LEAPS & BOUNDS
ABOUT US
THE ULTIMATE BUSINESS NETWORK
The British Chambers of Commerce is an international, independent organisation and the UK’s Ultimate Business Network. By sharing opportunities, knowledge and know-how, our 55 local Chambers work together with our thousands of business members to grow and develop individuals, businesses, communities and ultimately, the nation’s economy.
GROWING BRITISH BUSINESS
As well as being the largest business network of its kind in the world with over 200 years’ experience, we also hold national purchasing power for products and services, and work alongside government to shape business-related policy. This enables us to provide small-to-medium UK businesses with practical support, useful connections and valuable access to new ideas and innovations. So even though we’re not-for-profi t, we’re powerfully placed to help those who are. For further information please visit:
We’ve changed. We’ve worked hard to defi ne our
brand promise of being The Ultimate Business Network.
And now, we’re working harder than ever to live by
that promise.
When we say we’ve changed, we’re not just talking
about ourselves. We’re making a big difference
for businesses around the country, helping them to
come on in leaps and bounds and get to where they
want to be.
Read on to fi nd out what it means to be part of
The Ultimate Business Network.
INTRODUCTION
GRO
WING SOMETHING
2 5 6 7 10 11 13 47 54 37 40 44 46 16 17 18 21 22 23 31 1 3 4 8 12 14 15 49 50 51 52 53 32 55 38 34 36 39 41 43 45 48 19 24 26 27 9 28 29 30 33 20 42 35 25
INTRODUCTION
GRO
WING SOMETHING
BRILLIANT
Here are the local Chambers that, together, make up The Ultimate Business Network. The case studies on the next pages explain just some of the different ways that businesses like yours have benefi ted from being part of it.
1. ABERDEEN & GRAMPIAN
www.agcc.co.uk
2. AYRSHIRE
www.ayrshire-chamber.org
3. BARNSLEY & ROTHERHAM
www.brchamber.co.uk
4. BEDFORDSHIRE & LUTON
www.chamber-business.com 5. BIRMINGHAM www.bci.org.uk 6. BLACK COUNTRY www.bccbl.com 7. BRADFORD www.bradfordchamber.co.uk 8. CAMBRIDGESHIRE www.cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk 9. CHANNEL www.channelchamber.co.uk
10. CHESTER, ELLESMERE PORT & NORTH WALES
www.cepnwchamber.org.uk
11. CORNWALL
www.ccci.org.uk
12. COVENTRY & WARWICKSHIRE
www.cw-chamber.co.uk
13. CUMBRIA
www.cumbriachamber.co.uk
14. DERBYSHIRE & NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
www.dncc.co.uk 15. DONCASTER www.doncaster-chamber.co.uk 16. DORSET www.dcci.co.uk 17. EAST LANCASHIRE www.chamberelancs.co.uk 18. EDINBURGH www.edinburghchamber.co.uk 19. ESSEX www.essexchambers.co.uk 20. FIFE www.fi fechamber.co.uk 21. GLASGOW www.glasgowchamber.org 22. GREATER MANCHESTER www.gmchamber.co.uk
23. HEREFORDSHIRE & WORCESTERSHIRE
www.hwchamber.co.uk
24. HERTFORDSHIRE
www.hertschamber.com
25. HULL & HUMBER
www.hull-humber-chamber.co.uk 26. ISLE OF WIGHT www.iwchamber.co.uk 29. LEICESTERSHIRE www.chamberofcommerce.co.uk 30. LINCOLNSHIRE www.lincs-chamber.co.uk 31. LIVERPOOL www.liverpoolchamber.co.uk 32. LONDON www.londonchamber.co.uk 33. MID YORKSHIRE www.mycci.co.uk
34. MILTON KEYNES & NORTH BUCKS
www.mk-chamber.co.uk
35. NEWPORT & GWENT
www.ngb2b.co.uk
36. NORFOLK
www.norfolkchamber.co.uk
37. NORTH & WESTERN LANCASHIRE
www.lancschamber.co.uk 38. NORTH EAST www.ne-chamber.co.uk 39. NORTH HAMPSHIRE www.nhcci.co.uk 40. NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE www.nscci.co.uk 41. NORTHAMPTONSHIRE www.northants-chamber.co.uk 42. NORTHERN IRELAND www.nicci.co.uk
43. PORTSMOUTH & SOUTH EAST HAMPSHIRE
www.chamber.org.uk 44. RENFREWSHIRE www.renfrewshirechamber.co.uk 45. SHEFFIELD www.scci.org.uk 46. SHROPSHIRE www.shropshire-chamber.co.uk 47. SOUTHERN STAFFORDSHIRE www.sscci.co.uk 48. ST HELENS www.sthelenschamber.com 49. SUFFOLK www.suffolkchamber.co.uk 50. SURREY www.surrey-chambers.co.uk 51. SUSSEX www.sussexenterprise.co.uk
52. THAMES GATEWAY (KENT)
www.tgcoc.co.uk
53. THAMES VALLEY
www.thamesvalleychamber.co.uk
54. WEST WALES
NORTHERN IRELAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
ANDRA
S HOUSE
THINK INTERNA
TIONAL TRADE
Andras House is a leading property development
and hospitality company based in Belfast, Northern
Ireland. Established in 1981, the company has an
extensive portfolio of offi ce, retail, hotel and leisure
developments.
