FIRSTWORD FIRSTWORD


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


All material is used at the editor’s discretion.


Front cover: Top tips for getting your business ready for GDPR See page 18


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


Managing Editor Laura Blake Designer Lloyd Hollingworth


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Printed by Buxton Press Buxton, Derbyshire W: www.buxtonpress.com


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.


The Chamber always wants to know your views


The Chamber of Commerce representing businesses in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay is being asked constantly to give views on behalf of the county’s businesses. How does business view the various scenarios being advocated about Brexit? Will increasing interest rates affect businesses adversely? Are the Apprenticeship Reforms working? How can the number of exporters in the county be increased? What should be the priorities in improving the county’s infrastructure? Over the past few weeks, the Chamber has facilitated consultation for the Bank of England,


supported local authorities with views on development and transport, provided evidence to help determine the future of the Barnstaple to Exeter and Gunnislake to Plymouth railway lines, as well as highlight the need for businesses to support the appointment of school governors, make the case for greater funding for the county and fight for the retention of marines and naval capability at Devonport. It is a hefty agenda. The Chamber therefore needs the active input of its members to ensure that it properly


advocates the genuine views of businesses. To assist with this it conducts, on behalf of the British Chambers of Commerce, the Quarterly Economic Survey, to which it asks questions on local issues. It also often poses questions at many of its forums and meetings in order to get the flavour on current issues. It is therefore vital that all member companies participate in these activities and give their views. This enables the Chamber to speak with authority on behalf of business.


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If you have any views, on any matter, please do not hesitate to email the Chamber at chamber@devonchamber.co.uk or come to the Chamber’s next business conference, Dynamic Devon, at Newton Abbot racecourse on 22 March (register on the Chamber website).


GEORGE COWCHER CHIEF EXECUTIVE, DEVON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE


CHAMBER PATRONS


4 Chamber Profile March/April 2018


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