Member News

We are pleased to share our latest 5-minute read on the latest policy, campaigns, events, meetings, specific projects and calls to action. Have a good look through and please share internal updates with your team and any relevant external updates with your members who may be interested to hear more.

Today’s Weekly Update includes:

• The Rt Hon Elizabeth Truss MP appointed Conservative Party Leader and Prime Minister;
• BCC welcomes UK government support for businesses on energy bills;
• Chamber Cyber Essentials - launching on Monday; and
• Chamber Business Awards - shortlisted Chambers 2022;

In the eventuality of her death, the BCC team has a plan in place. We will issue social media posts and would advise that you either mirror those or retweet/share. National mourning periods, etc. will be advised by the UK government. In the immediate aftermath, we would suggest that you cease all social media and press activity beyond the above. As we receive more information, we will cascade that advice to you.

For regular updates please check the BCC website and our social media channels.

This week:

The Rt Hon Elizabeth Truss MP appointed Conservative Party Leader and Prime MinisterThe team is here to help if you have any queries.

On Tuesday 6 September, HM The Queen formally appointed Liz Truss as Prime Minister. In response, the BCC team has put together the following resources for Chambers:

- Summary grid of policies referenced during leadership contest; and

- Summary of key Ministerial appointments so far.

BCC welcomes UK government support for businesses on energy bills

Reacting to the Prime Minister’s announcement on a cap for businesses’ energy bills earlier today, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the BCC, said:

“The BCC welcomes this quick and positive intervention from Government. It is clear the new Prime Minister has listened to firms and is providing a strong package of support for business, equivalent to the crucial support to consumers."

See the full release here and share our social media posts on Twitter and LinkedIn

Chamber Cyber Essentials – launching on Monday

On Monday 12 September, the BCC will launch our newest affinity partnership – Chamber Cyber Essentials, our first within the cyber security space. Cyber Essentials will help support Chamber members by ensuring they have a baseline provision of cyber security measures in place. This will help to prevent the majority of cyber threats their organisation and team will face.

Alongside the Chamber Cyber Essentials certification, there is also a collection of free resources and tools to support members in creating a robust cyber security policy.

The partnership is delivered alongside our partners IASME, the chosen delivery partners of the National Cyber Security Centre. Chamber Cyber Essentials will sit alongside and compliment the BCC’s other affinity partnerships. If you have any questions about Chamber Cyber Essentials or any of our affinity partners, contact Luke Flinders.

Chamber Business Awards - shortlisted Chambers 2022

Thank you to those Chambers who submitted entries for this year's Chamber categories. We are delighted to share the shortlisted Chambers for both the UK Chamber of the Year and the International Chamber of the Year 2022. Good luck in the next round and please contact the BCC Awards team with any queries

Shortlisted UK Chamber of the Year
• Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce
• Doncaster Chamber
• Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce
• Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire)

Virtual assessment interviews take place on Wednesday 28 September. 

Shortlisted International Chamber of the Year
• Australia-British Chamber of Commerce
• British Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce
• British Chamber of Commerce in China
• UK-Ghana Chamber of Commerce
• British Chamber of Commerce in Turkey

Virtual assessment interviews take place on Tuesday 27 September.

OTHER NEWS

Join the ChamberCustoms webinar tomorrow

See and share details of two new FREE webinars for you and your members, with expert advice from the BCC and ChamberCustoms teams.

21-day countdown: Switch to CDS Imports
The clock is ticking, and with only 21 days until CHIEF switches off for import declarations, you’ll want to be confident that your company is ready for these changes to avoid potential delays with your movements. Hear the latest guidance and put your questions to our expert speakers.
• Friday 9 September
• 10:00 (UK time)
• Register here

Customs Health Audit: Pain Free Testing
In this webinar we will be discussing the basics of compliance, and how to ensure your company is fulfilling its roles and responsibilities within the HMRC customs framework. We’ll share case studies, and explain the benefits of our customs health audit, with a Q&A session at the end.

• Tuesday 20 September
• 14:00 (UK time)
• Register here

The Road to Green Economy
• 9 - 10 November 2022
• Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt
• Register here

The Road to Green Economy is a two-day business forum hosted by the Egyptian-British Chamber of Commerce which will run alongside COP27. The forum will bring together the best in international business discussing the latest opportunities around the COP27 topics.

Topics to be discussed include:

• Sustainability and Circular Economy;
• Future Business Goals;
• Green Finance;
• Changes to achieve Climate targets;
• Smart cities; and
• Highlighting sectorial benefits.

Click here to download an updated agenda and marketing presentation. Please share with your members as relevant.

Climate Chamber City webinars

As part of their Climate Chamber City activities in the run up to COP27, Glasgow Chamber of Commerce invites you to join its upcoming free webinars. Click the links below to register and find out more.