Chairman and Chief Executive, Lord Diljit Rana is
convinced that the success of the business is tied to
the economic prospects of the region, “The success
of any business in Northern Ireland depends of course
on the prevailing economic conditions. Given that
our interests are in leisure and commercial property,
it is in our interests to play an active role in the
economic regeneration of the region, by engaging
with the right people.”
SOLUTION
Lord Rana has been involved with the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce for 25 years and believes it is the right organisation to represent the interests of local business. “The Chamber is different from other business
organisations in that, whilst it is part of a national network, it is fi rst and foremost focussed on the needs of the region. It understands local issues and opportunities and is able to represent the needs of all businesses effectively, whilst also providing practical support where needed.”
OUTCOME
Involvement with the Chamber has enabled Lord Rana to play an active role in efforts to transform the local economy. In particular, he has worked with the Chamber to organise a series of successful trade missions to India, designed to attract inward investment and trade, and change the image of the region. “These days Indian businesses bring many
millions of pounds into the economy every year. This opens up opportunities for international trade that simply were not there before and which benefi t businesses of all shapes and sizes. It changes the perception of the area too, which has helped to drive huge growth in tourism.” Lord Rana also believes that the Chamber plays a vital role in helping local businesses to grasp these opportunities, “In the case of Andras House, the Chamber has enabled us to engage with government on security issues in retail, with planners on property developments and co-ordinated public and private efforts to promote Northern Ireland as a tourist destination.”
PORTSMOUTH & SOUTH EAST HAMPSHIRE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
ANTROBUS
CHAR
TERED A
C
C
OUNT
ANT MAKES
THE RIGHT C
ONNECTIONS
Antrobus is a fi rm of Chartered Accountants and
Business Advisors, based in Petersfi eld, Hampshire.
When Mike Kirby took over the business two years ago,
he was a relative newcomer to the area and wanted to
establish himself in the local business community quickly.
“Whilst I only lived 25 miles away in Guildford,
I recognised that Petersfi eld is a very close community.
It was important to get involved with local businesses,
particularly as so many of our business leads come via
word of mouth.”
SOLUTION
Mike believed that joining several established business networks would enable the fi rm to be more proactive in engaging with local business leaders, but was keen to identify the right organisations before committing himself. “I looked at a number of options, but eventually
settled on the local Chamber of Commerce as a key organisation with which to be associated. The Chamber would provide us with a wealth of opportunities to mix with local business people, whilst giving us access to the kind of help and advice that can be so important for any small fi rm.”
Antrobus joined the Portsmouth & South East Hampshire Chamber of Commerce in July 2007, a year after Mike took over the fi rm.
OUTCOME
Mike feels that joining the Chamber has helped Antrobus to take a more structured approach to business networking, “The Chamber enables us to network with fi rms we can realistically view as potential clients – smaller and mid-size businesses. It has helped us to be more visible to the right people, which can only be good for business.”
Antrobus has also benefi ted from access to the Chamber’s HR advisory services, “We approached the Chamber’s HR service
for advice on a specifi c issue related to employment law. There is no doubt that the guidance we received gave us the confi dence to make the right decisions and successfully resolve the issue.”
A
S
TRUM
NETW
ORKING PUT FLEDGLING
FIRM ON THE MAP
Astrum-IP is the only patent fi rm based in the city
of Newport, home of the UK Patent Offi ce. But when
Managing Director Gillian Whitfi eld established the
fi rm three years ago she was concerned that a lack
of local business contacts would hold her back.
