Lichfield & Tamworth Lichfield & Tamworth Chamber Patrons
Contact: Chris Brewerton T: 0845 6036650
LEP programme connects business leaders
Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is set to launch a new peer network programme, to connect business leaders from around the county. The network will address issues such as the
Covid-19 pandemic, Brexit, environmental legislation, as well as growth strategies, HR, change management, innovation, succession and planning, with the aim of improving the region’s business landscape and driving economic prosperity. Everyone completing the programme will
be invited to an exclusive talk on ‘Teamship’ from England’s Rugby World Cup winning coach, Sir Clive Woodward, during March 2021. Chamber director Chris Plant said: “This is a
great opportunity for current and aspiring business leaders to have a meaningful input into the future of our region’s economy and to assist in subsequent economic growth and prosperity. “Participants will be grouped into peer
networks based on sector, area of expertise and businesses challenges faced within their respective business. The networks will meet to discuss strategic and operational challenges and work together to find practical solutions. “The programme is fully funded with a
minimum commitment of 21.5 hours.” Participants will sign up to a series of five
network meetings, each lasting three hours, which will take place every fortnight from now onwards and will be facilitated by an experienced business consultant.
Anyone interested in joining should email Chris Plant
c.plant@
chase-chamber.com)
Support in place for start-up businesses
The Chamber is backing efforts by Staffordshire County Council to help entrepreneurs setting up new businesses. The entrepreneurs will be able to access a
range of support, thanks to schemes set up by the county council as part of its economic recovery plan. The first of these was the new Start-up
Scheme, which is being run by the Chamber. The scheme was launched with £360,000 of county council funding, and is aimed at supporting people who found themselves at risk of redundancy or unemployment due to the pandemic. The initial aim is to support 300 people and see 200 businesses started. The scheme has already attracted more than 100 applications. The county council has now launched a
£100,000 Start-up Loan Scheme, to provide interest-free loans of between £3,000 and £5,000, with no payment arrangements for the first 12 months. This is a pilot scheme and could be extended if successful. A Student Start-up Scheme is also in the
pipeline. The three-year programme aims to engage 4,000 students and is supported by the four Staffordshire colleges. The county council has invested £165,000 in this scheme. Chamber director Chris Plant said: “Start-ups
are the most important part of the business cycle. They increase business density, create jobs, create wealth and contribute significantly to the provision of public services. “Start-ups play a significant role in the
economic growth of Staffordshire. In addition to Adcocks makes key appointment
Lichfield solicitor Adcocks has appointed Kerry Davies as head of its private client services department. Ms Davies is from Rugeley, and has spent 18
years working for a law practice in Cumbria and Lancashire, but has returned to her hometown to be closer to family. She said: “My husband and I are originally from Rugeley and when we decided to move
Homecoming: Kerry Davies
back to the area, I wanted to join a firm not dissimilar to my previous one and Adcocks fitted the bill. “Everyone’s been lovely and welcoming, so I
already feel like I’ve settled in. I’m looking forward to continuing past successes and hopefully building upon the foundations established by the Adcock family and their colleagues, as well as assisting with training junior staff.” Senior Director Mark Adcock, grandson of the
founder of the Lombard Street firm, said: “We are delighted to reveal that we are expanding and to welcome Kerry to the family. She will be a great addition to our private client law team. “Especially so as she brings with her
experience in a new area of private client work for us, namely divorce and family law, an area we haven’t covered for many years. “I’m very pleased that we have been able to
recruit someone of Kerry’s calibre to the practice to manage and grow our private client services.”
48 CHAMBERLINK December 2020/January 2021 Chris Plant: start-ups play a ‘significant role’
creating much needed jobs in a time of economic uncertainty, they also inject dynamism into the marketplace by spurring innovation and creating competition.” Staffordshire County Council’s deputy leader
and cabinet member for economy and skills Philip White said: “Staffordshire is one of the best places in the UK to set up and grow a business. Start-ups and SMEs employ thousands of people in Staffordshire and support for them forms part of our economic recovery plan in response to the Covd-19 pandemic. We have excellent survival rates for new businesses in the county and we recognise that during recessions more people embark on setting one up. “We continue to work with the LEP and other
partners to increase start-ups across the county and put additional support programmes in place.”
Outstanding restaurant claims third rosette
Fine-dining restaurant The Boat Inn has received a third AA rosette. The award is only given to “outstanding restaurants that achieve standards that demand recognition well beyond their local area”. During their visit the AA inspectors look for
cooking that is underpinned by the selection and sympathetic treatment of the highest quality ingredients alongside intuitive service and a well-chosen wine list. The restaurant, based on Walsall Road, is also
listed in the 2020 Michelin guide. General manager Steve Locklin said: “It is a
huge honour to receive this award from the AA. “We are now the only restaurant in Staffordshire
to currently hold three AA rosettes and that is something that we are immensely proud of. The hard work continues now to maintain this standard and look to push on to the next level.” During the current lockdown, The Boat Inn
has launched a new initiative entitled ‘Liam’s Fried Chicken’.
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