussion focused on international trade, where we are absolutely committed to working together with government to boost British exports. Chambers have been in existence for centuries to support international trade, and being a gateway for both new and existing exporters is still at the very heart of what we do.”

Lee Clarke Managing Director of Clarke & Clarke, who represented East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce at the meeting, afterwards said:

"It was an honour to represent the business community and members of the East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce; he said “international trade is essential for contributing to the Lancashire economy and with the support from the Chambers and Government; all businesses can confidently grow and thrive in this competitive world”

The following 12 leading regional businesses – all members of accredited Chambers of Commerce – were present at the meeting with the Chancellor and his advisers:

• Clarke & Clarke – Home fashion designers and suppliers, East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce

• Claridon Group – Logistics, Essex Chambers of Commerce

• Hart Doors – Specialist engineering, North East Chamber of Commerce

• Mechatherm – Suppliers to the aluminium industry, Black Country Chamber of Commerce

• Acs office solutions – IT, furniture, cloud and recruitment, Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce

• Trio Healthcare – Supplier of advanced healthcare products, West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce

• Morningside Pharmaceuticals – Supplier of pharmaceuticals and medical device products, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire Chambers of Commerce

• Barr and Wray – Water engineers for the leisure industry, Glasgow Chamber of Commerce

• Addmaster – Supplier of innovative additives, Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce

• Knight Scientific – Biotechnology, Plymouth Chamber of Commerce

• Outwrite PR – Public Relations, West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce

• Quantum Beauty Company Ltd – Haircare and beauty company, Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce

The East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce promotes the interests of business. Company owners and senior executives form and govern your Chamber to advocate on behalf of the business community and campaign for the general economic well-being of our area. In the UK, Chambers are not government bodies or institutions and have no direct role in the passage of laws and regulations: they do however advise government and lobby for favourable laws.

For more information visit: www.chamberelancs.co.uk  or contact Stef Heywood 01254 356454

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.