“Until then I had been working as a patent attorney for
a legal fi rm based in Bath. In this industry taking your
clients with you is frowned upon and wasn’t an option,
so fi nding a way to fi ll up my contacts book was easily
the most pressing issue I faced.”
SOLUTION
Gillian joined the Newport and Gwent Chamber of Commerce almost immediately, aware that it could provide an invaluable chance to network with local business leaders and establish a profi le for her own fi rm.
“I decided to attend a few Chamber networking events, to see for myself the benefi ts that membership might bring. I came away with two or three strong business leads so joining the Chamber was an easy decision.”
OUTCOME
Astrum-IP is now well established in the local business community, which has enabled Gillian to build an award winning business with a diverse client base.
“In the early days Chamber networking events were a vital source of business leads and created awareness through word of mouth. I am amazed these days when I look at the sheer volume of names in my contact book, especially when you consider where I started, and that success is in no small part thanks to those Chamber events.”
Today Gillian is vice-president of the Chamber, and in 2007 Astrum-IP was recognised as Overall Winner of Winners at The Five Counties Business Awards, “Winning awards is always good for reputation, whilst being elected vice-president enables me to meet and get to know some of the most infl uential business people in the area. Again, there is no doubt that helps me to meet and secure new clients.”
NEWPORT & GWENT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
OFF OFF ON ON EDINBURGH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ON
FLEXITRICITY
BES
T F
O
O
T
F
O
R
W
ARD
Flexitricity works with industrial and commercial energy
users to balance supply and demand for electricity,
helping the National Grid to maintain a stable system.
An innovative control system networks users’ standby
generators and switches off high demand equipment,
without impacting on users’ core business, to create a
low carbon ‘virtual power station’ that creates capacity
on the grid as required.
From the outset, Managing Director, Alastair Martin,
felt that fi nding the right support would be crucial to
the success of the business, “It is all very well having
a great idea, but if you fail to develop it into a viable
business it is worthless. To do that you need help and
advice, and for credible people to demonstrate belief
in the idea behind the business.”
SOLUTION
Flexitricity (then trading as Martin Energy Ltd) joined the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce in 2004. Alastair was convinced that it was the right organisation to support the development of his fl edgling business:
“As a start-up, we saw the Chamber as a great way to start to build a network of contacts and to raise awareness of the business nationwide. It is also an invaluable source of training and advice on everything from business planning to employment law.”
OUTCOME
The Chamber has given Flexitricity access to a wide range of useful resources. Alastair knows that professional training courses are available when he needs them, whilst the ability to network with business decision makers has been vital, “Energy managers understand our service and see the benefi ts immediately in terms of regulation, carbon footprint and cost savings. But the people we need to convince are the fi nance and operations directors who we have the opportunity to meet through Chamber events.”
Chamber membership also helped to generate vital publicity, after Flexitricity was named a ‘Most Promising New Business’ at the Chamber
Awards 2007:
“We have had lots of new sign ups in the last four months and winning this award certainly helped. It provided a ringing endorsement of the business and ensured we got lots of publicity. As such, it added a new dimension to our sales conversations.”
OFF ON
ON OFF
GREENBANK TERO
TECH
A PLA
TF
ORM F
OR INTERNA
TIONAL
TRADE GRO
WTH
Greenbank Terotech is a world leader in the
development, manufacture and installation of
innovative clean coal technologies. However,
Finance Director, Martin Killbery says the company’s
marketing and sales projections strongly indicated the
required levels of business growth lay in export sales,
“The UK market has accepted our technologies as
a cutting edge standard for effi ciency savings whilst
contributing towards legislative and targeted emission
reductions in the area we specialise and operate in.
Exporting our products to the world is our natural
route to long term growth.”
Five years ago the company was in need of export
know-how, “We simply did not have the expertise
required to develop export sales on the scale
we wanted. We were keen to learn from the best
sources how to achieve this route to market quickly
and seamlessly.”
DERBYSHIRE & NOTTINGHAMSHIRE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SOLUTION
Greenbank joined the Derbyshire & Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce in 2001, looking specifi cally for help establishing a successful export operation.
“It was key to get our people up to speed on areas such as origin certifi cation, working with letters of credit to guarantee payment, export terminology and documentation, funding and market penetration. It was vital that we built a professional platform to understand and manage effectively the risks and challenges associated with entering overseas markets.”
