Suffolk Chamber's Manifesto for Business Is Launched!
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ChamberSpring 2018 Voice Suffolk Chamber’s manifesto for business No More Not-SpotS campaign is launched! aims for 100% mobile coverage SaNdy MartiN Mp on the role of business in society Q&a with Norse Group’s sales director Jules Shorrock on workplace www.suffolkchamber.co.uk Tel. 01473 680600 harassment and discriminationChamberVoice 2018 1 Chamber Welcome President’s CEO welcome address These are busy and exciting times for Suffolk Reading through Chamber of Commerce. this issue of Firstly, our signature campaign – No More Chamber Voice, A14 Delays in Suffolk – received a major boost I’m impressed with late last year (see page five for details). After the sheer range of months of evidence gathering and lobbying, different voices Highways England released its Strategic Road represented in it. Network Initial Report and designated the A14 But then, this in Suffolk as a “current, planned and potential accurately reflects expressway”. the growing diversity and agility of our There are still a number of hurdles to jump business community and the county’s over, but the indications at this stage is that this wider society. road of national importance is closer to being There are articles by two of Suffolk’s most upgraded than ever before. prominent businesswomen. On page eight Secondly, we actively supported the launch of Jules Shorrock, chair of Suffolk Chamber in the British Chambers of Commerce’s No More Lowestoft and Waveney, recounts her Not-Spots campaign in March (see page three). own experience of gender discrimination The aim of the campaign is straightforward: by and her wise words to others as to how to 2020 UK phone users will no longer experience deal with such issues. not-spots for voice coverage in locations used On page 20, Ginny Idehen, chair of Suffolk for home, work, travel or play. Business Women, talks about the group’s It is vital that businesses and residents submit successes, ongoing challenges and future their own experience of not-spots to their plans to broaden its remit. operators in order make the best case possible We are also fortunate to be carrying for improved coverage in each affected area. interviews with two of the county town’s You can also raise issues via Twitter, using most high-profiled personalities and hashtag #shareyournotspot. Please don’t rely on regulations, improving access to all markets and passionate advocates: Terry Baxter, chair others to do it! giving business the tools to do the job. of Ipswich Central and managing director Finally, we have placed these two campaigns, Suffolk Chamber’s five town areas and two of Inspire Suffolk, and Sandy Martin MP. alongside the dozens of other initiatives in which sectoral boards are now developing specific There is a detailed Q&A on pages 12 and we are involved, into a broader strategic context manifestos of their own within the framework 13 with Geoff Tucker of Suffolk Chamber by launching our Manifesto for Business (see established by this Suffolk Chamber document. patron Norse Group, which showcases the page three). So, as you can see, there is much to be company’s incredible strengths and We have identified the current strengths of optimistic about – and your Chamber is at the ambitions. the Suffolk economy, its future potential and the heart of ensuring a prosperous future for the Talking of patrons, I’m delighted to improvements and investment needed to realise county. welcome aboard our 16th – PeoplePlus that future. (page six). Suffolk Chamber’s campaigning will focus on John Dugmore In addition, this edition carries updates on three key issues: reducing unnecessary Chief Executive two schemes in which Suffolk Chamber is playing a role: Improving Wellbeing & Health initiative (page four) and the Contents University of Suffolk’s ground-breaking course on international transportation 3 No More Not-Spots campaign launched 11 Two great Chamber benefits (page five) – a must-attend for those in the 4 Lowestoft Vision goes for renewal 12-13 Greg Tucker of Norse Group answers haulage and logistics sectors involved in 5 A14 campaign edges closer to success some key questions importing and exporting. 6 PeoplePlus becomes 16th Chamber patron 14-15 Suffolk Chamber member news I could go on, but there isn’t the space 7 Business advice columns 16 Suffolk Chamber February networking lunch except to say that I hope you enjoy this 8 Q&A with Jules Shorrock 17 Suffolk Chamber Prestige Dinner issue of your business magazine. 