The inclusive Championing Business programme – which incorporates Local Business Champions and Global Trade Champions - is open to all businesses from the smallest independent micro-business to the largest exporter, irrespective of whether they are a Chamber member or not.
Local Business Champions are representatives of any business in our region that want to be part of a community that drives activities for the benefit of the whole community, that want to play a part in the success of our local economy, and are committed to working collectively to promote and drive the economy forward.
The Chamber believes that, collectively, we can achieve more, and that is what being a Local Business Champion is all about. Business owners simply need to sign-up via the Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce website.
Independent jeweller, Catherine Jones of Cambridge and Cannon Tomlinson Mansley Ltd, an IT support company based in Stow-cum-Quy are two very different local businesses supporting the Local Business Champion initiative.
Vanessa Burkitt, CEO of Catherine Jones of Cambridge, said: “The 14-week lockdown for Covid-19 has wreaked havoc to businesses across the whole country seeing high street retailers and restaurant chains go to the wall.
“Cambridgeshire and Peterborough businesses have not been immune to its consequences. However, those who survive and are determined to thrive can do so together.
“Linkage and mutual support give independent businesses in our area the opportunity to make a go of it, together: swapping ideas, creating new networks and working relationships have never been so important.
"Catherine Jones of Cambridge was founded in 1963 and we’re aiming to celebrate our 60th anniversary in 2023. To help us reach that goal, we have linked up with three other owner-managed, local businesses in our part of historic Cambridge. We all see opportunity but remain cautious about how to forge the future. We all know that the virus is still out there.”
Rupert Davey, Managing Director of Cannon Tomlinson Mansley Ltd (ctm-IT), said: “Now, more than ever, it’s important for businesses to support each other. The Local Business Champion initiative from the Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce is perfectly timed and we’re really excited to be involved.
“Having provided IT support and technology services to hundreds of firms over the last over 20 years, we’re really looking forward to working with the Chamber, its members and the wider business community, on this initiative.
“The entire ctm IT Support team are passionate about the success of local, and national, businesses because when businesses work together, we can all succeed.”
The Chamber also wants to help facilitate vital conversations around the relevance and applicability of proposed interventions and strategies for our business community, and encourage contribution to consultations on policy issues that support the development and delivery of activities in the local economy (i.e. planning, transport, funding, etc). The initial focus will be recovery and rebuilding the economy.
In anticipation of developments up to and after the Brexit transition period has ended, the Global Trade Champions initiative will provide participants with information and resources to continue to trade successfully.
The Chamber already provides access to export documentation and trade support at a local and national level - and being a Global Trade Champion will help to facilitate more trade in the coming months and years. Anyone interested can find details on the Chamber website.
Commencing on Thursday 23 July, the Chamber will hold fortnightly Championing Business sessions, highlighting important issues and updates, and where businesses will be given the opportunity to share their insights and experiences, and input into important decision-making and key policy developments for our region. Business owners can register for the event via the Chamber website and via Eventbrite.
John Bridge OBE DL, Chief Executive of Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce, commented: “One of the most important points about this initiative is that it is fully inclusive. Recent times have shown the need for businesses to come together and build a different and more inclusive future for themselves, for the benefit of all. And this is something that needs to be encouraged.
“As we continue to navigate unprecedented times, let’s stay informed, be inclusive and access the right information at the right time.
“Being a Local Business Champion and / or a Global Trade Champion allows us to build proficiency and level-up our business community. Additionally, our Championing Business events will allow companies to come together and share experiences and expertise so that we can all work together to promote and drive the local economy forward.”