OUTCOME
The Chamber has given Greenbank access to a wide range of help and advice, with members of the management team attending training courses covering every aspect of export sales, “Our commercial manager attended a four day
ITOPS course and gained a qualifi cation in export administration, which is vital to running a professional, credible export operation.” The Chamber also helped Greenbank fi nd funding and understand how best to approach specifi c overseas markets, “The Chamber helped us to use government Passport to Export Success match funding to translate our literature into local languages and cover the cost of travel and exhibiting overseas. It has also provided a sounding board when it comes to deciding how to approach each market – making us consider whether the best approach is via local agents or joint ventures for instance.”
There is no doubt in Martin’s mind that the business is now primed for export success, “Our export sales broke the £1m mark last year.
The trusted advice we got from the Chamber gave us the knowledge and confi dence we needed to make that happen.”
MUSK
S
TRADITIONAL S
A
US
A
GE MAKER
EA
SES GRO
WING P
AINS
Musk’s is a traditional sausage maker, based in
Newmarket, Suffolk. The fi rm’s sausages are handmade
in small batches, using a recipe established by founder,
James Musk, in 1884.
When Chris Sheen acquired Musk’s in 1999, the fi rm
employed seven people but was losing money.
Chris knew that establishing a network of support
would be vital to turning its fortunes around,
“Pumping money into a loss-making business can
be a lonely experience. I needed a sounding board
and somewhere I could turn for advice and guidance
I could trust.”
SUFFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
SOLUTION
Musk’s joined the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce in 2000. Chris saw the Chamber as an invaluable source of legal and human resources expertise, and information on local and economic issues, “Returning the business to profi t would demand a lot of tough decisions and we had to get them right fi rst time.”
Over the last seven years, Chris has relied on the Chamber for help and advice on everything from employment law and repackaging to economic surveys, “I always know there will be someone there who can give me answers, or put me in touch with the right people, for instance helping us to work closely with Trading Standards on a packaging redesign.”
OUTCOME
Today Musk’s has returned to profi t and is growing steadily. It employs 30 people and has acquired The Braughing Sausage Company in Hertfordshire. Chris believes that joining the Chamber played an important role in turning the business around.
“Putting the business back on track required a combination of hard work and good judgement. The Chamber helped us to make the right decisions and gave us the confi dence we needed to act upon them. We relied on it for legal and employment advice from day one and we still do. It helped us to steer the right course in the early days and eases the growing pains as we move forward today.”
LOCAL
SKILLS
NOR
THUMBRIAN W
A
TER
CL
OSING THE SKILLS GAP
Northumbrian Water provides water and sewerage
services to 2.6 million people in the North East of
England. The business is a signifi cant employer in the
region but the growing skills shortage has made it more
diffi cult to fi nd and retain skilled people in certain areas.
Director of Corporate Affairs, John Mowbray, believes
that any steps to close the skills gap must benefi t the
region as a whole, “We are committed to playing
an active role in the regional economy. Our solution
to the skills gap had to be about fi nding and keeping
local talent.”
SOLUTION
Northumbrian Water turned to the North East Chamber of Commerce for help in delivering training programmes designed to address the skills issues.
“The idea is to provide opportunity for local people and create an environment in which they are happy and motivated. Training and development are excellent ways to fi nd and keep good people, but we needed the Chamber to advise us and provide the credibility of an independent voice.” In order to expand on the in-house training options already available for employees Northumbrian Water teamed up with the North East Chamber of Commerce, which helped them benefi t from the Learning and Skills Council Train to Gain programme. In turn, this has led to employees being recognised for their excellence at work and achieving qualifi cations.
John believes that the Chamber played a vital role in getting the scheme off the ground, “No matter the size of the business, you always
need a sounding board. We were able to turn to the Chamber for advice on local skills issues, sources of training, and to deliver training in some areas. It made a huge difference to the quality of the scheme, and to people’s willingness to get involved.”
OUTCOME
Closing the skills gap in the region is a long term programme, but John is confi dent that Northumbrian Water has taken signifi cant steps in the right direction to fulfi l its skills pledge to its staff.
“The 2007 inaugural Northumbrian Water Skills Awards recognised individual achievement, and included two specifi c awards; the North East Chamber of Commerce Vocational Excellence Award and the Northumbrian Water Exceptional Achievement Award. Our internal scheme is well under way and, so far, around 130 people have received training. It is an incredibly positive step for everyone involved.”
PIRA
TE FM
RADIO IS A
T
THE HEAR
T OF
THE L
OCAL C
OMMUNITY
Pirate FM is a commercial radio station serving
communities right across Cornwall. Managing Director,
Beverley Warne, believes that balancing the station’s
commercial interests with a commitment to operating
as a true community radio station is critical to its
success, “Being in tune with local people is what keeps
us relevant and entertaining, but it is also vital to
securing our commercial success through advertising.”
