Simon Cox - Supporting Business Growth

16/10/2024

Last week, the UK Government introduced the Employment Rights Bill that seeks to make changes to workers’ rights in the UK.

The BCC’s next thematic survey will be a snap poll to gather business views on the bill and gauge priorities ahead of the Autumn Budget.

This survey looks at:

- reaction to measures in the Employment Rights Bill;
priorities for the Autumn Budget;

- attitudes and progress towards Net Zero; and

- impact of ongoing global conflicts.

The survey is now in field and will run until the end of October. This survey will be in place of the previously scheduled Net Zero Survey, but does retain some key questions around net zero.

SURVEY LINK: https://research.britishchambers.org.uk/survey/selfserve/215e/poll2024

Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce Milton Keynes Chamber of Commerce

14/10/2024

Is your business based in Northamptonshire ?

Are you facing difficulties in finding suitable new staff?

Are you aware of the wider workforce available to you?

We recognise the challenges that businesses are facing in recruiting staff.

The Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce is leading a project across West Northamptonshire to help businesses understand inclusive recruiting practices in order to support staffing and business growth.

These workshops are fully funded by UK Government and include a buffet breakfast or lunch.

Programme delivery is by the following organisations: Learning and Skills Academy CIC, Diversiti, Track NN, Haus of HR, Job Centre Plus and ACE Working.

It's open to members and non-members so book your place here: https://northants-chamber.co.uk/event/taking-the-fear-out-of-inclusive-recruitment-2/

09/10/2024

Today I’ve been out in Kettering town centre with Cllr Emily Fedorowycz talking to local businesses about the challenges they are having, ideas for the future and to make sure they are aware of the various support available to them.

It’s been lovely to talk to them about Small Business Saturday UK, BIPC Northamptonshire, grants available from North Northamptonshire Council and to hear what it's like on the front foot of Kettering town centre.

Thank you to those I spent time with and I look forward to my next visit. Good to see a new addition coming to the town in Chop Stix.

09/10/2024

Recently I met with Lee Barron - Proud Member of Parliament for Corby & East Northants, as an introductory meeting took NNBN and my role at the Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce as Head of Policy. I look forward to further engagement in the future starting with our visit to Parliament in two weeks time and ensuring that businesses can engage with him through round table discussions going into 2025.

06/10/2024

The final award of this year's NNBN Awards was another new category which Marie and I chose to recognise a particular NNBN member in the room on the night.

This year, the NNBN Shining Star Award went to Allen Tew from the Holiday Inn Express Kettering for his hard work and achievement.

Allen has been a key person in the Northamptonshire business community and first joined his employer seven years ago. He started as a waiter on a zero hour contact and worked his way through various roles including receptionist/social media co-ordinator, sales co-ordinator and now to Head of Sales for two hotels in Northamptonshire.

Marie and I felt Allen's progress combined with how he coped during the pandemic when times were extremely tough for the hospitality sector and how he has always support NNBN since the beginning, that he should be recognised as the first recipient of the NNBN Shining Star Award.

Well done Allen, keep up the good work!

06/10/2024

This year, a new category was awarded to one of the finalists called the Wilson Browne Spotlight Award and this was chosen by our Event Sponsors Wilson Browne Solicitors.

The proud recipient this year was Silverstone Leasing and they received their recognition from Business Development and Marketing Director Wayne Jenkins.

Many congratulations to Scott and Ryan from Silverstone Leasing who received the Award and thank you once again to Wilson Browne Solicitors for their support as Event Sponsors this year.

Pictures by Nick Freeman Photography

06/10/2024

The Special Recognition Award this year went to Elaine Nicholson MBE from Action for Neurodiversity to recognise the incredible work she does from her Corby base.

Sponsored by Video Inn Production, Ben Jones was on hand to present the award to Elaine to a room full of applause.

Well done Elaine, keep up the good work and well deserved!

Pictures by Nick Freeman Photography

06/10/2024

And so to Business of the Year for 2024 which was kindly sponsored by Hawsons Chartered Accountants in Northampton.

The Award this year went to Colonial Construction, also based in Northampton and Aimee Smith from Hawsons who themselves have been celebrating 170 years of business this year, was on hand to present the Award.

Well done everyone!

Pictures by Nick Freeman Photography

06/10/2024

The Small Business of the Year this year was won by Lime Design Studio based in Rushden and owner Michelle Cullington was a little surprised!

Thank you to category sponsor Repair Not Replace for their support of the NNBN Awards this year and Michelle was met by owner Mark Jones on the stage as well as Event Sponsor Vicki Pearce from Wilson Browne Solicitors.

Well done Lime Design Studio!

