CEO’s Report for Cornwall Chamber of Commerce 2016
The year to 31st March 2016 was another satisfying, stretching and successful year for Cornwall Chamber. Ultimately for us, success means providing more and better services for businesses. We are much like other businesses in being customer-focused but we don’t need to provide a profit for shareholders or owners, so most of our surplus is ploughed back to improve our offering. I use the word ‘businesses’ rather than ‘members’ because only by looking at what all businesses in Cornwall & Scilly need will we attract more members. And I’m delighted to say we are doing this with some success – up from 308 paying members when I started to just over 500 today. Since the year end we have been shortlisted for British Chambers of Commerce Excellence in Membership Award and are going to London for the Awards Dinner next month. Fingers crossed but more likely next year I feel.
Not only are we champions of the private sector in making it easier to do business today but we are now the body which represents the business community in Cornwall & Scilly at a strategic level influencing policy at Cornwall Council, the LEP and, since Brexit this financial year, at national level to make it easier to do business here tomorrow, next year and next decade. The Business Plan for Cornwall was a great success in terms of profile, clarity of vision and as an influential medium. We shall be working on the 2017-18 version shortly.
Financially, I am satisfied with the surplus because additional available funds have all been used effectively to secure our position as the primary influencer on behalf of enterprise, to increase membership and to win other business. I was – and am - very pleased at the end of the year to be invited to become a director of the business. On your behalf I will continue to do my best for Cornwall Chamber and to lead the team in a process of continuous improvement.
Right at the year end and with every confidence for the year ahead we moved across the car park at Cardrew House to bigger and brighter offices. We don’t do ‘grand’ but at least Mel and I havea wonderful view of Cornwall’s industrial heritage laid out before us from our new office which feels appropriate. If you haven’t been to see us, we would love to welcome you there soon. The confidence has been rewarded with the award of three public sector contracts in fields that we would like to deliver anyway and are perfectly structured to help Cornish businesses. We have re-won a further year’s contract to deliver Careers Fairs to secondary schools. Bridging the Gap between schools and employment is an area that British Chambers are committed to and to which Mel brings a huge amount of experience and passion. During the year Mel invited and accompanied David Walrond the principal of Truro & Penwith College and the LEP to London for the British Chambers Business & Education summit which was a huge success and a great chance to align business needs to our further education providers. The trip has just been repeated with Mel taking Sally Foard, Group Director of Development,Cornwall College Group and Clare Harris of the LEP to this year’s conference.
The second contract is a two year contract for the Growth Hub On the Road outreach programme targeting SMEs that have not previously benefited from business support; and thirdly the Export for Growth two year programme to encourage SMEs to export or, if they’re already doing so, to look at a new market. A fourth private sector contract sees Mel being paid for half a day a week working on tenders for our business partner Pirate FM.
Most importantly, none of these public sector contracts affect our independence to think, lobby, work, champion Cornwall & Scilly’s businesses’ needs, influence strategy and provide a wide range of services for business. We’re here to help you at all times and we’re anticipating further growth and success in the Year 2016-17. So please do get involved if you can. We would love your input.
Kim Conchie
Chief executive, Cornwall Chamber of Commerce
October 2016