Update from Stuart Elford - Chief Executive
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I hope you are all having a great start to the year. We are seeing a real optimism and general excitement about the year ahead with so many fantastic events planned across the region and some certainty emerging from the mists of Brexit. Another mist didn’t dampen our spirits as we had an excellent ‘meet the neighbour’ event with Exeter Chamber this week at Exeter Racecourse. Although the racing was cancelled due to storm Brendan, the business ‘runners and riders’ still enjoyed a great lunch and meeting new contacts from across Devon. I was there again the next day to help with a regional spatial planning exercise, which is an initiative looking at the very long term infrastructure, assets and opportunities our region has. This in no way detracts from the current Local Industrial Strategies or the Great South West prospectus that has finally been submitted to the government and sets out the priorities and asks for our regional powerhouse to rival those further up the line. Bringing together the public, private and third sectors, the Chamber is leading the business voice for our region, which is growing stronger by the day. We will be stronger still as we grow the membership so please bring people to our events, introduce new members to the benefits of joining and help us all to Connect, Grow and Succeed. Thanks for your continued support.
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Is your business struggling to fill any particular skills gap?
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Please fill in the LEP skills survey below and get your voice heard.
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Feedback From Last Week
"Would Chamber Customs Declarations be of interest to you?
"
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Find out more about our upcoming international trade courses
here
.
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Working with the Heart of the South West LEP, Serco have commissioned Wavehill, a social and economic research company, to gather information on the skills gaps and training needs facing SME businesses now and over the next few years. Wavehill is conducting research into the skills needs of businesses (particularly SMEs) and barriers faced in providing training, to gather information that will help the Local Enterprise Partnership to shape and deliver their skills strategies. The evidence will also be used to create a greater understanding by the LEP of what interventions may be needed in the future. Wavehill have developed a survey for employers in the HotSW region, with more than 3 employees, to collect data on the skills needs of businesses and the survey will take around 15 minutes, depending on answers.
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Together We Have Helped Secure Important Changes for Business
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Highlighting the positive impact of the Chamber Network during 2019, we have put together the Chamber Network’s key campaign wins and key BCC stats from the year.
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Up and Coming Chamber Events!
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Interactive Crunchy Breakfast - The World is Digital
Thursday 6th February (8am - 10am)
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Defeating the fear of cutting-edge technologies must be taken seriously as one of the business sector's priorities. If you want to find out more about how to face this challenge in a dynamic environment come and join us at the Crunchy Breakfast. On this special occasion we will be introducing some interactive and experiential workshops to help you identify the best available technologies for your business in a hands-on experience. There is also the opportunity to exhibit at this event. If your business would like to exhibit, please contact
Daffne Zamudio
directly.
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Business Lunch at the Theatre Royal
Tuesday 18th February (11.30am - 2pm)
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Join us for the chance to see what goes on behind the scenes at Theatre Royal Plymouth with a backstage tour. If you've ever wanted to stand on the main stage in the spotlights, now's your chance!
This will all be followed by a delicious two-course lunch in the Theatre's restaurant, The Apron.
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Access to Finance Fair
Wednesday 25th March (8am - 3pm)
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This event aims to unravel some of the complex routes to commercial investment through a series of educational and impartial seminars throughout the day, as well as information and advice from a wide range of exhibitors from across the finance and investment sectors.
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Swing into Spring with the Devon & Plymouth Chamber Awards Dinner
Friday 24th April (6pm - 12am)
Dartington Hall, Totnes
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This spectacular black-tie event will take you back in time by welcoming in the Spring with an evening full of style and elegance, and a celebration of our members' success stories. Hosted by the BBC's David Fitzgerald we will be recognising and promoting the best of what businesses in Devon have to offer. Carry on celebrating in to the night by dancing to our amazing live swing band and join in the fun draw supporting both the Chestnut Appeal and Brain Tumour Research. Sponsored by Santander Plymouth.
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There is also the opportunity to sponsor an award. If you would like to find out more information on sponsorship, please click
here
.
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New and Improved International Trade Training Courses for 2020!
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To further support those trading internationally or wanting to trade internationally. Devon & Plymouth Chamber of Commerce run a series of special skills and international trade training courses, accredited by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) that cover the critical steps for any new or existing international trade.
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New Incoterms 2020 booklets available now! Contact the International Trade team at
[email protected] to get yours.