Pictures by Nick Freeman Photography

06/10/2024

Micro businesses are so important to our local economy and it was great that Tom Green from Square Feet Coworking sponsored the Micro Business of the Year category again this year.

The category this year was won by Ena HR & Training and Kate and Caroline were met by Vicki Pearce from Wilson Browne Solicitors as the Event Sponsor on the stage as well as Tom where they were presented with their award.

Well done!

Pictures by Nick Freeman Photography

06/10/2024

Starting a business is an exciting place to be and thank you to Alastair McLeod from the Business Doctors Northampton for sponsoring this category.

Well done to Animal Focused for winning the Start Up Business of the Year Award this year and one question from us..... "Who let the dogs out!"

Vicky and Michelle certainly celebrated their way to the stage where they were met by Vikki Pearce from Event Sponsors Wilson Browne Solicitors and Alastair McLeod!

Well done once again!

Pictures by Nick Freeman Photography

06/10/2024

The Business Person of the Year this year was Lucienne Shakir from Lucienne Coaching and Founder of the Female Founders Summit.

Here Sara Homer, CEO of the Brackmills Industrial Estate BID Northampton presented the Award to Lucienne who was also accompanied by Vikki Pearce from Wilson Browne Solicitors as the Event Sponsor.

Well done Lucienne!

06/10/2024

Hair & Beauty Business of the Year was won by Northampton based Daniel Granger Hairdressing - many congratulations to you all!

With the category sponsored by the Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce, it was great to see CEO Louise Wall joining Jenny Woodruff from Event Sponsors Wilson Browne Solicitors on stage to present the team from Daniel Granger Hairdressing with their award.

Many congratulations once again!

06/10/2024

Next up at the NNBN Awards was the Food & Drink Business of the Year and this was won by Wine Chateau - Moldova Wines based in Wellingborough.

Many congratulations to Cristina and Constantin who were last year's Runners Up!

Here you can see Cristina with Allen Tew from Category Sponsors Holiday Inn Express Kettering and Jenny Woodruff from Event Sponsors Wilson Browne Solicitors.

Well done Cristina and Constantin!

06/10/2024

Next up we were delighted to have our sector specific categories with the Health & Wellbeing Business of the Year.

This year, this category was sponsored by last year's winners Beccy Hurrell Voice & Arts Ltd and it was lovely to see them hand the award on to Lucie Downer Performing Arts, based in Wellingborough.

Many congratulations to Lucie and the team.

Here you can see Director of BHVA, Lindsey Atkins presenting the Award to Lucie Downer Performing Arts accompanied by Jenny Woodruff from Event Sponsors Wilson Browne Solicitors.

Well done all!

06/10/2024

Sustainability is key for all our futures and we were delighted to have The Green Award at this year's NNBN Awards.

Many congratulations to the winners of this category, See Limited based in Corby for all their hard work and here you can see Chris Langdon from Hanwood Park presenting the Award. Chris is also joined on stage by Jenny Woodruff from Events Sponsors Wilson Browne Solicitors.

Many congratulations See Limited!

Pictures by Nick Freeman Photography

06/10/2024

Many congratulations to Silverstone Museum for their success in winning the Northamptonshire Tourism Award sponsored by Discover Northamptonshire at this year's NNBN Awards.

Many congratulations to you all!

Here, Deputy Leader of North Northamptonshire Council Helen Howell is pictured with the Award winners along with Jenny Woodruff from Event Sponsors Wilson Browne Solicitors

Pictures by Nick Freeman Photography

06/10/2024

Many congratulations to New Lodge Farm for their success in winning the North Northamptonshire Enterprise Award sponsored by Tresham College (Part of The Bedford College Group) at this year's NNBN Awards.

Many congratulations to you!

Here Robin Webber - Jones, Principal of category sponsors Tresham College (Part of The Bedford College Group) presented the trophy.

Pictures by Nick Freeman - Photography

06/10/2024

Many congratulations to Barclays Bank plc - Northampton Talent Attraction Pillar for their success in winning the West Northamptonshire Enterprise Award sponsored by West Northamptonshire Council at this year's NNBN Awards

Here the winners are joined by Daniel Lister and Jenny Woodruff from Wilson Browne Solicitors on stage.

Many congratulations to you all!

Pictures by Nick Freeman Photography

05/10/2024

Yesterday was an amazing day in setting up for the NNBN Awards and it was a lovely welcome break to spend some time talking for Stuart Andrew for Daventry who dropped into the Mercure Hotel Northampton to take in the set up of the evening's event.

It was great to speak with him about what we do as NNBN, what Marie Cox and I do in the County and also my Head of Policy Role with the Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce. Watch this space for more in the future.

