Chamber launches inclusive new Championing Business programme for local business and global trade

July 15, 2020

The Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce is delighted to announce the launch of an exciting new community-wide business initiative to help foster individual and collective growth, and forge cohesive working partnerships and engagement within our local areas.

The inclusive Championing Business programme – which incorporates Local Business Champions and Global Trade Champions – is open to all businesses from the smallest independent micro-business to the largest exporter, irrespective of whether they are a Chamber member or not.

Local Business Champions are representatives of any business in our region that want to be part of a community that drives activities for the benefit of the whole community, that want to play a part in the success of our local economy, and are committed to working collectively to promote and drive the economy forward.

The Chamber believes that, collectively, we can achieve more, and that is what being a Local Business Champion is all about. Business owners simply need to sign-up via the Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce website.

Abtec Industries Ltd in Wisbech, Encocam in Huntingdon and and Cannon Tomlinson Mansley Ltd (ctm IT) in Stow-cum-Quy are among the first businesses supporting the Local Business Champion initiative.

Abtec Industries Sales Director, Michelle Ring says:  “More than ever, the need for successful small businesses is paramount. Ours is a local business that thinks nationally and internationally. Abtec wishes to play its part in helping companies succeed by passing on how it has managed business growth through the pandemic.”

Helen Dighton, Head of Sales & Marketing at Encocam, says: “The Local Business Champion initiative is a great way to share knowledge and experience. We all have so many things demanding our attention that other businesses’ intelligence can be a huge help and save precious time and energy. Encocam is delighted to be a part of this scheme and hope to both learn from others as well as share our experience.”

Rupert Davey, Managing Director of Cannon Tomlinson Mansley Ltd (ctm-IT), said: “Now, more than ever, it’s important for businesses to support each other.  The Local Business Champion initiative from the Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce is perfectly timed and we’re really excited to be involved.

“Having provided IT support and technology services to hundreds of firms over the last over 20 years, we’re really looking forward to working with the Chamber, its members and the wider business community, on this initiative.

“The entire ctm IT Support team are passionate about the success of local, and national, businesses because when businesses work together, we can all succeed.”

The Chamber also wants to help facilitate vital conversations around the relevance and applicability of proposed interventions and strategies for our business community, and encourage contribution to consultations on policy issues that support the development and delivery of activities in the local economy (i.e. planning, transport, funding, etc). The initial focus will be recovery and rebuilding the economy.

In anticipation of developments up to and after the Brexit transition period has ended, the Global Trade Champions initiative will provide participants with information and resources to continue to trade successfully.

The Chamber already provides access to export documentation and trade support at a local and national level – and being a Global Trade Champion will help to facilitate more trade in the coming months and years. Anyone interested can find details on the Chambers website.

Commencing on Thursday 23 July, the Chamber will hold fortnightly Championing Business sessions, highlighting important issues and updates, and where businesses will be given the opportunity to share their insights and experiences, and input into important decision-making and key policy developments for our region. Business owners can register for the event via the Chamber website and via Eventbrite.

John Bridge OBE DL, Chief Executive of Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce, commented: “One of the most important points about this initiative is that it is fully inclusive. Recent times have shown the need for businesses to come together and build a different and more inclusive future for themselves, for the benefit of all. And this is something that needs to be encouraged.

“As we continue to navigate unprecedented times, let’s stay informed, be inclusive and access the right information at the right time.

“Being a Local Business Champion and / or a Global Trade Champion allows us to build proficiency and level-up our business community. Additionally, our Championing Business events will allow companies to come together and share experiences and expertise so that we can all work together to promote and drive the local economy forward.”