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The New Workplace Walking Challenge - Let's Walk
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Join Active Devon in February for Devon’s biggest month-long workplace walking challenge. Take part for free. Get a team of colleagues together, record your steps, compete against other businesses across Devon, climb the leader board and be in with a chance to win great prizes. You can transform your health, your business and the world around you. Let’s Walk.
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The Box Announces Public Art Commissions by Two International Artists
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As excitement builds for the opening of The Box later this spring, the first two names on its ambitious contemporary art programme have been revealed – internationally acclaimed British artist Antony Gormley and leading Portuguese installation artist Leonor Antunes. Click
here
for further information.
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To celebrate their recent membership of the Devon & Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, Ground Up Cookery School would like to invite fellow members to 50% off their Introduction to Curing at Home Course this weekend (18th January 2020). Just use code “chamber50” when checking out.
You will have the opportunity to make and taste bacon, chorizo and cured salmon. These can then be taken home to share with your friends and family. The recipes are all easily made at home with no specialist equipment required. There will be lots of practical experience and delicious tasters leaving you full and inspired. Offer price just £72.50.
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Microsoft Maker Champion: STEM Skills Workshops for Girls in Years 6-8
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We are delighted to announce that Microsoft’s long-running Maker Champion programme for Year 6, 7 & 8 students will be coming to Plymouth and Exeter in January 2020. In a world being transformed by technology, developing young people’s digital skill-set is now more important than ever before. Coupled with this, there is a need to address the current gender imbalance in the STEM sector and bring more women into technology. These Maker Champion workshops aim to spark curiosity and act as a catalyst for developing female pupils’ digital skills
for the future.
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Research Festival
Friday 24th January (9.30am - 1.30pm)
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The University of Plymouth is holding this event to drive innovation. The session will explore the characteristics of a successful industry-university partnership; one that can drive improved productivity, profitability and innovative solutions to real world problems, while maximising research and development in the region.
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Wellbeing at Work Programme Update
Wednesday 29th January (9.30am - 12pm)
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Anyone who either works for, or is involved with, any business or organisation within Plymouth who is interested in improving the health and wellbeing of their staff or colleagues is welcome to attend this event. Click
here
to read more.
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Maritime UK SW Business Forum
Friday 31st January (8.30am - 4.30pm)
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A one-stop-shop for skills, trade, innovation, finance and supply chain opportunities in the ocean economy. This free all-day event is managed by the UK South Coast Marine Cluster with event partners the Marine Business Technology Centre and the Met Office.
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Face Your Fears - Top Tips on Public Speaking, Media Training and Presentations
By Alexis Bowater
Friday 31st January (9am - 4pm)
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Join Alexis Bowater for this new event for 2020 - top class media training and speech training from the front line. If you feel a bit wobbly at the thought of public speaking, this one day course is for you. Join Alexis for a day of confidence building and top tips from 20 years of public speaking and media experience both in front and behind the camera. In the fast paced media world of 2020 every business needs to be camera ready and on point, fully prepared to speak at any time, to anyone. Learn the secrets of success and tricks of the trade to overcome the barriers to your success. Alexis
hopes that you will be able to make it and looks forward to seeing you in a few weeks time
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Plymouth Growth Forum
Tuesday 11th February (9.30am - 12pm)
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Inspire is a not-for-profit business organisation which has provided high value support to the SME business community through their highly experienced team of advisors for over 20 years. As part of this launch event, they have partnered with Goldman Sachs
10,000 Small Businesses
UK programme to showcase this valuable package of support to businesses in the Heart of the South West of England.
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Influence the Development of a New Postgraduate Course in Social Enterprise
Wednesday 12th February (12pm - 2.30pm)
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Join the University of Plymouth and Social Enterprise Mark CIC at this focus group, which will test out the ideas on possible course content collected from a roundtable event held in London in January, to gain further feedback to inform development of the final course.
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Building Brands Conference
Wednesday 25th March (12pm - 5pm)
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Nash & Co is running a marketing conference in March at the Sherwell Centre in Plymouth. The principle aim for Building Brands is to help create more of a marketing “community” for the area. As part of this, they also want to see interesting and innovative conferences take place roughly every 6 months or so. Click
here
to read more.
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Are you a chamber member and would you like
to sponsor this newsletter?
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Please e-mail
[email protected]
if this is of interest to you and you wish to find out more.
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