Business News
Annual meeting special
Government listened when Chamber spoke - president
Initiatives launched by the Chamber in the face of Covid-19 contributed to “significant changes” in Government policy, president Steve Allen told the annual meeting’s virtual audience. He said this prompt action
resulted in the acceleration of grants being offered to businesses through campaigns like “Keep Business Moving” and the “Mind the Gap” report. Mr Allen said that after succeeding
Saqib Bhatti, who was elected to Parliament, a year early, the prospect of a Brexit deal, HS2 and the Commonwealth Games gave us “cautious optimism” for 2020. “But then, 2020 brought with it
the Covid-19 pandemic across the UK, affecting friends, family and loved ones. Here at the Chamber we were not immune, with the tragic loss of the distinguished businessman Nazir Awan, the brother of junior vice-president Nasir Awan.” Covid-19 had an “unprecedented
impact” in the West Midlands, said Mr Allen, and it was against this background that the Chamber team got to work. “Adopting the mantra ‘Keep
Business Moving’ the team set about creating in superfast time a Coronavirus Hub providing essential information on the impact of the Government’s regulations and what Government support was available for business. “In April, the Chamber published
our ‘Mind the Gap’ report which provided an analysis of Covid- related business support and the gaps that needed to be addressed, enabling the team to lobby Government and local stakeholders.” These initiatives “contributed to
Exceptional year - says chairman
Chairman David Waller said he was “extremely proud” that the Chamber had delivered another exceptional year. He told the meeting: “I am
Long service: Doug Henry (left) from Birmingham Assay Office and Phil Yates (right) of Sorion Electronics received awards recognising their firms’ longstanding memberships
Recognising long- standing members
Two Birmingham businesses have been recognised for clocking up over seven decades of Chamber membership between them. President Steve Allen presented long-standing member awards to Birmingham Assay Office and Sorion Electronics during the annual meeting. Following Chamber tradition, each organisation received a historic
Acme Thunderer whistle, manufactured by former president Simon Topman’s Birmingham firm Acme Whistles. Established in 1773, the Birmingham Assay Office is one of four
institutions in the UK set up to assay, test and hallmark precious metals. Doug Henry, its chief executive, said: “This award recognises at least 55 years of membership of the Chamber. We’re honoured to receive it.” Sorion Electronics, celebrating its 30th anniversary, provides end-of-
the-line test and process control systems for the automotive, aerospace and manufacturing industries. Managing director Phil Yates said: “We’ve been members of the Birmingham Chamber for 14 years and have used its skills in translations, training and help with Brexit.” Mr Allen said: “I can’t think of a better place to reward than Sorion,
which leads the work it’s doing in manufacturing, And I’m delighted to honour such a historic institution as the Assay Office.”
significant changes in Government policy, like the acceleration of business grants and the ‘flexible furlough scheme”. These were just two of the measures that we had
been calling for. Mr Allen said he was delighted
when all of this important work was recognised by the Queen in a letter to the Chamber network.
Office sale marks new chapter
The sale of Chamber of Commerce House marked the start of an “exciting chapter” for the Chamber, said chief executive Paul Faulkner (pictured) in the annual report. He said: “The sale of the building, which has housed
the Chamber since it opened in 1960, marks the start of another exciting chapter for the organisation. “At a time of so much uncertainty and challenge, the transaction has removed our two greatest pre-Covid risks and will allow us to strengthen our team and operations for the benefit of members. “We will remain at Chamber House and look
forward to benefitting from redevelopment plans for the building, which will finally allow us to occupy a physical space that is reflective of the vibrant and dynamic organisation the Chamber has become.” Mr Faulkner praised the Chamber team for rapidly
8 CHAMBERLINK December 2020/January 2021
adapting to the restrictions imposed by Covid-19, “working seamlessly from home, changing a whole host of plans and events as well as learning the intricacies of Zoom.
“I have always been extremely proud to lead the fantastic Chamber team, but never more so than during this current crisis. “I thank the Chamber board, led by chairman David Waller, for their support and for helping guide the organisation through a complex time with calmness, understanding and humour. “I also thank both the presidents who served during 2019/20. Saqib Bhatti was elected MP for
Meriden so stood down after 14 months as president and Steve Allen, who took up the chains of office ahead of schedule, and has done a brilliant job during the toughest economic challenges in living memory.”
extremely proud of our teams at the Chamber and in our divisions, who have delivered another exceptional year for our members and business across the region. “I am excited that our membership has continued to grow during the year and our most recent divisions, Commonwealth, Transatlantic and Future Faces have made substantial progress. “We have introduced support for members which has encouraged many who have been facing difficult times to remain part of the Chamber. We now have over 3,000 active members. This makes the Chamber the most powerful and influential voice for business in our area. “We are recognised for our
expertise and influence in national, regional and local policy making.”
Helen Bates, the Chamber’s chief financial officer, described the sale of Chamber of Commerce House in Edgbaston as a “huge achievement” that reduced “our two most significant risks: the property and the final salary pension scheme”. She reported that turnover in the
year was up two per cent on the previous year, at £7.4m and added that the more significant transactions were those relating to the property sale and the contribution to the pension scheme, resulting in a surplus of £1,683,000. Ms Bates added: “Our balance
sheet now has total reserves of £1.7m, putting us in a strong position to face the challenges arising from the coronavirus pandemic and the impact on businesses in the region.”
The appointment of leading regional businessman Nasir Awan, chief executive of Awan Marketing, one of the largest wholesale businesses in the UK, as junior vice-president was confirmed at the meeting. And Doug Wright, a McDonald’s
franchisee who also chairs the board of governors for Ronald McDonald House Charities, was confirmed as a member of the Chamber board.
Transatlantic president is honoured for his global work – see page 20 and 21
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