Bournemouth Chamber of Trade & Commerce

Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce

BELONG. CONNECT. PROSPER

Facebook Linkedin Instagram

Author: Bournemouth Chamber of Trade & Commerce

Posted on

Cyber Webinar for Small Businesses and Charities – 19th July 2022

RESPONDING TO FRAUD AND CYBERCRIME

The South West Cyber Resilience Centre (SWCRC) is a police/private sector collaboration, run on behalf of regional forces and led by serving staff. It aims to make small businesses and charities more cyber resilient.

SWCRC is running a webinar on 19th July 2022 from 08:30 – 09:30, to teach local businesses more about how cybercriminals operate, and to encourage them to sign up for the centre’s free offer of guidance and support. The webinar is being supported and advertised by the South West Business Council and Business West, two of the largest business groups in the region.

SWCRC provides businesses with guidance on basic security, and the support to implement it, plus a bite-size programme on basics for those who need it. They also circulate a monthly update of the latest threats to avoid, and can provide inexpensive services like website and systems testing, using a network of ethical hackers.

The webinar’s content will include two keynote presentations from industry experts on how public data can be used against a business, and on the current research into cyber threats. It will also signpost SWCRC’s free support, in an effort to help participants better protect themselves.

Registration for the event is via this link. The SWCRC are seeking your support to publicise the Webinar as widely as possible via your networks, as a great way to showcase policing’s regional work to support the business community.

Further to this, if you would like SWCRC to draft specific content to assist, please contact them at enquiries@swcrc.co.uk and they will be very happy to oblige. Your marketing teams can also follow SWCRC on LinkedIn if you want to see and support future events; they are always amenable to providing a future bespoke session locally, in support of your own programme.

Posted on

Building back better: what next for Dorset?

Building back better: what next for Dorset? Thursday 7 July 2022, 7pm – 8.00pm

 Find out how Bournemouth University is supporting the regional economy, boosting skills and advancing growth.

Researchers from BU will be joined by local representatives from the Poole Business Improvement District and the Dorset Chamber, to discuss the future of our region in a panel discussion.

We’ll focus on three main themes;

  • The future of the high street
  • Skills gaps in the local economy
  • What makes Dorset special?

Find out more about this event and book your free place: Book here

 

Posted on

News roundup from Dorset Gateway

Dorset Gateway is Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership’s growth hub. We’re here to help businesses across Dorset find the right advice, support and funding to enable them to grow and prosper. This is the latest edition of our newsletter.

Smart Grant Opportunities

UK registered organisations can apply for grant funding of between £100,000 to £2 million for game-changing and commercially viable R&D innovation that can significantly impact the UK economy. This funding is from Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation.  The current round of funding closes on the 27th July 2022.

Read More

Net Zero Hydrogen Fund

The Net Zero Hydrogen Fund is now available to support the commercial redeployment of new low carbon hydrogen production projects.

The fund will provide grant funding of between £80,000 and £15 million to support development expenditure for front end engineering design (FEED) and post-FEED studies for low carbon hydrogen production facilities.

Read More

Go Green with Free access to Climate Essentials

Local businesses across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole with up to 250 employees are now eligible for a year of exclusive FREE ACCESS to the Climate Essentials platform – helping them manage and track their carbon emissions.

To sign up simply email ClimateEssentials@bcpcouncil.gov.uk and include your business name, sector, number of employees and contact information.

Read More

Apprenticeships 2.0 Conference

Join Dorset Careers Hub on the 29th June at their 1-day conference for HR & Business Leaders.

The conference is designed to tackle the staffing issues facing companies and industries, whilst creating greater opportunities for all.

Read More

National Manufacturing Day

On 7th July 2022, Make UK is encouraging manufacturers to open their doors in a UK wide event.

This initiative will give local communities the chance to see potential careers and jobs on offer within the wonderfully diverse manufacturing sector.  The aim of the event is to engage with a wide range of individuals from different age groups and at different stages of their careers, such as school leavers, graduates and people looking to reskill.

For Make UK and Manufacturers, this is an opportunity to showcase the diversity of the sector, the range of highly skilled jobs on offer and the amazing opportunities for reskilling and career development within manufacturing in the UK.

Read More

Plastic Packaging Tax

From 1 April 2022, you must register for Plastic Packaging Tax if you’ve manufactured or imported 10 or more tonnes of plastic packaging within the last 12 months, or if you plan to do so in the next 30 days.

Businesses are advised to check they are meeting their obligations.

Read More

Posted on

Dorset Business Cyber-Crime Survey

This short survey is to help us gain an understanding of the issue of cyber-crime on local businesses and to see where there are areas, we can try to improve awareness and provide support.

Computer hacking, malware and cyber-enabled frauds now cost the UK just under one billion pounds every 6 months. The speed, convenience and anonymity of the internet – paired with the staggering rate at which technology is advancing – means that the entry point for cyber-crime is lower than ever before, and would-be criminals are able to learn and develop their skills with resources readily available.

Click here to take part in our survey.

 

Posted on

Groundbreaking BCP business & work TV show to launch – and we’re proud to be a part of it!

It’s coming soon to a screen near you…

A new video magazine programme aimed at the BCP business community – and also those transitioning jobs or looking to regain employment – is launched next month.

Three 20-minute pilot episodes of Working Live! are to be broadcast on May 4th, 6th and 9th. They will be delivered through www.workinglive.co.uk and will also simulcast on LinkedIn(https://www.linkedin.com/company/limetools-limited/)  and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/workinglivebcp ). Catch-up viewing will be available from the following day on the website.

