Three presidents come together to host lunch celebrating International Women’s Day 2023

Three female presidents are to host a special lunch event celebrating International Women’s Day.

Caron Khan, President of Dorset Chamber, will be joined by Jacqui Rock, Bournemouth Chamber President, and Suzanne Kadziola, President of Christchurch Chamber.

They will be welcoming guests to The Captain’s Club in Christchurch on Wednesday March 8.

The global theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is ‘DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality’.

The Dorset Chamber lunch will include a panel discussion and Q&A marking how digital technology has enabled and empowered women.

Caron said: “Dorset exemplifies how digital innovation and growth has shaped a region of female leaders and entrepreneurs who use digital to transform lives and the way we do business.

“The rapid growth of the digital sector in Dorset has provided opportunities for women to sit shoulder to shoulder with men.

“The rise of digital technology has created a never-imagined, flexible work-life balance, empowered them to acquire new skills and created ground-breaking opportunities for female-focused tech.

“Woman have used digital and tech to reinvent the way that business is done.

“So, is there still a glass ceiling in this sector? If so, how do we break it?

“During the event, the panel and guests will explore and debate what has enabled this growth.

“We’ll also consider what we, as change-makers in the Dorset business communities, can do support its future.

“This is about enabling the current workforce – and future generations – to explore the opportunities available and have the confidence to seize them.”

To book a place visit dorsetchamber.co.uk/event/international-womens-day-lunch/

The event is sponsored by Trethowans.

11/01/202311/01/2023

Careers Expo – Love Where You Work

📅 Wednesday 8 February 2023
⏰ 10am until 7pm
📍 Hilton Hotel, Bournemouth
✅ FREE for employers to exhibit
⌛ Deadline for registrations 30 January 2023

Bournemouth University is organising a unique opportunity for BCP based employers to introduce themselves to the wealth of talent, knowledge and skills that the region generates from it’s outstanding educational institutions.

The ‘Careers Expo – Love Where You Work’ will show a new generation of candidates why Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole represents an outstanding quality of life where people love to live, learn, work, explore, invest, relax and play.

Spaces to exhibit are open for local employers in the following sectors:

💡 Creative & Digital
🏗️ Construction
🔧 Engineering & Manufacturing
💷 Finance
🤝 Health & Social Care
🛍️ Retail, Hospitality and Leisure

Exhibitors at the Careers Expo will have the opportunity to:

Present an activity and/or share their job experience at the Careers Expo
Share success stories from their businesses to encourage potential candidates
Share some key areas of their business
Arrange on the spot interviews

There will also be a professional photographer on the day taking potential candidate photos which they can use in their professional profiles on LinkedIn and otherwise.

FIND OUT MORE

19/10/2022

Businesses in the South West urged to check out HMRC’s new business advice page

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is encouraging business owners, employers and the self-employed in the South West to check online to make sure they are not missing out on a range of tax reliefs and allowances.

HMRC’s new GOV.UK page summarises items that customers running their own business should explore and could help them keep more of what they earn. At just one click, businesses, employers and the self-employed can find out their eligibility for tax reliefs and financial allowances, as well as how to claim them.

These include:

Tax deductible business expenses

If you’re self-employed, you can deduct some of your running costs as part of your annual tax return, as long as they’re an allowable expense.
You may be able to claim tax deductible expenses for items including office stationery, insurance, bank charges and even heating and lighting for your office, home office or business premises.

Research and Development (R&D) tax credits

If your company is involved in innovative projects in science or technology you may be eligible to claim R&D reliefs, which can even be claimed on eligible unsuccessful projects.

Gift Aid

Companies (and unincorporated associations) can claim tax relief for qualifying donations paid to charities (bodies or trusts accepted as charities for UK tax purposes).

Business rates relief

Some properties are eligible for discounts from the local council on their business rates.

Corporation Tax relief

You can deduct the costs of running your business from your profits before tax when you prepare your company’s accounts. This could include things like buying machinery or tools that you use for your business.

Employment allowance

If your business employs people you may be able to claim Employment Allowance which allows eligible employers to reduce their annual National Insurance liability by up to £5,000.

