Getting Match Fit and Battle Ready for 2021
21st January 2021
by Claire Burden and Tim Sloggett, business turnaround and rescue experts at Smith & Williamson It has been great to see many businesses adapt and thrive throughout the pandemic, while for those facing ongoing uncertainty and challenges, the roll-out of
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Latest Updates From Surrey Chambers CEO – January 2023
3rd January 2023
Welcome to the world of 2023 and I am sure you are all wondering what could possibly surprise us this year! 2022 ended with many negative messages coming from the various statistics and surveys done amongst businesses. I will
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Tilney Smith & Williamson expands in Surrey with the acquisition of HFS Milbourne
5th March 2021
Tilney Smith & Williamson is pleased to announce that it has acquired HFS Milbourne, one of the leading financial and investment advisory firms in Surrey. HFS Milbourne is based in Guildford and supports clients with c£450 million of assets under
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Businesses at Surrey Research Park Twice as Productive as National Average
30th March 2021
Businesses at Surrey Research Park are twice as productive in terms of economic output per employee as their local and national counterparts, according to a report by BIGGAR Economics, a leading independent economic consultancy. The report analysed the extent Surrey
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BCC Coronavirus Business Impact Tracker: Businesses not yet successfully accessing government loan and grant schemes
8th April 2020
Results from the second BCC Coronavirus Business Impact Tracker reveal that most businesses have not yet successfully accessed the government’s Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) and the grants for small businesses. Just 1 per cent of firms had successfully
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BCC reacts to latest Labour Market Figures
18th May 2021
Commenting on ONS Labour Market statistics for May 2021 published today, BCC Head of Economics, Suren Thiru, said: “The decline in the unemployment rate and the rise in payroll employment is further confirmation that the UK jobs market is now more resilient to the ongoing restrictions. “Continued government support and the easing of restrictions
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Humanity in the age of AI: Professor Jim Al-Khalili speaks at Vatican workshop
6th March 2024
Will Artificial Intelligence (AI) change what it means to be human? The Pontifical Academy for Life invited Professor Jim Al-Khalili to the Vatican to give a speech on this very subject at a special workshop, Human. Meanings and Challenges. Photo
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New PM Must Restore Business Confidence
24th October 2022
Reacting to the announcement of the new Prime Minister, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: “We would like to congratulate Rishi Sunak on his appointment as Prime Minister. “The political and economic uncertainty
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Telemarketing Company Poised to Bounce Back thanks to HSBC Funding
29th April 2020
The team at Don’t Just Sit There, Sell Something Guildford-based telemarketing company ‘Don’t Just Sit There, Sell Something’, has received an overdraft extension and capital repayment holiday from HSBC UK, enabling its staff
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BCC reacts to latest GDP and trade figures
12th March 2021
Commenting on GDP figures for January 2021 published today by the ONS, BCC Head of Economics, Suren Thiru, said: “The latest data confirms a better than expected start to the year for the UK economy as the third lockdown and post-Brexit border disruption combined to trigger only a relatively modest decline
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BCC IN-DEPTH BUDGET RESPONSE: Measures Unlikely to Shift Dial on Business Investment
16th March 2023
Giving her full reaction to today’s spring budget, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “The Chancellor has acted to address the unfilled jobs blighting our economy. It is especially good to see the help on childcare and for
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Latest Updates From Surrey Chambers CEO – 31st May 2022
31st May 2022
Speaking on behalf of businesses The current cost rise crisis has become really evident over the last couple of months and Chambers have come together to lobby government to gain some support for businesses. Businesses are telling us that the
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BCC and Indeed: Cost and administrative burden of employment continues to climb
19th July 2019
Business is calling on the next Prime Minister to reduce the unsustainable cost of employing people in the UK. Nearly three-quarters (72%) of firms report the cost burden of employment has increased compared to five years ago, according to
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Young People Need Your Help More Than Ever: Sleep Anywhere But Your Bed to Help Prevent Youth Homelessness
22nd July 2020
(Photo Caption: Join YMCA DownsLink Group’s biggest fundraising event of the year, Sleep Easy, Friday 9th October 2020, to raise money to tackle the causes of youth homelessness.) Family breakdown is a leading cause of youth homelessness and pressure created
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Farleigh Creates A Buzz By Enrolling In Environmentally-Friendly Initiative
26th January 2021
Farleigh Golf Club, Surrey, has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability and environmental initiatives by signing up to the Operation Pollinator programme, which will see it commit to establishing a minimum of 0.5 hectares of new wildflower habitat around the golf
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Governance arrangements are fit for purpose, say 69% of family businesses
2nd February 2021
Family businesses believe their governance arrangements are entirely or broadly fit for purpose, according to 69% of respondents to a new survey published by Smith & Williamson, with an office in Guildford. Smith & Williamson’s latest Family Business Survey,
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Business and Arts Unite In Lockdown
20th July 2020
The award-winning Guildford Shakespeare Company (GSC) receive funding from insurance broker Gallagher’s Community and Charity Fund to further their work in the community. Following a networking event hosted by Surrey Chambers of Commerce at GSC’s February production of Macbeth, Gallagher’s
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Surrey coffee roastery receives international B Corp sustainability accreditation
3rd August 2022
A speciality coffee roastery in the Surrey Hills has become one of only 700 businesses in the UK to be awarded B Corp status, an international commendation of its social and environmental performance. Photo: The Chimney Fire Coffee team with
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BCC responds to ONS GDP figures for October
10th December 2020
Commenting on GDP figures for October 2020 published today by the ONS, BCC Head of Economics Suren Thiru said: “The sharp slowdown in economic output in October reflected the squeeze on activity from the re-introduction of tighter coronavirus restrictions, including the tier system in England. Firms in hospitality, who are most acutely exposed to
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Insolvency numbers show the levels of debt people are facing is catching up with them
15th December 2020
Commenting, Louise Brittain, Restructuring and Insolvency Partner at Azets, the UK’s largest regional accountancy and business advisors to SMEs, said: “The insolvency numbers this month show that debt is beginning to catch up with people. The numbers also indicate
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