Annual Meeting Special Business News Latest news from Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce


Chambers of Commerce (GBCC). He succeeded Paul Kehoe in a history-making


New president makes Chamber history S


aqib Bhatti (pictured) has become the youngest and first Muslim president in the 205-year history of Greater Birmingham


ceremony at the Chamber’s annual meeting at the Radisson Blu. He said: “Last year, my predecessor, Paul Kehoe, spoke about ‘uncertainty being the new certainty’. As he wrote, a year on from the historic vote to leave the European Union and a General Election which resulted in a minority government, he was right of course.


250 events throughout the year, a waiting list for Patrons, we are thriving. Our focus on connecting businesses, supporting them and growing them is paying dividends. “Our divisions, from Sutton to Lichfield,


Burton to Cannock, Solihull to Tamworth are growing and our themed Chambers, the ABCC, BABC, Commonwealth Chamber and Future Faces are following suit. Future Faces has had exceptional growth, which is a testament to our region’s commitment to developing our future


‘Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and its members will be pivotal in us achieving our potential’


“There were big questions being asked of us


as a nation and where we saw our place in the world. Those questions have not gone away. Yet, with some of the best economic results that we have ever experienced, I can’t help but think that our region is emboldened by its new found confidence and place in the world. “While uncertainty may be the new norm,


let me share with you some other certainties. Our businesses and our industries continue to be resilient, adaptive and innovative. “We have a mayor who understands


business and our region’s political leaders are working in the spirit of collaboration to grow a successful and thriving region. We have exciting events like the Commonwealth Games on their way and High Speed Rail is running full speed ahead (excuse the pun). “At the heart of all of this is the


Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce. With 3,000 members, over


talent and take it from me, the future is bright. “As the new president, I have decided on two


themes to focus on. As a region we have a trade surplus with China and the United States. Our small and medium businesses, however, are still not exporting enough and the opportunities are out there. With GBCC’s exceptional international offering and the Asian Business Chamber of Commerce, British American Business Council and the Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce, I believe we are best positioned to start addressing the gap. “My second focus will be to champion the


contribution that our businesses make to the economy and to society. Businesses can be and are a force for good. Too often, however, we are overlooked or worse, vilified as a community when something goes wrong with a minority. “We are the job supporters, the wealth


creators, the entrepreneurs, the innovators and the risk-takers. “As the new president of the Chamber of


Commerce, I am determined to ensure that our leaders and policymakers recognise the immense contribution that our 3,000-strong membership make to the economy and to not take us for granted. To be able to adapt and address the inevitable headwinds, we require support and collaboration. “The greatest certainty, I have, is that the


Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce and its members will be pivotal in us achieving our potential. Of this, I have no doubt.”


All the news from the Chamber annual meeting – pages 6, 7, 8 & 9


Business News


October 2018 CHAMBERLINK5


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