Pre-Trading expenses

If you are in the process of setting up a new business, you may be able to claim back some of the expenses you incurred before you started trading through your first tax return.

Reclaiming VAT

If you are a VAT registered business you can reclaim VAT on qualifying goods and services you buy for use in your business.

Angela MacDonald, HMRC’s Deputy Chief Executive and Second Permanent Secretary, said:

“Now, more than ever, we need to ensure that everyone is benefitting from the full range of support available to them and claiming what they are legitimately entitled to.

“We want to make it as easy as possible for customers in the South West to identify the reliefs and allowances they’re entitled to and to claim them – it could make all the difference to a business at a time they need it the most.”

Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) National Chair Martin McTague said:

“We know that some smaller firms struggle to navigate the tax system and get the help they are eligible for. We welcome the new HMRC one-stop-shop which should help more small business owners and the self-employed access the various reliefs that they deserve.”

For customers who need to complete a Self Assessment return, HMRC’s business advice page provides simple links to support and guidance available: including an online tool to check if you need to complete a tax return; what documents you need to complete your Self Assessment; payment options as well as links to a range of support for people who are worried about paying their tax bill to access help.

Additional online tools and guidance are available to help customers check if they are eligible for each service – as well as extra support to guide them through the application process.

Business owners need to be aware of the risk of scams. Check HMRC’s advice about scams on GOV.UK.

09/09/2022

Queen Elizabeth II: National mourning guidance issued to businesses & sport

Full national mourning guidance has been issued to sports, businesses and shops following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

The guidance from the Cabinet Office was published Friday morning.

Whether or not something closes following the death of the monarch is being left to individual institutions, though the guidance does suggest the country could experience a shutdown on the day of the Queen’s funeral.

The Government is set to leave it up to organisations whether to suspend their business during the period of national mourning.

Sport

There is no requirement for sports fixtures to be postponed or cancelled. The guidance says: “As a mark of respect, organisations might wish to consider cancelling or postponing events or closing venues on the day of the State Funeral.

“As a mark of respect, and in keeping with the tone of National Mourning, organisers may wish to hold a period of silence and/or play the National Anthem at the start of events or sporting fixtures, and players may wish to wear black armbands.”

Businesses and public services

The guidance says: “There is no obligation on organisations to suspend business during the National Mourning period.
“Depending on the nature and location of their business and the tone of planned events, some businesses may wish to consider closing or postponing events, especially on the day of the State Funeral.

“But this is at the discretion of individual businesses.”

Public services will continue as usual, although there may be some changes to service availability.

Churches and community events

The guidance says: “Many community organisations, including places of worship, Local Authorities and charities, will arrange events commemorating the life and service of Her Majesty.

“This may include holding services of reflection (or similar), as well as opportunities for those with no religious beliefs to pay their respects. Local Authorities will support the coordination of local events so please check with them or your local place of worship for further details.”

Entertainment events

Guidance for major entertainment events is like that given to sport.

There is no obligation to cancel or postpone events during the period of National Mourning.

By Joshua Searle – Journalist

Daily Echo

08/09/202209/09/2022

RIP HM Queen Elizabeth II

Seldom in our history can there be anything comparable to the wave of sorrow that sweeps over the whole world on the news of the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.

It is with sorrow to hear of the loss of the head of our great Nation and Commonwealth and for the loss to the world of a good woman who used every influence to do what was right, good and true.

Buckingham Palace has published a section on its website, inviting mourners to pay their respects to the royal family and send messages of condolences via an online form.

Condolences to her family and may she Rest In Peace.

God save the King.

02/09/202202/09/2022

Set and achieve carbon pledges for free

The Economic Development team at BCP Council has allocated government grant funding for 250 businesses across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole to set and achieve their own carbon pledges for free for a year.

This initiative is currently being rolled out through a partnership with Climate Essentials, an online carbon management platform that makes climate action easy, engaging, and links to the SME Climate Hub #TogetherForOurPlanet campaign.

Climate Essentials helps understand, manage and reduce your carbon footprint.

What have others said about Climate Essentials?

