Chamber News

Tell us what you Think!

It seems like just a short while ago that the Chamber prepared a submission to the Chancellor in advance of his Autumn Statement.

We continue to hold previous suggestions, though once again we are making the call to members for any new suggestions that the Chamber should be putting forward to the Chancellor that would help support your business.

We’ll be making our submission on 20 February, so forward any comments and suggestions to brian.sloan@gmchamber.co.uk before 15 February.

Also don’t miss the Chamber’s Budget Live event, which we are hosting with HURST Accountants on March 20 at Salford City Stadium. This event will give you the opportunity to watch live and debate the Chancellor’s latest policy announcements with a panel of regional experts, as they give their views on what the announcements mean for the region’s businesses. Email rebecca.rawcliffe@hurst.co.uk to book a place.

Chinese Networking

The University of Manchester is holding a free networking and recruitment meeting with Chinese students on February 26.

Whether you are looking to hire graduates for overseas positions; are keen to attract Chinese speaking talent to work with you during their studies in the UK or simply would like to network and explore connections further, this networking event is for you. With over 2,000 Chinese students at Manchester, the University is a popular target for international talent recruitment.

To attend this event, email Amanda.conway@manchester.ac.uk with your name, the name of your organisation and the type of students you are keen to meet. You also need to specify whether you would like to bring a small stand/promotional materials with you (at no extra cost). 

Make the most of International Opportunities

UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is inviting North West food firms to make the most of a wealth of export opportunities in the Middle East by joining a trade mission to Gulfood in Dubai next month.

The mission is from Monday 25 February to Thursday 28 February and interested parties should contact Jackie Nolan for an application form at events@uktinorthwest.co.uk or call Jackie on 0161 875 2335 by 8 February.

UKTI is also holding an event on the benefits of doing business in Singapore on March 7th at Warren Bruce Court in Trafford Park. The event will provide an update on the business climate in Singapore and the surrounding region and explain how to set up a business in Singapore and take advantages of the generous tax concessions for newly formed companies. To book your free place click here or call Paul Yuan on 0161 875 2329 or email events@uktinorthwest.co.uk  

Meet the Buyers

Trafford Council and partner agencies are offering the chance for local businesses to meet members of the Strategic Procurement Team face to face to discuss forthcoming contract opportunities.

The free event is on March 8 at Sale Waterside Arts Centre. Email corporate.procurement@trafford.gov.uk or call Mary Pacer on 0161 912 1285 to book a place.

Stockport Council’s is also holding a Meet the Buyer event on 12 March. The event will allow Stockport-based companies to promote their goods and services to buyers acting on behalf of some of Stockport’s leading businesses and largest public sector organisations, through a series of tailored appointments.

All appointments will need to be pre-booked and the deadline for returning booking forms is 5pm tomorrow (Thursday 7 February). For more information on requesting an appointment go to www.stockport.gov.uk/meetthebuyer 

Breakfast with the Leader and Chief Executive of Oldham Council

The next strategic breakfast meeting for Oldham businesses takes place on Wednesday13 February 7.30 till 9.30am at Fresca Restaurant, Gatehead Business Park, Delph New Road, Delph, Oldham, OL3 5DE.

The breakfast will provide businesses with the opportunity to hear how Oldham Council is working to support local businesses and to speak directly to the Leader and Chief Executive of the Council about their business growth issues in a question and answer session. Following this session there will be an opportunity to network with other businesses. The event is for Oldham businesses only, places are restricted to two per business and will be allocated on a first come basis. Book your place by emailing shirley.burns@oldham.gov.uk stating any specific dietary requirements.

A Green and Gentle Footprint

The Church and Society Department of Manchester Diocese is hosting a one day Sustainability Exhibition on Wednesday 6 March.

This will be an open exhibition but will mainly target people from the diocese’s 259 parishes, 328 places of worship and 191 schools.

The organisers hope to have over 500 people attend on the day, with many more receiving exhibition information via the website afterwards.

The aim of the event is to help people find out about the actions they can take to care for their world, its people and the natural environment. If you would like to book a stall and/or a workshop space www.manchester.anglican.org/events/2925/church-and-schools-sustainability-exhibition, fill in the form and return it with relevant payment method by Friday 15 February. 

Look to the Future

A short series of free lunchtime seminars called 'New Futures' is being held in Manchester this month.

The events are aimed at providing practical expert input for professional people who are currently between jobs and seeking to gain an advantage in an increasingly competitive market.

The seminars are as follows: 12 February - Effective CV Writing, 26 February - Riding The Rollercoaster and 5 March - Job Hunting (Tips and Strategies for Shortening Your Job Search Time).

All three seminars will take place between 1pm and 1.50pm at Cobbetts, 58 Mosley Street, Manchester and refreshments will be provided. For more information go to www.ministry2business.co.uk or contact Rev Pete Horlock at pete@ministry2business.co.uk

Green Business News

The UK’s long-awaited Green Deal energy efficiency scheme has opened for business, with the first finance plans for ‘green makeovers’ in homes and businesses now on the market.

Meanwhile, researchers say governments and industry must lead a revolution in the way things are made, to keep up with the world’s demand for resources.

Finally, ENWORKS has scooped the European Commission's top award for environmental business support at the RegioStars Awards 2013. Sign up to free, fortnightly Green Intelligence e-bulletins from ENWORKS at www.greenintelligence.org.uk