Contents Contents Chamberlink October 2017


Business News 5 QES reveals strong summer


6 Paul Faulkner, Chamber chief executive, and Paul Kehoe, Chamber president, reflect on the past two years


8 Businesses face risk of insolvency


10 President’s Focus: Saqib Bhatti, ABCC president


12 BCRS to manage Midlands Engine fund 14 Businesses join Brexit summit 15 Business growth scheme launched 16 Conservatoire refurbishment complete


17 Innovative telecoms system in development


18 Improv festival marks its return


Chamber Patrons 20 HS2 contractor joins as Patron


1813 Club and Premier Members 22 Social enterprise aims to plug the skills gap


20 34


International Trade 24 New air route offers link to Germany


Chamber Group 26 Future Faces: Double win at awards


27 BABC: US trade deal after Brexit? 28 Solihull: Awards shortlist announced


30 Lichfield & Tamworth: Development boosts employment figures


35 Burton & District: Mindfulness coach to speak at event


36 Chase: MP backs rail improvements


37 Sutton Coldfield:Warning as tribunal fees are scrapped


38 ABCC: Awards charity chosen


The Hub 31 Calendar of events taking place across the Chamber network


Features 53


Sector Focus 47 Legal: Firm demands clarity on cross- border disputes


48 Property: Guide tackles business rates concerns


50 Finance: Protocol may increase insolvency inaction


52 Retail: How innovation can help retain customers


53 Manufacturing: Gorillaz app code- breaker lands job with Jaguar


54 Business Travel: Tram expansion underway


56 Sport: Test match hailed a success


Enterprise & Innovation 40 Engaging with the real world at a VR event


Health & Safety In The Workplace 42 Taking care of mental health


44 Offering easy access to health and safety


Member Section 58 Competitions:Win ticket to Classic Carols and a Christmas party at Park Regis Birmingham


59 Chamber Insight: bmi regional


60 New Members: Chamber welcomes new members


62 …any other business: A roundup of news from Chamber members


October 2017 CHAMBERLINK3


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