Sussex Member Collective
Shaping the Skills Our Businesses Need for Tomorrow
We are proud to introduce the Sussex Member Collective, a dynamic new monthly members’ meeting series, created exclusively for Sussex Chamber members.
This is more than a meeting.
It is a movement.
A community.
A catalyst.
A collective.
Each month, businesses from across Sussex will come together to share insight, build meaningful relationships, and play an active role in shaping the future of our local economy, while connecting into a wider national and global business network through the British Chambers of Commerce.
This is your opportunity to be part of something bigger, a collaborative, forward‑thinking business community driving growth, innovation, skills, and long‑term success across the region.
This month, Ana Christie, CEO Sussex Chamber, will put the spotlight on one of the most important drivers of future business success: skills.
Through the work of Future Skills Sussex and the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP), employers across Sussex are helping shape a skills system that better reflects the needs of business, supports economic growth and builds a stronger workforce for the future.
Whether your organisation is facing recruitment challenges, investing in workforce development, exploring apprenticeships, or preparing for advances in technology and AI, this session will provide practical insight and opportunities to influence the conversation.
🌍 Why Skills Matter
Future Skills Sussex brings together employers, education providers, local authorities and strategic partners to help shape the future skills landscape across Sussex and Brighton. Through extensive employer engagement and labour market intelligence, the initiative identifies the workforce skills, technical capabilities and employment pathways needed to support productivity, innovation and opportunity across the region.
Graham Marley, Chief Executive, Let’s Do Business Group
We are delighted to welcome Graham Marley, Chief Executive of the Let’s Do Business Group (LDBG), to share his insights on the challenges and opportunities facing businesses across Sussex and the wider region.
Having recently celebrated 25 years with Let’s Do Business Group, Graham has played a leading role in supporting businesses through advice, marketing support, and access to finance. In 2003, he founded Let’s Do Business Finance, which has grown to become the region’s leading Community Development Finance Institution, helping businesses secure the funding they need to start, grow, and succeed.
During this session, Graham will provide an overview of Let’s Do Business Group and discuss the key challenges currently facing businesses, including access to finance and the impact of higher borrowing costs. He will also explore the strategic role that the new Combined Authority could play in supporting economic growth and business development across the region.
Attendees will gain valuable insights into the experiences of local businesses, learn about the funding and finance options available through Let’s Do Business Finance, and have the opportunity to put their questions to Graham during an interactive Q&A session.
This promises to be an informative and practical discussion for any business looking to understand the current economic landscape and the support available to help them thrive.
🌍 Connecting Sussex to the World
As part of the British Chambers of Commerce network, Sussex Chamber connects members to a wider national and international business community, opening the door to global opportunities, insights and partnerships.
The Sussex Member Collective brings that global perspective into a local, accessible, member‑focused setting, helping businesses in Sussex stay informed, competitive and connected.
🌍 What is the Sussex Member Collective?
This monthly event is designed to deliver:
✔ High‑value insights on the issues shaping business
✔ Stronger member connections across the whole county
✔ A united platform to share knowledge, influence decision‑making and support growth
✔ Opportunities for members to shape the Sussex economic landscape
✔ A flagship community event created exclusively for Chamber members
Each month follows a structured, business‑focused format including:
- Economic updates
- Member expertise segments (legal, digital, skills, sustainability)
- Welcomes for new members
- Charity spotlights
- Plenty of meaningful networking
With rotating locations across North, South, East and West Sussex, every member gets access to the Collective.
Supporting Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare 🐾
We're delighted to be joined by Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare at this month's Sussex Member Collective.
Meet Mikayla Bernstein, Corporate Partnerships Manager, from Raystede during the networking sessions to learn more about the charity's vital work and how your business can get involved through partnerships, fundraising, volunteering, sponsorship, or choosing Raystede as your Charity of the Year.
Visit the Raystede stand to discover how you can support one of Sussex's most valued animal welfare charities and make a positive difference in our local community.
🗓️ Event Format
(Monthly – Every 3rd Thursday)
8.30am – 11.00am
- 8.30am – 9.00am
Registration, refreshments and networking - 9.00am – 9.20am
Welcome Ana Christie CEO Sussex Chamber & Chamber Insights and news - 9.20am – 9.40am
Future Skills Sussex: Building the Workforce Sussex Needs - 9.40am - 9.50am
Comfort break and refreshments - 9.50am – 10.20am
Economic update and business outlook - 10.20am – 11.00am
Networking and Collaborative Conversation
🤝 Why Attend?
- Strengthen your business connections
- Gain insight you can act on immediately
- Stay ahead of economic and regulatory changes
- Engage directly with Chamber leadership
- Support a growing, county‑wide business movement
- Be part of a stronger, more resilient Sussex economy
Organisations Attending
We're delighted to be welcoming representatives from a diverse range of businesses and organisations across Sussex, including:
- Amberley Castle
- Artemis Marketing
- Baseline-RTS
- Carnegie Group Ltd
- CoirProducts.co.uk
- Crawley Borough Council
- Crawley Innovation Centre
- DuraSuite
- East Sussex College Group
- East Sussex County Council
- EOS Worldwide
- Factory Internet Ltd
- Freeman Clarke
- Holding Space
- Konsileo
- Little Gate Supported Employment
- Let's Do Business
- Love Local Jobs Foundation
- Marlow Ropes Ltd
- MCL
- Newman Business Solutions Ltd
- NIO Comm Ltd
- Phoenix Media Marketing
- Q3 Services Group Ltd
- Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare
- RLB Purchasing Consultancy Ltd
- R T Page & Sons Ltd
- Salike
- Soundcheck Audio Visual
- Strategic Management Partners Ltd
- Sussex Chamber of Commerce
- Switchplane
- The Fulfilment Specialists Ltd
- The Lansdowne Hotel, Eastbourne
- The Talent Lighthouse
- University of Brighton
- University of Sussex
- Wave Community Bank
Who You'll Meet
This event brings together business leaders, decision-makers, charities, educators, local authorities, professional service providers, and growth-focused organisations from across Sussex. It's a fantastic opportunity to build new relationships, share ideas, explore collaborations, and connect with a wide range of sectors all in one room.
Attendee list correct at the time of publishing and subject to change.
Thank you to our Venue Sponsors
