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Spending Review: Business relieved not worse than expected

October 21, 2010 in Bristol, Gloucestershire, Policy, Legislation, Swindon with Comments Off

Business leaders from across Bristol, Gloucestershire and Swindon met today to watch George Osborne deliver his long-awaited Spending Review.

GWE Business West [1] brought companies together with public sector representatives in three locations to talk about the impact of the cuts and the issues of concern to business. The overall view was that the Spending Review could have been worse for business.

Phil Smith, Managing Director, GWE Business West said: “Most businesses will be relieved that there were no major surprises today, that to some extent we now know more about what we are dealing with and that as businesses we can just get on with our job.”

“We were however particularly disappointed to see the Chancellor announce the 25% cut to UKTI programmes that deliver much needed direct export support to business and with the uncertainty that still remains around our ability to support new and existing businesses to grow.”

“There is still a key issue that remains unanswered – where will all the new private sector jobs come from to replace the loss of public sector jobs? Businesses want to create new jobs and to grow, but also need the confidence and support to do so. So the question remains, how will government help the private sector to create these new jobs?”

The positive messages that business took from the announcements include:

  • Commitment to tax increment financing that allows local authorities to borrow against increases in locally collected business rates
  • A further £1/2 bn in the Regional Growth Fund to extend this for 1 year
  • Potential opportunities to be provided by the establishment of the Green Investment Bank (£1bn funding to lever in additional investment in sustainable energy and transport projects)
  • Increase in the education budget, to support schools and local education

However there were also significant concerns around the following key issues for business growth:

  • The decision to cut the UKTI programmes by 25% when they deliver direct export support to business.
  • Decision to axe programmes like Train to Gain are less of a surprise but still disappointing.
  • Lack of clarity of key infrastructure schemes in our area – we await further announcements before we will know which, if any, transport schemes have survived.
  • Impact of the defence review, in particular on the supply chains across the West of England, where many SMEs rely on defence contracts to survive.

Gloucestershire Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive set to retire

September 6, 2010 in Gloucestershire with Comments Off

GWE Business West [1], has today announced that the long serving Chief Executive of Gloucestershire Chamber of Commerce & Industry [2], John Cripps, is set to retire on 10th September. 

John, 71, who has been with the Chamber for 20 years, has made significant impacts during his time with the Chamber and was recently named as one of the most influential business people in Gloucestershire by the Gloucestershire Echo.  John was instrumental in the merger of Gloucestershire Chamber with GWE Business West in April 2010.

“John has led Gloucestershire Chamber through its development and has been a major asset to the Chamber throughout the past 20 years” said Nigel Hutchings, Director of Chambers of Commerce, GWE Business West. 

“John played a major role in securing the future of the Chamber through its merger with GWE Business West.  I would like to thank John for all the support, hard work and commitment to the interests of Gloucestershire over the last 20 years.”

John Cripps said: “I am very proud of my achievements for Gloucestershire, but I feel the time has come for me to leave and I am looking forward to challenges in other areas.”

Suzanne Hall-Gibbins has been appointed as the new Director of Gloucestershire Chamber of Commerce and Initiative.  Suzanne joins the Chamber from Business Link where she was Area Director, previous to this Suzanne spent several years in the private sector and has held positions at director and Chief Executive level. 

Nigel said “Suzanne is perfectly placed to hit the ground running in this role having spent the last 5 years working with some of the leading businesses in the county.  She has a strong understanding of the local business community and will be a great asset in moving the Chamber forward.”

Suzanne Hall-Gibbins said: “The tail of this recession threatens to be long and businesses are still facing tough times ahead.  We need to be working together, collaborating and exploiting all of the opportunities.  The government see Chambers as the conduit to business; it is absolutely the right time to be a member of the chamber.  Gloucestershire is a great place to do business and I am looking forward to ensuring that Gloucestershire Chamber has the right mix of services to add value to our members.”

