| British Chambers of Commerce | |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | BCC |
| Motto | The Ultimate Business Network |
| Formation | 1860 |
| Legal status | Not-for-profit organisation |
| Purpose/focus | Chambers of commerce in the UK, and UK business |
| Location | 65 Petty France, Westminster, SW1H 9EU |
| Region served | Global |
| Membership | 92,000 |
| Director-General | John Longworth |
| Affiliations | Business Link |
| Website | British Chambers of Commerce |
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is the national body for a powerful and influential network of 52 accredited Chambers of Commerce across the UK, representing 92,000 businesses that together employ 4,800,000 employees. Members range from growth-oriented start-ups to local and regional subsidiaries of multinational companies, in all commercial and industrial sectors, and from all over the UK. It has offices in both London, and Coventry. The London office is on Petty France, near the Ministry of Justice (former Home Office), and off Buckingham Gate (A323).
Every Chamber sits at the very heart of its local community working with businesses to grow and expand their operations by sharing opportunities, knowledge and know-how. They have a particular focus on international trade, policy and representation, skills development and business services.
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In January 2011, the BCC launched its campaign to make 2011 a Year for Growth for businesses. It focuses on four key areas:
A Year for Growth requires real action to make it easier for companies – whether start-ups, medium-sized family businesses or multinational firms – to take on staff throughout the UK.
A Year for Growth demands action to simplify planning and development control – with a system that privileges business expansion, not entrenched interests or the status quo.
A Year for Growth means greater responsiveness from Government and financial institutions – to help companies seeking to make major investments in people, machinery, premises and new ideas.
A Year for Growth must also be a year for exports – with concrete action to support new exporters, encourage firms to enter new markets, and facilitate critical trade finance flows.
John Longworth has been Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) since September 2011. Mr Longworth has held a number of high-profile roles in business and public life, including stints as a senior executive at Asda and Tesco. He is currently a non-executive director of the Co-operative Group Food Ltd and Nichols plc, is a member of the Competition Commission, and is active in both social enterprise and a Midlands-based venture capital-backed company, SVA Ltd.
The Chamber Awards were launched by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) in 2004 to recognise and celebrate business excellence through the successes and achievements of its Accredited Chambers of Commerce and their members. To date, there have been 620 Chamber Award winners and over £250,000 given out in cash prizes. Businesses can enter this year's awards.[1]
The BCC holds an annual conference every year. The one day event brings together business owners, Chambers of Commerce, and Ministers. The 2011 conference was held in Church House, Westminster along the theme of a Year for Growth. Guest speakers included
The British Chambers of Commerce Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) is the largest and most representative independent business survey of its kind in the UK covering a substantial percentage of small businesses and the subsidiaries of large businesses.
Future publication dates
The British Chambers of Commerce is the ultimate business network made up of 52 Accredited Chambers of Commerce across the UK, representing 92,000 businesses that together employ 4,800,000 employees.
The 52 accredited Chambers are: