Annual Meeting Special LONG STANDING MEMBERS HONOURED Hitting the right notes for many years


Specially engraved whistles were presented to three Chamber member firms to mark their long-standing membership. The whistles were produced by Acme Whistles, the world’s largest and


best known producer of whistles who themselves are longstanding Chamber members and their managing director, Simon Topman, is a past- president.


The firms honoured were:


Squire Patton Boggs A Chamber member for over 50 years


An international law firm with more than 1,500 lawyers in 47 locations across 20 countries - equipped to provide informed insight at the point where law, business and government meet. Based in the city centre for over 100


years, their full-service Birmingham office is home to over 100 lawyers working in a dynamic and progressive business community. The team has a particular strength in advising businesses involved in the automotive, manufacturing, retail, hospitality, healthcare and construction industries and is at the forefront of supporting growth and development in the region. They are passionate about and actively engaged in promoting Greater Birmingham as a place to live and work through patronage of GBCC.


Samuel Heath & Sons plc A Chamber member for over 50 years


Established in 1820, Samuel Heath is a British manufacturer that has become internationally renowned for innovation and quality. The company


CHAIRMAN: DAVID WALLER


Growth and successes praised in annual report


In his introduction to the annual report, David Waller (pictured), chairman of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, spoke of his pride in the achievements of the team’s performance under the leadership of chief executive Paul Faulkner. He said: “We have


enjoyed another year of continued growth and success in all of our key areas, providing the voice of business in the region, delivering services to members and running an extensive programme of networking events. “Our annual dinner at the ICC


was the largest ever with over with over 1,400 delegates. I am very proud of the Chamber team who, under the leadership of our chief executive Paul Faulkner, has grown our membership, improved our service provision and provided exemplary support to our business membership “Our president, Paul Kehoe, has worked tirelessly to extend our


horizons into new geographies and international trade. I know that his efforts will prove beneficial for many businesses as we enter into a new era of trading and expanding overseas markets. “In the same vein,


our Asian Business Chamber of Commerce won the Rawalpindi Chamber International Trade Award and our British


American Business Council


hosted their annual dinner which included a speech from the American ambassador. “We have many new services


and activities being readied to support our members through Brexit and the global changes in our business activities that will follow. To this end, we have established a new section The Greater Birmingham Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce which will work at establishing trade links with many countries throughout the world.”


October 2018 CHAMBERLINK9


began as a traditional brass founder and has produced over the years a vast array of products from bedsteads to high quality giftware and fireside accessories. Today, however, it is as a manufacturer of bathroom accessories, taps, showers and architectural hardware from which Samuel Heath has built a worldwide reputation for stylish design, quality and performance. Samuel Heath is a long standing member of the Chamber, and say they have found the relationship


to be valuable, particularly when they looked to expand into overseas markets. The GBCC has been able to provide a depth of


information on tariffs and customs practice, to help them build sales to a point where 40 per cent of our product is exported. The processes for essential certification is effective and the favourable pricing for membership means that it is very cost effective.


East End Foods plc A Chamber member for over 40 years


East End Foods specialises in ethnic food ingredients and wholesale distribution. The company was founded in the West Midlands in 1972 by five Wouhra Brothers, who were originally from New Delhi. As an independent family business, they have grown to be one of the largest Asian food companies in the UK. Today East End Foods runs two successful cash and carries and a


manufacturing site in Birmingham. They have been involved with the Chamber for over 40 years and have been assisted by their services throughout their growth, be it for exporting or gaining business support. East End Foods are proud founder members of the IAB (Institute of Asian Business), now the Asian Business Chamber of Commerce.


Business News


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