In 2000, Beverley was keen to move the station’s
engagement with local businesses onto another level,
to strengthen relationships and open up new
commercial opportunities, “We have always walked
side by side with local businesses, but we really wanted
to walk arm in arm.”
SOLUTION
Beverley was aware of the networking opportunities open to members of the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, and decided to get Pirate FM involved.
“The Chamber represented an ideal opportunity to forge closer links with businesses of all shapes and sizes and stay up to date with local news and issues. What’s more, it promised to be a useful source of business leads, especially from hard to reach businesses.”
OUTCOME
Joining the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce has helped to strengthen Pirate FM’s bond with the local community, whilst providing access to a network of businesses from across the region. “We’ve been able to really up the ante in terms
of our engagement with businesses. We meet decision makers rather than gatekeepers, which has obvious benefi ts for our commercial activities, but also opens the door to a wealth of knowledge and experience both face to face and via a dedicated email system for Chamber members.”
Pirate FM is going from strength to strength. It is a Patron of the Chamber and often working together to promote Pirate FM’s charitable arm, the Pirate Trust, which raises money to help those in need throughout Cornwall. Pirate FM has twice been named Station of the Year at the prestigious Sony Awards with judges describing the station as, “…totally at home in its area. Skilful at getting
out and about and providing a great sounding board for its audience...”
ROUND F
OUNDR
Y
A HUB F
OR BUSINES
S SER
VICES
Based in Leeds, Round Foundry Media Centre provides
serviced offi ce accommodation and infrastructure for
the digital, media and creative industries.
Centre Manager Deborah Walsh believes that the
centre’s ability to offer more than serviced offi ce space
is vital to its continued success, “Our customers are
mainly small and medium sized businesses so we need
to do more than put a roof over their heads. They often
need access to specialist advice, so it is important that
we are able to point them in the right direction.”
LEEDS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
SOLUTION
Round Foundry Media Centre joined the Leeds Chamber of Commerce three years ago and was heavily involved from the outset, “My predecessor joined the council from day
one and I will do the same in the near future.” Membership gives the centre access to a wide range of resources, from information and advice, to networking events and specialist seminars – expertise and information that can all be passed on to resident businesses.
OUTCOME
Deborah believes the Chamber plays a key role in helping the centre provide a rounded service for businesses, “Membership enables us to meet with a wide range of local business people and gives us access to expert advice on everything from funding and marketing to IP protection. All of this ensures we can point our customers in the right direction when they come to us for advice, which is incredibly valuable in terms of our reputation for supporting businesses.”
Membership also has direct benefi ts for the centre, particularly when it comes to tailoring and promoting its services.
“It’s a very useful resource that keeps us up to date on issues like the environment, transport, job creation and the local economy. The insight we gain ensures we understand the needs of our customers and can react accordingly. There is no doubt that our close involvement also helps to raise our profi le, for instance hosting Chamber events allows us to showcase our facilities and build relationships with local businesses.”
ST HELENS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
S
T
HELENS RLF
C
L
OCAL HEROES
St Helens RLFC was established in 1873, was a founder
member of the breakaway Northern Union in 1895
and is the modern era’s most successful team.
The club takes pride in its active involvement in the
local community and Chief Executive, Tony Colquitt
believes that it plays an important role in defi ning the
image of the area.
“We have a responsibility to play an active role in
economic regeneration – both by representing the
town in a positive way and by helping to make it a
better place to do business. What is good for St Helens,
is also good for this club”
SOLUTION
St Helens RLFC joined the St Helens Chamber of Commerce fi ve years ago, and Tony is convinced that by working together they can make a difference, “The Chamber is focussed on economic regeneration, for instance liaising with local planners and the council on inward investment and working to bring new companies to the area. It is also very good at helping existing business be more successful, which in turn makes the area more attractive.” Over the last 12 months the rugby club has been more proactive in engaging with the Chamber, a move that coincided with Tony’s arrival, “The focus now is on working in partnership for the good of the area.”
OUTCOME
Tony feels that a closer relationship with the Chamber is already bearing fruit,
“Working with the Young Chamber has brought new impetus to our work with local schools. Equally, the chance to meet with local business leaders brings us closer to the issues whilst allowing us to secure or strengthen sponsorship agreements that are good for everyone concerned.”
