Global Business Network A WINDOW INTO OUR NETWORK

Welcome to Chamber Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce logo

KEY FACTS ABOUT OUR AREA Ayrshire’s economy is diverse , with a mix of large and small business in the main towns of Ayr, Kilmarnock and Irvine and throughout a network of smaller towns across the three counties.

We are based in the South West of Scotland thirty miles south of Glasgow, one hour from Glasgow Airport. Ayrshire is the Birthplace of the renowned poet ‘Robert Burns’. We have a number of National Trust Scotland visitor attractions in the area including Culzean,Brodick Castle and Robert Burns Museum. Ayrshire has good road and rail transport connectivity to Glasgow. A train service provides regular direct services to Glasgow City Centre from many of Ayrshire’s towns. The existing roads network give adequate connectivity, and provides a route via Cairnryan to Northern Ireland. Ardrossan, the busiest passenger port in Scotland is a gateway to the Scottish Islands.

OUR GEOGRAPHIC REACH IS... List towns/cities in your region/ market where you have a presence or engagement with

Geographically we cover 3 local authority areas: North, East and South Ayrshire council.

A stunning coastline, beautiful countryside, tourist locations such as the island of Arran, world renowned sporting opportunities such as golf and sailing, significant history from the Vikings to Robert Burns and industrial heritage, historic buildings and estates such as Dumfries House, Brodick and Culzean Castle make Ayrshire a fascinating place to live and to visit.

Ayrshire is home to approximately 370,000 people and 84 towns.

OUR REGION IS RENOWNED FOR ... Tell us something interesting about your location This region is renowned for great golf. Ayrshire is one of the best golf destinations in the world with nearly 50 courses to choose including 5 of the UK’s top 100 courses and 3 open championship venues.

We have a number of first class privately owned restaurants and hotels in the area. The area prides itself with local food produce.

Excellent local educational and vocational opportunities at Ayrshire College and the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) as well as access to Glasgow’s world class Higher Education offer. Ayrshire schools have a strong STEM skills focus, preparing young people for career opportunities in science, technology, manufacturing and digital. Ayrshire College is increasingly focused on STEM skills.

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WE ARE REALLY GOOD AT... List your key USPs and strengths as a Chamber for any potential member or services customer

Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce is the small business with a big voice. The leading organisation representing the business community across the whole of Ayrshire, our objective is to promote and facilitate business between our members to encourage commercial growth and local prosperity.

We are the voice of the business community in Ayrshire and pride ourselves in providing strong representation of our members interests in the corridors of power at Holyrood and Westminster.

OUR CUSTOMERS ARE ... Companies in your membership, including Patrons – list a few recognisable brands

Ayrshire is already home to a number of globally recognised organisations such as Magnox, UPM, GSK, BAE Systems, Spirit, GE Aviation, Willian Grant and Sons, Nestles UK, demonstration that the area has a great deal to offer as a location for international businesses.

International travel and freight options are available via Prestwick and Glasgow airports and through the ports of Ayr, Troon and Brodick. We have a number of aerospace companies in membership the area facilities an aerospace park with companies like Spirit AeroSystems, Collins Aerospace, BAE Systems, Woodward Aircraft.

Our Platinum Partners are Ayrshire College, MacKay Insurance, Barclays, Andrew Wright Group, 1825 Financial Planning, Launch, William Duncan, Hillhouse Group, Lighthouse It, Frazer Coogans, Ayrshire Post, J&D Pierce.

WE WORK WITH

List your key stakeholders – British Embassy / Foreign Embassy / LEPs / local trade bodies etc.

We work with:

• Scottish Enterprise; • Business Gateway; • Skills Development Scotland; • North, South & East Ayrshire Council; and • Scottish Development International.

We work closely with further education establishments the college and university.

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OUR MARKET / REGIONS MOST EXCITING SECTOR OPPORTUNITIES ARE

List most interesting sectors that will offer the greatest scope for future opportunities for business

The Ayrshire Growth Deal is set to bring more than £250 million to the area which will invest in growing sectors including aerospace, energy and life sciences as well as building on Ayrshire’s existing strengths in food and drink, manufacturing and engineering.

Some of the projects which are subject to approval include:

• £80 million to position Ayrshire as on the UK’s leading centres of aerospace • £23 million to build on Ayrshires proud history of manufacturing • £24 million to help harness the potential of local energy generation • £18 million to create a Centre for Research into low carbon energy at the Hunterson industrial hub • £14 million investment in improving the region’s digital connectivity and infrastructure.

The signing of the Ayrshire Growth Deal by David Mundell MP, Secretary of State for Scotland was announced at The Annual Dinner.

THIS IS HOW WE CAN HELP YOU List the top 3 – 5 services you would provide free of charge for trade (import / export) and inward-investment-related services/ support

Supporting enterprise and entrepreneurship is essential to ensure a growing and diverse economy. We work with partners such as Scottish Enterprise, SDI, Business Gateway, Princess Trust, West Coast Accelerator, local authorities and educational institutions, as well as, mostly, the business community to achieve this.

We offer training for new exporters on e-cert documentation portal. Help with enquiries or country specific advice. Other chargeable services are available. We work in partnership with SDI and provide one to one trade clinics for importers and exporters.

We organise trade missions and have International Trade Partnerships (ITP) through Scottish Chamber of Commerce currently we are working with Georgia in USA.

ITP top 15 countries: • Belgium • Canada • China • Denmark • France • Germany • Ireland • Italy • Netherlands • Norway • Poland • Spain • Sweden • Switzerland; and • USA.

Page 3 of 4 Global Business Network More on the Global Business Network

63 53 Markets across Chambers of the world Commerce in the UK

The British Chambers of Commerce Global The Global Business Network provides access to a suite of Business Network is a network of British services, expertise, advice, business contacts and Chambers of Commerce and equivalent potential partners for any business that is a member of a Chamber of Commerce in the Network. business groups located in 62 markets across the world and 53 Chambers of Commerce in This ‘local global’ expertise provides practical guidance the UK. and insight to over 80,000 British/British interest businesses located in the UK and across the world. The strategic objective of this network of trusted private sector partners is to maintain and grow two-way trade and business between the UK and markets across the world.

THE GLOBAL BUSINESS NETWORK IN ACTION

Thames Valley and Britain Israel Using the expertise and network of Following a meeting of the CEOs of Chamber of Commerce facilitated an the British Chamber of Commerce the Global Business Network, a introduction to the UK market for an in Germany, the British Chamber digital platform provider based in Israeli tech company looking to of Commerce for Italy supported South West England expanded its establish an office in the UK. one of its members, a UK leisure business into Spain and Chile using centre brand, to break into the the support and expertise of the German market. British Chambers of Commerce in those respective markets.

To find out more about the Global Business Network including events for 2020/21, contact Anne- Marie Martin: [email protected] / +44 (0) 7813 030426.

ABOUT THE BCC British Chambers of Commerce represents and campaigns for business. We are owned by, and work for, a network of Chambers of Commerce that champion and support our members across the UK and in countries and markets around the world. Our unique perspective gives us unparalleled insight into British business communities – we are the only business group with members in every sector, of every size, in both every region of the UK and globally.Working together with Chambers, we drive change from the ground up, helping companies, places and people achieve their potential.

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