Green Energy and Renewables
• Tuesday 20 September
• Register here

Glasgow City Innovation District
• Tuesday 27 September
• Register here

HMRC-hosted Digitalisation of Business Rates Consultation Roundtable

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is currently running a consultation on Digitalising Business Rates. The consultation runs for 10 weeks until Friday 30 September. HMRC would like to invite Chamber members to a virtual roundtable discussion to receive feedback on the consultation.

A roundtable will take place virtually on 15 September between 10:00 - 11:30 (UK time). If your member businesses would like to participate, please ask them to email the HMRC team.

YOUR INPUT

Further information and contact details for all of the notices below, plus additional consultations and opportunities, are available on our webpage.

The Low Pay Commission: The Low Pay Commission wishes to appoint a new Chair. The deadline for applications is 09:00 on Monday 19 September. Click here for more information.

Information Commissioner's Office: The Information Commissioner has recently launched ICO25 which describes its priorities for businesses, organisations and the public. There is a consultation on the plan open until Thursday 22 September 2022.

CALLS AND EVENTS 

UK Chamber CEO call
• Every Wednesday
• 11:00 (UK time)
• Meeting ID: 828 9205 6403
• Passcode: 045730

Click Here to join

If you have difficulties accessing the link above, copy and paste the below link into your web browser:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82892056403?pwd=dkFXU0pIRnBzdDVzSjU5eDdXTGNuQT09

International CEOs meeting: BCC priorities for the new UK Prime Minister

Monday 12 September
12:30 - 13:15 (UK time)
Click here to join

Adam Szpala, Head of Public Affairs and William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC will present our priorities for the new Prime Minister. They will also provide an overview of the new ministerial appointments and answer any queries. Anne-Marie Martin, Director of Membership UK and International will update on key campaigns for the coming months including Trade, COP27 and Chamber Women.

Please RSVP to the calendar invite and contact Anne-Marie Martin with any queries.

Westfield Health webinar: How SMEs can prioritise employee wellbeing and create a positive culture

Thursday 29 September
11:00 - 11:50
Register here

Join Westfield Health's free webinar discussing employee wellbeing in small to medium sized organisations. BCC Director General, Shevaun Haviland will join the expert panel along with Vicky Walker, Group Director of People, Westfield Health.

Attendees will learn:

• Insights from Shevaun Haviland on the challenges that SMEs are currently facing.
• Why employee wellbeing is so important in smaller organisations.
• Tips and low-cost wellbeing ideas for organisations to adopt.
• How to measure the impact of employee wellbeing initiatives.

The webinar is perfect for anyone who is responsible for employee wellbeing and wants to ensure they are providing the right mental wellbeing support for their people. Click here to find out more and share with your members as relevant.

Chamber Policy Groups: 2022 dates and call for members

Click here to download a schedule of meetings for UK Chamber Network Policy Groups through the rest of 2022. If you would like to join any of the groups, please contact Alex Veitch or the Chamber contact point listed on the document.

Commercial Academy

• Thursday 13 October
• 10:30 - 16:00 (UK time)
• Mary Ward House

The next Commercial Academy will take place on Thursday 13 October. This is a brilliant opportunity for Commercial, Membership and Event Managers to come together for a day to share best practice on affinity services, events and other membership services in a confidential and interactive environment. If you have any suggestions or requests for the agenda, please do get in touch.

Please share with your colleagues as relevant. RSVP to the BCC Events team by COP on Monday 26 September. There is no cost for this event and all refreshments are included

NEDs meetings - UK and international

All meetings take place at 09:00 (UK time) for one hour and are hosted by BCC Chair, Sarah Howard. Links to register will follow shortly before the next meetings in September.

Please see below the dates and themes for both UK and International non-executive director (NED) meetings for the next 12 months. Meetings will mostly focus on our strategic pillars and BCC policy leads will present, with time for Q&A and discussion. There are also sessions set aside for general updates. Please save the dates and share with your Chamber board members.

UK NEDs

• Tuesday 20 September – The Economy
• Tuesday 15 November – Climate (COP27 month)
• Tuesday 24 January 2023 – Trade
• Tuesday 14 March 2023 – General roundup

International NEDs

• Thursday 22 September – The Economy
• Thursday 17 November – Climate (COP27 month)
• Thursday 26 January 2023 – Trade
• Thursday 16 March 2023 – General roundup

15 September 2022 - Arab-British Economic Summit

 20 September 2022 - Climate Chamber City Webinar: Green Energy and Renewables

 27 September 2022 - Climate Chamber City Webinar: Glasgow City Innovation District

 12 - 13 October 2022 - BritCham Hong Kong Virtual Summit

 13 October 2022 - Commercial Academy

 17 - 20 October 2022 - ICC’s International Trade and Prosperity Week (ITPW)

 9 - 10 November 2022 - COP27 Business Forum

 17 May 2023 - Global Annual Conference 2023