9 Sandy Martin MP’s priorities 18-19 New Suffolk Chamber members 10 Q&A with Terry Baxter 20 Ginny Idehen on Suffolk Business Women Graham Abbey, President Suffolk Chamber of Commerce Chamber Patrons South Kiln, Felaw Maltings 42 Felaw Street, Ipswich IP2 8SQ Tel: 01473 680600 Fax: 01473 603888 Email: [email protected] Web: www.suffolkchamber.co.uk Advertising: [email protected] Design: Features Design, Archant Printed by: Stephens & George Cover pictures: David Garrad 2 ChamberVoice 2018 www.suffolkchamber.co.uk Tel. 01473 680600 Chamber News Suffolk Chamber’s new manifesto ‘builds on our campaigning successes’ uffolk’s leading business membership Picture: David Garrad organisation has unveiled its manifesto for Sthe next three years, setting out the priorities it will be campaigning for on behalf of both its members and the wider business community. Titled A Manifesto for Business, Suffolk Chamber of Commerce has identified the current strengths of the Suffolk economy, its future potential and the improvements and investment needed to realise that future. Chief executive John Dugmore says: “Suffolk Chamber believes the potential future for the county is one characterised by an innovative, internationally successful and diverse economy, high value and high waged jobs and a strong education sector delivering a skills base that is as good as any in the country. “We are also looking to attract increasing levels of inward investment that delivers business and economic growth while ensuring a balance with the county’s attractive Suffolk Chamber’s manifesto was launched at Wherstead Park in February. countryside, towns and villages.” Suffolk Chamber’s campaigning will focus on Better Business For All. how Suffolk is marketed to the rest of the three key issues: Suffolk Chamber is also seeking country and internationally to promote greater ● reducing unnecessary regulations improvements in procurement opportunities investment. ● improving access to all markets so that all local public sector partners better In giving businesses the tools to do the job, ● giving business the tools to do the job. engage with businesses when deciding upon Suffolk Chamber is especially keen for a their supply chain contracts. streamlined and simplified planning system to Under the theme of reducing regulations, the In terms of improving access to markets, as ensure the interests of businesses are better chamber wants a reform of business rates, well as road, rail and telephony infrastructure heard, both in the development of new local including the removal of all plant and upgrades, the chamber will be stepping up our plans and through more business-friendly machinery from the valuation of property and campaigns for improved international trade planning practices that explicitly support a continued roll-out of initiatives, such as support for Suffolk firms and a sharpening of economic and business growth. Suffolk Chamber backs launch of ‘No More Not- Spots’ campaign, urges businesses to participate n March the British Chambers mobile phone network doesn’t order make the best case possible of Commerce (BCC) launched meet their needs in accessing new for improved coverage in each Iits campaign for ‘No More and existing customers, suppliers affected area. Not-Spots’, with the aim of ending and employees. “You can also raise issues via not-spots for voice coverage John Dugmore, Suffolk Twitter, using hashtag where UK phone users live, work, Chamber’s chief executive, says: #shareyournotspot.” travel and play. Suffolk Chamber “The aim of the campaign is Dr Adam Marshall, director of Commerce is fully in support of straightforward: by 2020 UK general of the BCC, added: “A this much-needed campaign. phone users will no longer reliable mobile phone signal is one The UK’s leading business group experience not-spots for voice of the most basic requirements for has launched a campaign that will coverage. any business, as more and more bring together business “Suffolk Chamber’s No More conversations and transactions communities and those involved in Not-Spots campaign will raise take place while people are on the delivering coverage to identify awareness of the issue among go. Unfortunately, dropped calls coverage challenges and work businesses and residents and will and poor signal remains an issue in through solutions to improve poor encourage them to report many areas across the UK. mobile coverage. not-spots to their operators. “We will be campaigning for an Not-spots, and areas of partial “We are asking people to selfserve/215e/ end to mobile phone ‘not spots’ all not-spots hamper UK businesses. register their not-spots both with shareyournotspots#? across the UK, so businesspeople A recent survey by the BCC of their mobile service provider and “It is vital that people submit can connect to customers, over 1,400 companies, found that with the BCC at www.research. their own experience of not-spots suppliers and staff – and so local a fifth (21%) of firms say the UK britishchambers.org.uk/survey/ via their operators’ websites in communities can better connect.” www.suffolkchamber.co.uk Tel. 01473 680600 ChamberVoice 2018 3 Chamber News Improving Workplace Health awareness campaign launched uffolk Chamber of Commerce has teamed Picture: Public Health Suffolk how we can all boost our mental and physical up with Public Health Suffolk to strength. Sencourage local businesses to work with Suffolk Chamber will also be working with staff on ways to improve their overall mental Public Health Suffolk in targeting medium-sized and physical health and wellbeing.