Latest Updates From Surrey Chambers CEO – 16th October 2023
23rd October 2023
Surrey Business Awards
On Tuesday evening the best of Surrey business gathered in Guildford for the Surrey Business Awards. The evening was a great opportunity to do what we love to do at the Chamber, which is to network with the business community. The highlight of the evening was the presentation of 15 awards, including many gained by Surrey Chambers members. Notably, Croxons were crowned overall Company of the Year, ramsac, Large Business of the Year and Employer of the Year, login lounge took Start up of the Year. The Community Hero award went to Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey and Sussex and Something Big were recognised as Chamber Member of the Year. Mandira’s Kitchen and Tenscare were also Highly Commended in their categories.
New career opportunity
We are currently looking for an Events and Marketing Manager to join us on our exciting journey, supporting local businesses to be the best they can. We are looking for someone who is passionate about helping businesses and who can deliver a series of excellent business focused events to the Surrey audience. We have a hybrid work ethos and are open to conversations around flexibility.
Keeping businesses UpToDate
We love making sure our members are well informed about the many aspects of running a business. Our latest signpost could be a game changer. Looking after your workforce is key and Chamber members, Crossroads Care Surrey have just launched their Employers Hub for Unpaid Caring, a new resource to help employers support carers in their workforce. Regardless of the size of a business, research shows that by supporting unpaid carers and using a flexible working approach, you will have better staff retention, reduce recruitment and training costs and increase productivity.
Continuing the Skills theme
Surrey Chambers of Commerce and Hampshire Chamber of Commerce have partnered with IMI (Institute of Motor Industry) to create a skills summit, sponsored by the LKQ Euro Car Parts and focusing on the Motor Industry. It is an opportunity for businesses, providers and other key stakeholders in the local skills system to come together to discuss, identify and agree actions to address key skills and recruitment challenges faced by this sector. The event will be taking place on 1st November at an appropriate venue-the Brooklands Museum, which houses some fantastic exhibitions showing the evolution of transport through the years!
Exciting launch of a pan Surrey Careers Hub
From 1st September Surrey County Council have taken on the responsibility of the Careers Hub across the whole of Surrey. The team has started work with the county’s secondary schools, special schools, and colleges with the aim of ensuring every young person can find their best next step. We will be encouraging businesses to get involved by offering workplace encounters, support schools directly as an Enterprise Advisor, or strategically guide the work as a Cornerstone Employer. Businesses need a strong and agile workforce to thrive and grow, and the County Council together with the Careers Hub will support our businesses to secure the workforce of the future.
National news
The national chamber network is stronger than ever enabling us to have an effective voice in Westminster and have a real influence on policy decisions. At the recent party conferences, we were front and centre representing business interests.