Gloucestershire businesses voices concerns to county MPs

June 8, 2010 in Gloucestershire, Policy, Legislation with Comments Off

Two Gloucestershire MPs heard from some of the county’s most influential business leaders last week at a meeting arranged by Gloucestershire Chamber of Commerce and Industry, part of a nationwide series of Chamber events held last week with MPS to highlight the huge issues business faces in the current economy.

With a budget later this month and a comprehensive spending review promised for the Autumn business people around the table told Geoffrey Clifton Brown and Lawrence Robertson that many companies are adopting a ‘wait and see’ approach on capital investment until after the Government makes its announcements later this year. This, they said, would have an impact on growth and development. The MPs agreed that confidence was critical not only for the local business community but also on how UK business is viewed from abroad.

Despite the traditional high street banks saying they are lending again, according to businesses around the table, in reality they are clawing much more back from their customers to shore up depleted bank reserves. As a result investment is much harder to find and companies are having to look further afield. There was a widespread feeling at the meeting that insolvencies are likely to rise sharply this year as companies struggle to find support for working capital.

However, there was better news for employment in Gloucestershire with a number of companies saying that they are now recruiting again and generally confidence round the table was higher than in previous months, although a possible increase in National Insurance Contribution could potentially be a disincentive to recruitment.

Gloucestershire continues to be recognised as a one of the best places in the UK to live, work and carry on in business, but both MPs recognise that without a stable UK economy, all counties will suffer.

Lawrence Robertson, MP for Tewkesbury, said: “Gloucestershire has good road links, but its competitive edge will be boosted if our rail links are improved – particularly to London. Gloucestershire is still attracting high profile employers, including Horizon Nuclear Power, which opened its headquarters at Gloucester Business Park, Gloucester last year.”

Nigel Hutchings, Director, Chambers of Commerce, GWE Business West moderated the Gloucestershire event, held at Chargrove House in Shurdington near Cheltenham. He said: “Without business there is no taxation, no employment, nothing. We must create an environment for businesses to flourish and grow and it’s essential that the Government understands that. We plan to hold regular briefing events with our local MPS so they understand the real issues their constituents are facing.”

Geoffrey Clifton Brown added: “These meeting are invaluable to us as we can then truly represent the views of the business community within our constituencies. I am looking forward to the next meeting.”

Gloucestershire Chamber of Commerce joins GWE Business West

November 30, 2009 in Gloucestershire with Comments Off

Gloucestershire Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) is looking forward to a future as part of the GWE Business West Chambers of Commerce network.

The permanent merger was passed unanimously at GCCI’s AGM on Tuesday, 24th November.

GCCI will keep its base at Chargrove House, Shurdington, and will continue with its current trading name. Its assets will be transferred to GWE Business West from April 2010.

The merger is intended to secure GCCI’s future. And will give Gloucestershire a louder voice as part of an influential Chambers of Commerce network that also covers Bristol, Bath, and South Gloucestershire. It will also benefit from GWE Business West’s influence and activities across Swindon, Wiltshire and the South West.

Director of GWE Business West Chambers of Commerce, Nigel Hutchings said:  “Our Chambers of Commerce network has many benefits for Gloucestershire. We are delighted they are joining us.”

“Providing business leadership, business membership and business services, GWE Business West is continually expanding its scope. We ensure the ‘voice of business’ is heard in important economic debates, using our partnership links with the public and private sectors. Our range of business support and membership services are regularly reviewed and developed to meet demand. “

GCCI Managing Director John Cripps said: “A merger was the only way forward. This is a highly positive outcome that will give us strength. It ensures our future and will give our members an enhanced range opportunities and benefits.”

GCCI President Martin Quantock pointed out that the county is an essential part of the Bristol, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire triangle, and relies on industries such as aerospace, hi-tech companies, and financial services. He said: “The triangle is the highest GDP earner in the UK, second only to London. We must make sure our voice is heard.”

John Savage, Managing Director of GWE Business West said: “Over the next 5 years, we are confident we can substantially grow membership and become the single voice for South West business. There is no catch. The area we cover is a natural gathering. We must work together to expand our influence using our joint interests to keep and grow our local chambers.”