Business community set to 'flourish '- Chamber president

By Shaun Gray, Managing Director, Ginho Europe

As I start my second term as President of Burton and District Chamber of Commerce, 2022 continues to be a year of many challenges, with highest inflation for 30 years placing a huge squeeze on the cost of living.

However, I 'm sure the government 's announcement of a package of measures to ease the burden of rising prices, and a one-off windfall tax on oil and gas companies ' profits to help pay for it, are welcomed by many people who are struggling with the cost of living.

It was good to also hear in Rushi Sunak 's announcement that building a stronger economy as part of leveling up growth remains a major priority for the government. The cost-of-living statement made it clear that creating jobs, driving businesses to invest and innovate, unleashing a skills revolution and seizing the benefits of Brexit are all part of the plan. We are indeed very aligned to all of these deliverables as a Chamber and there are many seedlings developing across our region that are going to help the business community flourish and be sustainability in the longer term.

A great example of creating jobs is the decision by Gousto, the hugely successful leading food recipe box retailer, that has announced a new £40m facility will be coming to Burton upon Trent, bringing hundreds of jobs to the local area. It 's very exciting to have such an innovative business choose our town especially as it is highly regarded for disrupting the marketplace through a data driven strategy, a business strategy that many of our local growing ambitious businesses are aspiring to achieve. It is great that they have chosen Burton and we can 't wait to have them as part of our community.

There has been much noise over the last year relating to the Town Centre Deal but it is fantastic that the Deal has now been submitted and jointly raised in Parliament by Kate Griffiths MP and Neil O 'Brien, Minister for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. Both gave the Deal high praise for the proactive approach of East Staffordshire Borough Council and our Town Centre Deal Board have taken to bring a bold vision of redevelopment of the town to support communities, education, and business to thrive within Burton not just survive. This is a huge achievement by everyone involved and is very exciting for all who work, live and visit Burton.

Also at the heart of our community is our forward thinking Burton and South Derbyshire College who we continue to work with on its Local Skills Improvement Plan which is aligned to the government 's plan to unleash a skills revolution. Ultimately, this plan will provide students with the qualifications and skills required locally by businesses to support the continued growth of Burton and our district in providing skilled jobs, local employment, and a future for generations to come.

As we work through the remainder of 2022 and into 2023, as a Burton and District Chamber we are aligned to delivering a strategy that supports growth, skills and training, sustainability and long-term prosperity for the business community.

At our recent AGM we were delighted to welcome new Council Board members: Richard Faulkner (Alexander Accountancy); Michelle Spaul (Delta Swan) and Russell Jeans (Sefton & Associates) who bring a wide range of skills, knowledge, and experience from a broad spectrum of the industries. We look forward to their input and support for Burton and our businesses.

It was also announced at our AGM that we will be launching our own charity of the year and welcome all local charities to get in touch with me by email if they would like to put their charity forward.

As a business community we should be very proud of what continues to be achieved in really difficult circumstances and there are many positive opportunities to embrace for the future. I am really looking forward to my next year as Burton & District Chamber of Commerce President with great enthusiasm. I fully expect Burton and the business community can go into full growth mode which will benefit the communities that we operate and live in.

Pictured: Shaun Gray - President of Burton & District Chamber of Commerce and Managing Director of Ginho Group Europe