It is being delivered by Bournemouth-based Limetools Ltd, in association with BCP Council, using a dedicated studio in Southcote Road, Bournemouth. The company is headed by John Dale, a former award-winning programmer-maker with the BBC, ITV and Channel Four.

The ground-breaking project is funded by BCP Council’s ARG Stream 3 Bounce Back Challenge Fund Grant Scheme. The pilot project is being watched closely by other local authorities as an example of best practice, as well as the government. If successful, funding could become available for a year-round series of Working Live!

Several local businesses and cluster organisations are supporting the concept through an Editorial Advisory Group, contributing ideas and providing feedback.

All the presenters of Working Live! are passionate entrepreneurs who own and run their own successful businesses in the region. Each 20-minute episode will feature interviews, case studies, studio discussions and video packages.

Topics due to be covered include:

    • Employment and apprenticeships
    • Wellbeing
    • Happiness in the workplace
    • The power of collaboration
    • Managing cyber security
    • Net Zero on low budgets

Viewers will be able to share their views through live voting and opinion exchange using a wide range of video conferencing platforms as well as more traditional TV phone-in contributions. It’s hoped that, in time, Working Live! will become an authoritative source of information and material, providing a valuable insight into the BCP world of work.

The project also aims to widen the information flow to ease employment issues and support the local economic bounce back.

John Dale said, “When we moved our business to this area, we were surprised at the strength of the networks. ‘Word of mouth’ is increasingly important not just in sales, but in recruitment, R&D and product design. Working Live! explores how we can widen that viral conversation to include everyone interested in work in the BCP city region, across sectors and including those transitioning careers and talent just starting out.”

To access Working Live! visit www.workinglive.co.uk and register. It will also be simulcast on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/limetools-limited/) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/workinglivebcp )

The developer of Working Live! – Limetools Ltd – designs and builds behaviour change programmes in areas of high organisational risk. Visit www.limetools.biz

Recent clients for Limetools include BAE Systems, the Cabinet Office, European Commission, European Business Incubation Network, the MOD and Santander.

By Andrew Diprose, Editor @dorsetbusinessnews

Posted on

Ukrainian Aid Mission

In response to the crisis and rapidly changing situation in Ukraine, like many, Wai Man Cheung from W M C Wealth Management felt compelled to reach out further and offer physical time and services.

Mr Cheung arranged an aid mission to the Poland/Ukraine border, joining ranks with the organisation Van-Aid which is also working closely on logistics with the Polski Klub Southampton.

Here is a short video from Mr Cheung himself, sharing his story and journey:

To make a contribution via the crowdfunding page, please click here. 

Posted on

Busy and successful 12 months for chamber as Jacqui is re-elected president for second year

A busy and successful year.

The verdict of Jacqui Rock on her first year as President of Bournemouth Chamber of Trade & Commerce (BCTC).

Speaking at the chamber’s annual meeting, Jacqui reeled off some of the highlights of the last 12 months including:

  • Sourcing £50,000 in Additional Restrictions Grants (ARG3) allowing trading districts to start to be opened outside the BID area. BCTC worked with Kinson/Northbourne (BH10/11); Winton/Moordown (BH9), Boscombe East Pokesdown/Iford and Wallisdown. Not all are progressing as trading districts.
  • Sourcing an additional £4,600 per area under ARG4 for events in Kinson/Northbourne, Winton and Moordown, Pokesdown/Boscombe East/Iford as well as £2,000 per area for Castle Lane West/Charminster/Holdenhurst Rd and Wallisdown.
  • Plans to set up in-depth business training workshops for businesses in these areas.
  • As a result of the new trading districts, 41 new members joined BCTC.
  • Return of monthly networking BHBanter on the 1st Monday of each month at BCTC Patron Oceana Hotels.
  • Partnering with the new Bournemouth Business Awards, launched earlier this year with the finals in May.
  • Looking to forge closer collaboration with Christchurch Chamber of Trade & Commerce.

Jacqui was re-elected as President with Yvonne Devereux as Vice President.

Bill Perkins is Chair of Board/Honorary Treasurer while other Directors are Roger Smith (Past President), Matt Maclean and David King.

Taylorcocks are Honorary Accountants and Rawlins Davy, Honorary Solicitors.

Following the annual meeting, held at Bournemouth’s Cumberland Hotel, members enjoyed the President’s Dinner.

Article Written By Andrew Diprose, Editor

Posted on

Grant Alert – March 2022

South West Enterprise Fund

Opens on 21st March 2022  

Closes on 17th June 2022

Young people in Dorset age 18 – 30 can apply for a grant of up to £2000 for support with business start-up costs. Applicants should either be planning to launch a brand new business or within the first two years of running a new business. The grant can be used for equipment, materials, stock or services needed for the business – not for salary or living costs.

Applicants need a referee to support their application – this could be a previous or current teacher, employer or support worker.

Applications received by April 30 will receive a decision in mid-May.

Subsequent applications will receive a decision in early July.

For more details, please CLICK HERE
Lord Lieutenant’s Fund for Young & Talented

Extension of closing date to 27th March

This Fund re-launched last month after a dormant 2 year period, due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

The Fund supports young people age 16 – 25 who have a recognised talent in sport but are struggling to progress due to financial or social circumstances. Grants of up to £1,000 are available towards kit/clothing costs, competition fees, coaching, travel costs and accommodation (not an exhaustive list).

For more details, please CLICK HERE