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THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF DEVON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE


CONTACT DETAILS


Devon Chamber of Commerce 22 Lockyer Street, Plymouth, Devon PL1 2QW T: 01752 220471 E: chamber@devonchamber.co.uk W: www.devonchamber.co.uk


News and articles should be sent to: E: Marketing@devonchamber.co.uk


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Chamber Profile is produced on behalf of Devon Chamber of Commerce by Kemps Publishing Ltd and is distributed without charge to more than 1,500 key businesses and all Chamber members in Devon. The publisher is 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, the publisher cannot accept any responsibility for any omission or inaccuracies that might arise. This publication (or any part thereof) may not be reproduced, transmitted or stored in print or electronic format without the prior written permission of Kemps Publishing Ltd.


Why the South West must get organised


The Devon economy is bigger and more important than Greater Bristol. This is a little known fact outside the county because, unlike Cornwall or other shire counties, Devon rarely presents itself as a single entity. This makes it look like the area is made up of relatively small economies not necessarily of national significance. And why does this matter? Elsewhere in the UK areas are forming themselves into


‘economic power shares’. The Celtic countries act as single entities, as does Greater London. Now new economic power shares are emerging such as; the Northern Powerhouse, the Midlands Engine, the Oxford-Cambridge initiative and the Greater Anglia. These groups aim to support their respective region bids for resources from Government. After Brexit, this is going to be even more important. To compete the South West has to organise too. In Cornwall, Cornwall Chamber of Commerce


has made key decisions with a single local authority, the Cornwall isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership. In Devon the county has to see greater unity. The move to a ‘Combined Authority’, inviting all the local authorities in Devon and Somerset, is to be welcomed. To the private sector, strong Chambers of Commerce are essential. Cornwall, Somerset


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and Dorset have effective County Chambers. In Devon, Devon Chamber is attempting to match them, working closely with the local chambers in Ilfracombe, Barnstaple, Exeter, Newton Abbot, Paignton, Torquay and Brixham. Together we will present a united front and show that the South West is ‘Great’.


GEORGE COWCHER CHIEF EXECUTIVE, DEVON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE


CHAMBER PATRONS


4 Chamber Profile November/December 2017


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