I also appreciated the break from setting up, next time we meet, I'll be dressed appropriately!

01/10/2024

In my Head of Policy role for Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce and Milton Keynes Chamber of Commerce, I'll be hosting the International Trade Forum on 22nd October at Northampton Active in Northampton.

The event supports all business that have an interest in starting, continuing, or growing in the world of export and overseas trade and is open to both Members and Non Members of the Chamber of Commerce.

Representatives from the Department of Business and Trade, Export Academy, Export Finance and Innovate UK Business Growth will all be on hand to answer questions and share trusted advice and knowledge.

There will then be a panel discussion about current trade insights and an opportunity to have delegate questions put to the panel for their thoughts or to answer specific questions.

You can book your place by visiting: https://northants-chamber.co.uk/event/international-trade-forum/

23/09/2024

Today was the first day of the Labour Party Conference and it was really uplifting to hear the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, talk about the potential to grow the UK economy.

This is a positive step forward and great to hear this has been recognised in her speech.

Have a read to the reaction from the British Chambers of Commerce here:

It was encouraging to hear the Chancellor recognising the huge potential of British business to grow the economy and her ambition to make that happen.

23/09/2024

Tomorrow night, I'll be back on Open4Business on NLive Radio Show, 106.9FM talking to a variety of guests including:

Kerry Bate from Polka Dot Events Management who joins me to talk about this Sunday's Northants Food Festival taking place at Kettering Park Hotel & Spa

Suzanne Young, Tanya Gordon and Nikki Stock join me to talk about "The Mentorship" and how they've joined forces to add value to other business owners

Gary Morgan from Enable AI joins me to talk about AI and his experience as part of the Vulcan Creatives programme run by Vulcan Works Creative Hub in Northampton

and Judith Hamilton joins me to talk to me about "Grow Her Business" - a programme designed to support female entrepreneurs and women in business.

Tune in from 7pm on Tuesday night on nliveradio.com or 106.9FM and YES THAT IS ME WITH A CHRISTMAS JUMPER! We're only three months away folks!

20/09/2024

Northampton Market is now open at the town’s historic market square as it returned today (20 September), following the area undergoing extensive regeneration to provide a renewed space for residents, businesses, and traders.

The town is home to one of the longest running outdoor markets in Europe and the reopening of the market from 20 September is a significant milestone in the transformation of the town, and forms part of the phased opening of the regeneration scheme. The wider rejuvenated market square will open to the public on 19 October with family-friendly festivities taking place on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 October.

As part of the extensive refurbishment traders have access to bespoke, fixed stalls as well as pop up stalls. These modern fixed stalls that benefit from electricity water and lighting, have been customised to meet the needs of traders and provide a safe and secure place to sell their goods.

A whole host of products and services can be discovered at Northampton’s historic market square including fresh flowers and plants, fruit and vegetables, a butcher, digital print services, ethically sourced Ghanaian crafts and a delicatessen offering locally made produce. This is complemented with services such as a key cutting and watch repairs, bicycle repair and small electricals sales and repairs. If you are looking to treat yourself there will be a nail salon or you can sample some of the delicious takeaway foods on offer.

Once the wider project fully opens from 19 October it will be enhanced by the new shoe-inspired water feature, a dedicated events space and improved landscaping which will create a welcoming environment.

Cllr Dan Lister, Cabinet Member for Local Economy, Culture and Leisure at WNC, said: “We are delighted to have welcomed traders and local business owners back to our historic market square. Visitors to the market can see first-hand the diverse mix of stalls and traders and discover the wide-range of goods and services on offer – come and prepare to be surprised. We are always keen to hear from local entrepreneurs who are looking to take the first step and showcase their business at Northampton’s market, so please do reach out if you’ve got an idea you’d like to discuss.

“Following the opening of the market, we look forward to inviting the community to come and join us for the official opening weekend on 19 and 20 October. With a wide range of zones for everyone to enjoy, including live music, local food and heritage to celebrate the history of our town, there will be something on offer for all the family. I’d encourage residents to save the date and keep their eye out for more information coming soon.”

If you have a great business or business idea and want to become part of Northampton’s rich heritage – get in touch to register your interest by contacting [email protected]

National developer, STACK, is also set to transform the vacant Market Walk shopping centre which sits on the Market Square into a vibrant new leisure, entertainment, and social community hub. This will be a vital part of expanding the night-time economy and amplifying the many reasons to visit the town.

20/09/2024

First official press release out as Head of Policy for Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce and Milton Keynes Chamber of Commerce supporting the British Chamber of Commerce announcement ahead of the Autumn Statement.

Read here:
Northants - https://lnkd.in/eXZ5hASB
MK - https://lnkd.in/eQKvg_Tn