INBUSINESS inbusiness CONTACT DETAILS


EDITOR: Catherine Bontoft T: 01604 490490


NORTHAMPTONSHIRE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Waterside House, 8 Waterside Way, Northampton NN4 7XD


NEWS AND ARTICLES SHOULD BE SENT TO: inbusiness@northants-chamber.co.uk


THE VOICE OF NORTHAMPTONSHIRE BUSINESS VIEWPOINT


REPRESENTING YOUR INTERESTS NATIONALLY


It won’t have escaped anyone’s notice that since my last Viewpoint our political landscape has changed. Then, the Conservatives were expected to begin


PUBLISHED BY: Kemps Publishing Ltd 11 The Swan Courtyard, Charles Edward Road, Birmingham B26 1BU T: 0121 765 4144 W: www.kempspublishing.co.uk


MANAGING EDITOR: Laura Blake DESIGNER: Lloyd Hollingworth


ADVERTISING T: 0121 765 4144 E: jon.jones@kempspublishing.co.uk


PRINTERS: Warners (Midlands) plc


FRONT COVER: Staff at Sartoris Products Limited COVER/INTERVIEW PHOTOS: Jane Russell Photography


ABOUT THIS MAGAZINE: inbusiness is a bi-monthly publication and digital magazine distributed to 6,000 Chamber members and key businesses in Northamptonshire. The publication focuses on news and information about local companies and the initiatives and advice available to increase the prosperity of county firms. Northamptonshire Chamber welcomes newsworthy articles of business interest, giving preference to Chamber members. As editorial space is limited, inclusion cannot be guaranteed and the editor may amend or reject articles submitted.


the Brexit negotiations with a small majority. Following the General Election campaign they saw that majority slip away and, at the time of writing, they are looking to lead a minority Government into the negotiations with support from the DUP. The election result has created greater uncertainty


for businesses. However, we believe the UK can become a more confident, more enterprising and more skilled trading union during this Parliament if politicians listen to businesses. Within days of the election we contacted our MPs to


set out the needs of our members. The most pertinent and perennial issue that members continue to be burdened by is skills shortages and recruitment difficulties. We’re urging the Government to deliver a globally competitive business environment by improving the skills set of tomorrow’s workforce without hitting firms with higher upfront costs and taxes. Urgent attention is needed to address successive


‘WE’RE URGING THE GOVERNMENT TO DELIVER A GLOBALLY COMPETITIVE BUSINESS


ENVIRONMENT’


Governments’ underinvestment of local infrastructure, including road, rail and energy as well as digital infrastructure. Northamptonshire has been identified as part of an intensive growth corridor and we urge the Government to finance infrastructure projects that are vital to our area’s growth. There must also be a focus on providing all companies with reliable super-fast broadband and mobile connectivity. We’ll continue to help Northamptonshire meet its overseas trade potential and are calling on


the Government to expand trade support programmes and secure continued access to existing Free Trade Agreements. We’re also calling on the Government to work with businesses to secure the best Brexit deal. We want the status of EU nationals in the UK to be protected, future customs procedures to be developed in partnership with businesses, the creation of a future UK immigration system that responds to economic needs and skills shortages and the maintenance of a soft border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Whatever the future holds we will continue to be your voice and represent your interests


locally, regionally and nationally – as we have done for the past 100 years. Since we launched our Centenary


FOLLOW NORTHAMPTONSHIRE CHAMBER AT:


www.facebook.com/northamptonshire.chamber @NorthantsCoC


www.linkedin.com/company/northamptonshire- chamber-of-commerce www.youtube.com/NorthantsChamber


You can also follow our International Trade Team on Twitter: @NhntChambExport


For further information on Northamptonshire Chamber call 01604 490490 or visit www.northants-chamber.co.uk


inbusiness is produced on behalf of Northamptonshire Chamber by Kemps Publishing Ltd and is distributed without charge to all Chamber members and other leading businesses in Northamptonshire. The Chamber and the publisher are committed to achieving the highest quality standards. However, views expressed in the magazine are independent and while every care has been taken to ensure that the information it contains is accurate, neither Northamptonshire Chamber nor the publisher can accept any responsibility for any omission or inaccuracies that might arise.


4 inbusiness AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017 BUSINESS ALLIANCE GROUP PARTNERS 2016/17


celebrations in May it has been touching to see how many members have attended our events, taken part in photo shoots with our Centenary banners and contributed to our Centenary supplements. As we ‘Celebrate a Century of Partnership’ our network is stronger than ever and this strengthens our position as we represent your interests.


PAUL GRIFFITHS Chief Executive, Northamptonshire Chamber paul.griffiths@northants-chamber.co.uk


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40