Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce has officially launched its Business Manifesto for 2018, which outlines the main policy objectives and campaigns for businesses in the two counties, at an exclusive launch event at Worcester Bosch.
Building upon a turbulent twelve months, this year’s manifesto focuses on the following themes: Skills, Brexit, Infrastructure, Connectivity, Reducing the cost of doing business, and Cyber Crime.
Nationally firms have experienced a snap election, the triggering of Article 50 and a web of complex negotiations taking place. Locally, low unemployment and the skills shortage continues to challenge businesses, as does struggling infrastructure and temperamental connectivity.
These priorities have been narrowed down following feedback from over 600 local businesses, including results from our Quarterly Economic Survey, Area council and the regular interaction the Chamber has with local firms every day.
The manifesto aims to tackle these issues head on and work towards solutions with the support of the business community. As the voice of business in the two counties, the Chamber will relate these concerns back to politicians and work to influence government, locally and nationally, on the key priorities needed to make Herefordshire and Worcestershire an even better place to do business.
Over 130 businesses attended the launch on Friday 26 January who heard presentations from CEO of Worcester Bosch, Carl Arntzen, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, Adam Marshall, Chamber CEO Sharon Smith and Chamber Policy Manager, Sophia Haywood.
Commenting on the launch, Sophia Haywood, Policy Manager at Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, said: “We’re absolutely ecstatic from the buzz in the room we had at the Business Manifesto launch on Friday. It was fantastic to see so many business leaders come out to support our priorities for 2018. The launch however is just the beginning, now the business community has to work together to turn the calls in the manifesto into a reality over the next twelve months.”
To receive a copy of the Manifesto please contact Daisie Rees-Evans, Policy Assistant on daisier@hwchamber.co.uk or alternatively download on e-copy here.
Pictured: – The Chamber manifesto was launched on 26 January 2017