Contents Contents Chamberlink November 2017 14 30


Business News 5 BCC chief executive calls for Brexit deal 6 Chamber delegation explores business prospects in Turkey


8 Turkish Airlines meets business travel demand


9 ‘Mr McDonald’s’ adds to franchise 10 Chamber is ‘in great shape’ 12 City bike-share scheme planned 13 Tim Pile named GBSLEP chair 14 The Griffin Report: The future of electric cars


16 Jon Griffin tests the Tesla Model S 18 President’s Focus: Nigel Waldron, Sutton Coldfield Chamber president


19 Businesses miss out on tax relief 20 The Mailbox launches app 22 Warnings point to weakening economy 23 Grammy winner joins Conservatoire 24 Economic Review reveals skills shortage 25 Private sector receives jobs boost 26 Introducing the Chamber’s newest start-up members


27 Mid-market businesses reveal confidence


Chamber Patrons 28 Conservatoire receives ‘royal’ status


1813 Club and Premier Members 30 TV star lends aid to hospice auction


International Trade 32 Midlands Engine to lead Arab Health delegation


Chamber Group 34 Future Faces: Chamber signs up 200th member


39 BABC: Birmingham hailed as cultural beacon


40 Solihull: New uniform for Virgin Trains staff


42 Lichfield & Tamworth: Chamber welcomes new board members


43 Burton & District: Football star supports fundraiser


44 Chase: Charity golf day a success 45 Sutton Coldfield: School refurbishment completed


46 ABCC: Awards shortlist revealed


Features 38


Business Banking & Finance


48 Understanding technology’s place in the banking world


50 A modern approach to funding a business


Business Crime & Protection


52 The steps to protecting your premises


The Hub 35 Calendar of events taking place across the Chamber network


Sector Focus 54 Finance: NEC Group growing strong 56 Legal: Ownership legislation 58 Manufacturing: Firm enjoys surge in overseas sales


61 Sport: New hospitality facility for Aintree


62 Business Travel: Apprentice bus travel scheme unveiled


64 Retail: Selfridges music festival a success


65 Property: Record numbers for industrial real estate


Member Section 66 Competitions:Win tickets to Peter Pan and the Festive Gift Fair


67 Chamber Insight: Arthur Terry Learning Partnership


68 New Members: Chamber welcomes new members


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


November 2017 CHAMBERLINK3


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  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72