Dave Crew

Somerset Chamber of Commerce has launched a new series of skills roundtables to bring business and education leaders together to help tackle skills gaps across the county. The Somerset Skills Forum initiative will initially focus on the health and social care, engineering and manufacturing and construction green skills sectors in partnership with Bridgwater & Taunton College, Strode College and Yeovil College. The forums are part of the Chamber’s Devon and Somerset Local Skills Improvement Plan project (LSIP), funded by the Department for Education, which aims to enhance regional skills programmes by responding to the needs of businesses. Spaces are limited so early booking is a must! Find out more and secure your place at the table here: bit.ly/4h7nWwJ

It always great to be able to thank our members for their support and our Managing Director, David Crew, was able to present a 10 year membership certificate to Richard Butcher on behalf of long-standing member The Roberts Group at our Construction Connections event today! The Roberts Group is a family-owned skip, plant hire and waste management specialist with over 80 years of service and experience, including asbestos management, demolition and recycling!

Connecting with the right people is key to the success of your business. Whether you’re growing your personal brand or looking for new leads, creating the right content on LinkedIn will ensure you stand out from the crowd! Join experts Karen Morledge and Serin Brown of Morledge and Co for this interactive workshop to take your business to the next level. You’ll leave with a tailored plan to keep the momentum going on the platform that connects over one billion professionals globally! Maximising LinkedIn, Tuesday, January 21, from 9.30am to 1.30pm Don’t miss out, book now: bit.ly/3OLe0wt

AI is already a huge part of our everyday lives but are you using it to boost your own business? Find out how you can seamlessly integrate AI into your company with our introduction to AI workshop with experts from Cosmic. Discover the essentials of artificial intelligence, learn about practical tools like ChatGPT and explore how AI can streamline your operations, enhance customer interactions and boost your competitive edge. Benefit from hands-on exercises, strategic insights and discussions tailored to the unique needs of business. An introduction to AI, January 30, from 10am to 1pm. Places are limited and early booking is advised: bit.ly/3ZrsS82

Our Managing Director, David Crew, is out and about today visiting members in Glastonbury. Thanks to Melhuish and Saunders for hosting a great conversation! David met with Darryl Mitchard and Lucy Mitchard to discuss the construction industry, the importance of long-standing customer relationships and how important bringing through skilled tradespeople is to the construction ecosystem. Thank you to Darryl, Lucy and the team for being a valued member of the Somerset Chamber of Commerce!

Our Managing Director, David Crew, and Board Chair, Emma Warren, visited Hinkley Point C (HPC) this week to see the latest progress on site. Thanks to Andrew Cockcroft, Head of Stakeholder Relations and Social Impact at HPC, for hosting a very positive visit and meeting to discuss further collaboration in 2025. Somerset Chamber has been a key partner with HPC developer EDF for many years and continues to work in partnership with EDF to deliver the Hinkley Supply Chain. Local businesses have secured more than £400m of contracts through Somerset Chamber and the supply chain, helping firms to invest and grow, while also helping to secure the UK's future low carbon energy supply.

"Our recent quarterly economic survey told us that tax rises were the main concern of Somerset businesses and, as expected, yesterdays’ Autumn Statement saw the Chancellor confirm what was widely expected. "Businesses were already hesitant or struggling to invest in people, plant, premises and products. This increased cost burden through higher employer National Insurance contributions, an increase in the minimum wage and reduced Business Rates Relief will add to the worry," David Crew, MD of Somerset Chamber of Commerce. Read his full response to the Budget here: bit.ly/4e4F301 As part of our commitment to supporting Somerset's businesses, we hosted an online discussion this morning with tax, policy and HR experts to help firms understand more about the implications of the Budget. Around 30 businesses took part in the event – with thanks to Michael Cahill of Albert Goodman, Debra Spurway of The HR Dept and Jonny Haseldine of the British Chambers of Commerce for sharing their expertise.

