Wednesday 4th Oct 2023

Cumbria Chamber of Commerce shortlisted for prestigious Chamber of the Year Award

Cumbria Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that it has been shortlisted as a finalist for the UK Chamber of the Year award at the British Chamber of Commerce’s Chamber Business Awards 2023.

The award celebrates the achievements of the 53 Accredited Chambers of Commerce across the UK over the last 12 months.

With only five Chambers making the shortlist, the announcement recognises Cumbria Chamber’s dedication to supporting and advocating for its thriving membership base and supporting businesses across the county.

Managing Director, Suzanne Caldwell, and Head of Commercial and Business Growth, Eve Halliday, gave a presentation to the BCC’s judging panel last week ahead of the announcement of the winning Chamber later this month.

The presentation touched on Cumbria Chamber’s achievements including the following and more:

Significant growth in membership numbers since emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The delivery of effective business support through Cumbria Business Growth Hub which – since 2011 – has supported 8,700 businesses, creating / safeguarding 6,600 jobs and creating an estimated £330m GVA.
Leading on Cumbria’s Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP), working collaboratively with partners and stakeholders, with actions from the reports already impacting positively on Cumbria’s businesses and population.
Assisting businesses to trade internationally by working closely with the Department for Business & Trade (DBT) and through our export documentation service.
Engaging businesses in supporting the Armed Forces through signing the Armed Forces Covenant and progressing through the Employer Recognition Scheme.
Actively supporting work to reduce re-offending through activities such as participation as an Employment Advisory Board member at HMP Haverigg and holding recruitment events at the prison leading to businesses successfully hiring prisoners on day-release and supporting post-release recruitment.
As a Disability Confident Leader, encouraging and supporting others to employ and ensure equality of opportunity for people with disabilities and long term health conditions.
Expanding member services to provide employees at member businesses with a staff rewards portal, a 24-hour employee assistance helpline, and an online employee wellbeing portal.
Working with partners and other stakeholders to support the green agenda.
Engaging the business community actively in research, policy and advocacy, enabling an effective voice for Cumbrian businesses locally and nationally.
Becoming an active and valued part of the national and international Chamber network, benefiting Cumbrian businesses and supporting other Chambers.

Cumbria Chamber MD, Suzanne Caldwell said:

“I’m delighted that we’ve been shortlisted for Chamber of the Year. It really reflects hard work and commitment across the whole of our team on behalf of our members and the Cumbrian business community. And indeed the active participation of members, other businesses, partners and other stakeholders. So many thanks to all who’ve been involved. It’s a positive reflection on us all.

The judges look right across the organisation, so it’s not just about membership and member services, it’s about the whole way we serve the business community and our wider involvement in the national and international Chamber network.

Obviously we’re keeping our fingers crossed for a win! But whether we win or not, we know, and the judges were clear, that the things that have got us shortlisted are having a really positive impact for Cumbrian businesses. At the end of the day that’s what we’re about as a Chamber – and we’ll be continuing to step it up from here!”