A growing number of businesses have already signed up to this exclusive opportunity since the funding was announced earlier this year. Here’s what they told us:

IEC Ltd is a family owned Poole based engineering specialist in the supply of mechanical components. Anna K, Lead QHSE Engineer, said: “I found Climate Essentials to be very effective in understanding of CO2 emissions and control to achieve NET Zero for a company as soon as possible. I believe use platform will be helpful to promote sustainable behaviour within a company and would save time in reporting of emissions”

NFF Precision Limited, based at Bournemouth Airport, provides a manufacturing service to the aerospace and defence industries. Chris Sheppard, Operations Manager, said: “I am well underway with the platform, having generated the figures. We’re now looking internally into what we can do to specific areas to help with reduction. Overall, the platform is easy enough to use and provides some nicely presented data.”

Climate Essentials is available at no cost for one year to all SMEs with up to 250 employees based within the BCP Council geographical area. Larger employers are invited to contact us to discuss other options available.

To join the journey to being a carbon neutral business or to request more information email ClimateEssentials@bcpcouncil.gov.uk.

Contact us

01/09/2022

Who are we and what do we do?

First and foremost, we are a group of VOLUNTEERS who give up our time to help local businesses within the Bournemouth area.

BCTC is a Limited Company registered at Companies House and we do not make a profit. We also do not run in the same way as a typical limited company because we are here to serve our members.

We have a Board of Directors and each Director is registered as such at Companies House and each of us are bound to act in accordance with the responsibilities of a Company Director and in accordance with the Companies Act.

We meet each month for a Board Meeting which has a formal agenda and minutes are kept of each meeting, with decisions made.

We discuss our membership, what we can offer to businesses, events that we organise, networking opportunities and general business support.

Each Director takes responsibility for certain activities e.g. social media, events, website, newsletter, promotions, finance, marketing etc.

We also have a selected group of businesses who represent us as Patrons, giving them additional access and business opportunities to promote their businesses in partnership with the Chamber.

Our current Patrons are:

AFC Business
Bournemouth University
Castlepoint
Cracking Media
JPMorgan
Oceana Group
Rawlins Davy
TaylorCocks
Yellow Buses
WSmith & Sons

Our Chamber has a structure…

We have a President and Vice President and can offer Directorships to a further 10 Directors making us a maximum team of 12 people. We are all here to support local businesses within the Bournemouth area.

Additionally, we run a bi-monthly Local Government Affairs meeting, giving our Members access to key stakeholders within the conurbation (BCP Council Leader, Councillors, Dorset Police etc) to air their views.

We hold an Annual General Meeting in March each year to appoint the Directorship onto the Board and report back to our Members on how we have performed over the year.

Our AGM is followed by a President’s dinner and during the year we hold a number of other events alongside our monthly networking, including Baron of Beef in September and a celebration at Christmas.

Would you like to be part of our team?

Our Directors start life in the Chamber as Ambassadors. They serve approximately a minimum of three months as an Ambassador, giving them a taste of what to expect, before having the opportunity of being voted on to the Board as a Director. Each Ambassador/Director is nominated or chosen for their skills and experience that they are able to bring to the Chamber.

We have four positions currently available and we are looking for skills in the following areas:

Marketing
Event Management

It is a rewarding experience and so if you would like to know more about becoming an Ambassador, please get in touch with us at secretary@bournemouthchamber.org.uk.

23/08/202223/08/2022

Southern Co-op – Safer Neighbourhoods Fund 2022-23

We’re getting in touch to let you know about Southern Co-op’s Safer Neighbourhoods fund. Eligible organisations can apply for up to £8k in funding to support community programmes working to reduce crime by supporting offenders and/or those at risk of offending.

First launched in 2020, the Safer Neighbourhood Fund supported 1,372 people in partnership across 14 organisations from 2020-21. The programme enabled people to increase employability skills, overcome personal barriers and improve their emotional resilience.

We welcome interest from organisations that are:

Seeking funding for work which is being delivered in Portsmouth, Southampton, South London, Bournemouth or Bristol
Charities, community groups, schools and good causes
Directly supporting local people affected by the key drivers of crime.

Further information on the funding criteria can be found here.

> Express interest

The expression of interest closes on Friday 26th August.

Thank you
Neighbourly I Southern Co-op Team

17/07/202226/07/2022

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.

29/06/202226/07/2022