Somerset Chamber Managing Director, David Crew, and Chamber Board Chair, Emma Warren, visited Business Partner Bridgwater & Taunton College to meet Matt Tudor, the college’s Vice Principal, Strategy and Partnership. Discussions included how the college continues to create new courses, the growth of its vast training offering, responding to the Somerset Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) and how it’s Taunton campus is now home to an employer and student co-working space called The Realm. A successful business and skills ecosystem is key to unlocking the potential of Somerset. Thanks to Matt and his team for hosting such a positive meeting and tour of the campus. Somerset Chamber is looking forward to collaborating with Bridgwater & Taunton College and regional skills partners to continue to help address business needs for skills and talent during 2025 and beyond.

The Government has announced the biggest shake-up of employment in decades which could mean huge changes – and, potentially, increased costs - for businesses. We know Somerset firms are already struggling with skills shortages, social mobility issues and the transportation challenges posed by our rural county so any additional burdens could be a heavy toll to bear. But the UK needs a thriving workforce to drive growth and, if handled correctly, the proposed legislation could have the potential to get more people back into work. However, without proper consultation, it also has the potential to smother businesses in red tape and increased costs. This Bill is very much a starting point and it is unlikely changes will come into force before 2026. Somerset Chamber will continue to work closely with members and the wider Chamber network to ensure the voice of business is heard at all levels of government. You can read more about the Bill here: bit.ly/3A3kfI3 David Crew, Managing Director, Somerset Chamber of Commerce

Find out what the new Labour Government's first Autumn Statement will mean for your business with our online panel of experts - Mike Cahill @michaelcahill1, of Albert Goodman @AG_LLP, Debra Spurway of The HR Department @TheHRDept and British Chambers of Commerce @britishchambers Policy Manager, Jonny Haseldine 👇

Our Managing Director, David Crew, visited Somerset Chamber Business Partner WPA Health Insurance, in Taunton, to meet their Corporate Communications Director, Charlie MacEwan, to discuss everything from workplace culture and talent and skills, to the importance of community impact in business. They also had the chance to talk about plans for the 2025 Business Partnership!

Not sure if Chamber membership is for you and your business? Then read on to find out more about raising the profile of your company and how membership could save you money, too! 👇 Contact our membership team here: bit.ly/4ccrpXz

Somerset Chamber of Commerce is delighted to announce David Crew has been appointed as the Chamber’s new Managing Director. David will be a familiar face to many Chamber members as he is currently Vice-Chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, a Somerset Business Awards judge and a Chamber Business Partner in his current role as a growth and partnerships director at Weston College. David said: “I am delighted to be joining Somerset Chamber of Commerce and truly believe in its core values to support businesses to connect, influence and grow." He will take up the role in September. Full details here: bit.ly/4fi7pps

Thank you to the @CountyGazette for the great coverage of the appointment of our new Managing Director, @DaveCrewFE👇 New managing director for Somerset Chamber of Commerce somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/24470499.…

@seanpolice Alicante, enjoy!

Go on then... where am I?.....

We take pride in fostering the next generation of talent by hosting T level students from @westoncollege Today we were pleased to welcome Emma and Luke from @westoncollege & agree to take on more T Level students to join our Engineering Department! #NAW2024 #TLevelThursday

The Chamber's membership team will be in Weston-super-Mare next Thursday so why not drop in to the Revo Kitchen and Terrace on Marine Parade between 9am and midday for a coffee and an informal chat about the many benefits of joining the Chamber network 👇

Congratulations @westoncollege! 🎊 Over 20 years (shhhhhhh 😜) since doing A-levels with you. It's amazing to see how far the College has come, especially on the #SEND & employability side. ❤️ Without you, my sisters, brother, and I wouldn't be where we are now. 🙏 Thank you!

Develop your skills and knowledge to manage a team with @westoncollege's virtual Step up to Lead course. The ILM-accredited Level 3 Certificate is designed for upcoming managers, and will support you with key managerial skills. Enrol today: weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-stu…

Our nominations for the 2024 Business Awards are open! If you work with one of our incredible learners, through an apprenticeship, traineeship, placement, etc., then nominate them and give them deserved recognition! Nominations close on February 9th. ➡️weston.ac.uk/BusinessAwards…