The club has also taken advantage of training and marketing resources available through the Chamber, “Our retail staff have attended customer relationship and negotiation training, whilst advertising in Chamber internal publications is a great way to reach the right people – local businesses.”
S
T
ARGA
TE-TRAPEZIA
A NETW
ORK F
OR INVES
T
ORS
AND SERIOUS ENTREPRENEURS
StarGate Capital Investment Group is a fund
management corporate and fi nance fi rm. It invests
in emerging opportunities in markets underserved by
banks and the traditional fund management industry,
for instance via Trapezia, a venture capital programme
investing exclusively in women-focused businesses.
Gita Patel, is one of the founders at StarGate and
the driving force behind Trapezia. She recognises
that female entrepreneurs represent one of the fastest
growing segments of the major developed economies,
but often want specialist advice alongside investment,
“Women don’t just want debt and equity, they want
LONDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SOLUTION
StarGate has been a member of the London Chamber of Commerce for just over a year, with Gita sitting on the Asian Business Association committee.
Gita believes that the networking opportunities that come with membership are hugely benefi cial, “We are always on the look out for scaleable businesses that need funding, and engaging in the business community is important. That means understanding the issues they face as well as their plans for the future. Chamber events are a good setting for those kinds of conversations.”
OUTCOME
Gita is convinced that StarGate’s involvement with the Chamber will bear fruit over time, “It is all about meeting the right people.
At Chamber events, I am much more likely to meet decision makers, whilst attending events organised by its Women in Business group helps us to better understand the issues they face, gain further market intelligence and identify investment opportunities.”
Networking through the Chamber also helps create trust, according to Gita, “Speaking at events organised for women in business raises our profi le as investors, but the fact that the Chamber is a trusted network is also important. It helps people to understand that we are fair and realistic with the companies we invest in and are able to add value through management support.”
TYRRELLS
HELL
O W
ORLD
Based in Herefordshire, Tyrrell’s is the only UK chip
maker to grow its own potatoes and process them into
chips on the farm, controlling the whole process from
seed to chip.
Two years ago, the company had begun to set its
sights on overseas markets, in part driven by strong
interest at trade shows. But Export Manager, Alan Jack,
believes the fi rm faced challenge and opportunity in
equal measure:
“Every trade show brought new interest, but export
isn’t something you can just pick up and run with.
You have to have the right contacts and processes
in place and pick the right opportunities. At the time,
no-one at Tyrrell’s had any experience of export
operations. The business needed help to make the
most of a golden opportunity.”
HEREFORDSHIRE & WORCESTERSHIRE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
SOLUTION
Tyrrell’s joined the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, specifi cally to access help and advice on export and international trade. Ever since, the business has worked closely with West Midlands Food and Drink Sector advisor, Helen Bethell to put in place a professional and profi table export operation.
“The team at the Chamber, and particularly Helen, helped us to build an export operation from the ground up, from paperwork and logistics to funding and fi nding customers.”
OUTCOME
Just two years on Tyrrell’s products are on sale in 35 countries worldwide and export income is set to reach £1.7m this year. Alan believes that much of this success came because the business had the right support when it mattered. “It has not just been about advice. The Chamber
has brokered relationships with customers all over the world, secured funding so we could exhibit at international trade shows and, most importantly, helped us to export profi tably. The Chamber was instrumental in our early success and continues to provide exceptional help and advice to this day.”
With such a positive outcome, it comes as no surprise that they were winners of the Award for Outstanding Business Achievement at the Chamber Awards 2007.
KEEP GRO
WING
This isn’t the end of these stories. There’s no telling
where they’ll grow next but we know we’ll be there
to support them.
What can we do for you and your business?
Find your local Chamber at britishchambers.org.uk
or call 02476 694484 to fi nd out how we can help
you grow something brilliant.
C
ONT
A
CT US
For more information on the British Chambers of Commerce and its Network of Accredited Chambers, please contact us using the various methods below: The British Chambers of Commerce
65 Petty France London SW1H 9EU Tel: +44 (0)20 7654 5800 Fax: +44 (0)20 7654 5819 Email: [email protected] The British Chambers of Commerce 4 Westwood House
Westwood Business Park Coventry CV4 8HS Tel: +44 (0)24 7669 4484 Fax: +44 (0)24 7669 5844 Email: [email protected]
www.britishchambers.org.uk
Design Elmwood Design www.elmwood.co.uk Printed onPaper from mixed sources Product from well-managed forests, controlled sources and recycled wood or fi ber.
