BCC Director General Awarded CBE
25th June 2025
Shevaun Haviland, BCC Director General, has been made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). She was awarded her CBE in the King’s Birthday Honours List for 2025 for services to business. Responding to the news of
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BCC responds to Bank of England interest rate decision
30th January 2020
Welcoming the Bank of England’s decision to keep interest rates on hold, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: “The decision to keep interest rates on hold is the right one given the mixed picture from
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BCC comments on inflation statistics
18th July 2019
Commenting on the inflation statistics for June 2019, published today by the Office for National Statistics, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: “Inflation held steady in June, as the upward pressures from clothing
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Latest Updates From Surrey Chambers CEO – 4th May 2022
4th May 2022
Surrey Business Expo Last week’s Business Expo was an absolute roaring success with many old acquaintances meeting up as well as many new connections being made. The exhibition was packed with a variety of local exhibitors showcasing their products and
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Hartsfield Manor awarded Best Hotel in Surrey Award!
1st July 2022
Hartsfield Manor last week were delighted to have been awarded the Best Hotel in Surrey Award in the recent Muddy Stilettoes 2022 awards. Now in their ninth year, the Muddy Stilettos Awards champion the very best lifestyle businesses across 28 counties, chosen
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Positivity Amongst Tenants at Surrey Research Park
8th October 2020
Over one third of businesses (37%) who responded to a recent Surrey Research Park tenant survey plan to increase headcount by the end of 2020. These businesses represent a range of sectors including healthcare, MedTech, space, IT software development, professional
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Latest Updates From Surrey Chambers CEO – 6th October 2022
6th October 2022
Energy explained Having announced support for businesses with their energy we have been finding out what this actually means. The new scheme is all about capping wholesale energy costs. Wholesale (commodity) electricity prices will be capped at 21.1p/kWh and gas
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A European Game-Changer?
29th May 2020
May 2020 could go down as the month that changed the course of the euro, and ensured the currency’s longer-term stability, with EU leaders inching closer to agreeing a deeper fiscal union as part of the coronavirus recovery package. Since
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Exports Slump In April As Tariffs Hit
16th June 2025
Responding to the latest ONS data on trade, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “It’s clear there was significant front loading of goods exports to the US before April as firms looked to cushion the
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Weak GDP Growth Forecast For 2020 As Business Investment Falls
9th December 2019
UK economic growth in 2020 is forecast to slow to its weakest rate since the financial crisis as higher government spending struggles to offset falling business investment, weakening net trade and sluggish consumer spending. GDP growth is forecast to
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Latest Updates From Surrey Chambers CEO – 5th June 2023
8th June 2023
We have now submitted a final version of the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) report to the Department for Education to review. A huge thank you to all the businesses that have taken the time to share their feedback
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BCC Coronavirus Business Impact Tracker: Firms begin to reopen but one in ten cannot implement government guidance safely
19th May 2020
Results from the latest BCC Coronavirus Business Impact Tracker reveal that the majority of firms surveyed are in a position to partially restart operations as lockdown restrictions are eased: · 83 per cent of respondents report that they know some or a lot of details about government guidance on working safely · 37 per
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Show your love for our parks, Love Parks Week
29th July 2022
It is time to celebrate one of our greatest assets – our parks. Celebrate Keep Britain Tidy, Love Parks Week From 29 July – 5 August. This week we want to encourage our residents and visitors to enjoy and take
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Active investor appointed as chair of University of Surrey’s S100 Angel Investment Club at pivotal moment in post COVID-19 economic recovery
20th April 2021
Digital software entrepreneur Peter Hornsby will use industry knowledge to attract and support more angel investors and technology businesses seeking investment The University of Surrey’s S100 Club, the only established angel investment network in the SETsquared Partnership, announces the appointment
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Lightwater in Surrey Female Entrepreneur Recognised For Success
12th January 2021
Local entrepreneur recognised for making a powerful contribution to society, the economy and communities 11th JANUARY 2021: Jarmila Yu from Lightwater in Surrey Heath has been named as one of the UK’s most 100 inspirational female entrepreneurs by Small Business
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Councillor resigns from Conservative Group
3rd September 2018
Councillor Bob McShee has resigned from the Conservative group on the Council to become an Independent Councillor. He has been a Borough Councillor for seven years, representing Worplesdon ward. The political balance of the Council, which has 48 councillors, is
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Government boost to rapid workplace testing
8th February 2021
New government drive to increase workplace testing in sectors open during lockdown, to detect coronavirus (COVID-19) in people who are not showing symptoms. Government departments tasked with ensuring targeted, rapid testing is set up in all key workplaces to ensure
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The future looks bright for UK SMEs in London and the South East, reveals Azets inaugural SME Barometer
9th August 2021
71% of SMEs in London and the South East feel positive about the UK’s economic outlook over the next 12 months 60% of SMEs in London and the South East expect their profits to increase 89% of SMEs
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BCC responds to ONS GDP figures for November
15th January 2021
Commenting on GDP figures for November 2020 published today by the ONS, BCC Head of Economics Suren Thiru said: “The latest figures highlight the continued damage being done to the UK economy by coronavirus. “The decline in output in November was largely driven by the
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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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