Member News

Sussex-based technology provider Factory Internet has announced the launch of SOC Lite, a new managed cyber security service designed specifically to help small and medium-sized businesses strengthen their cyber resilience without the cost and complexity of a traditional Security Operations Centre (SOC).

Wealden councillors have written to government ministers seeking assurance that the scale and urgency of the water supply challenges facing communities in Wealden are fully understood and being addressed.

The proportion of firms planning to increase investment has fallen to its lowest level since the pandemic, according to the latest British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Quarterly Economic Survey. The UK’s largest independent business sentiment survey also shows confidence weakened in Q2, with fewer firms increasing sales and inflation re-emerging as the leading concern.

Crawley Borough Council has launched a six-week public consultation on Crawley 2040: A new Economic Vision and Growth Plan, setting out a long-term ambition for the borough’s future growth.

Reacting to the release of the Defence Investment Plan, Kate Shoesmith, Director of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: 

Reacting to today’s EU announcement on new steel quotas for UK exporters, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: 

Responding to today’s speech by Labour leadership candidate Andy Burnham, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce said:

A new Administration must back business if it wants the UK to prosper, Director General of the BCC, Shevaun Haviland, is set to warn. 

As Brexit approaches its 10th anniversary, the British Chambers of Commerce says the government must set out a clear plan to ease the burdens it has placed on business.

Higher Education institutions should rethink their role in society and become essential contributors to the places they serve.

Young people in Hastings will play a central role in shaping more inclusive local pathways into education, employment and training thanks to a new programme led by CXK and supported by The National Lottery Community Fund.

The University of Chichester has secured top marks for the quality of its teaching and lecturers.

Responding to the Bank of England interest rate decision, David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: 

Reacting to the latest labour market data from the ONS, Patrick Milnes, Head of Policy for People and Work at the British Chambers of Commerce, said:  

Microsoft 365 Copilot for business helps organisations across the South East turn AI into practical productivity gains by embedding support into the tools teams already use. Rather than treating it as a novelty, successful businesses approach it with clear use cases, structured adoption, and the right guardrails....And the value is tangible.

For many Sussex business owners, the company is the pension. Years of reinvesting profit and building real value point towards a single moment: the day you step back and the business funds the rest of your life. Too often this is treated as a transaction to arrange when the time comes, rather than a plan built over several years.

The British Chambers of Commerce is calling on the government to change course on new steel quotas and tariffs which could decimate swathes of SMEs.

The President of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is calling on policymakers to introduce a ‘growth delivery test’ to help businesses turn ambition into action.

Commenting on the latest trade data released by the Office for National Statistics, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said:  

Responding to the latest GDP data published by the Office for National Statistics, Stuart Morrison, Research Manager at the British Chambers of Commerce, said:

Across the UK, thousands of hectares of land are undergoing some form of recovery, restoration or regeneration. Former quarries are being transformed into ecological habitats, brownfield sites are being prepared for redevelopment, landfill sites are entering long-term restoration programmes, and previously industrial landscapes are being reintroduced into the natural environment.

Reacting to the announcement of new US tariffs under section 301 of the Trade Act 1974, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said:

The latest British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Economic Forecast suggests growth will remain subdued in 2026 and 2027, as the reverberations of the Middle East conflict continue to be felt. The BCC is predicting weak business investment, higher inflation and falling exports.

Responding to publication of the Milburn Review interim report, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce said:

A family-run Brighton building firm has launched a new division focused on building compliance, safety and performance improvement – as demand from landlords, housing associations and local authorities to bring existing buildings up to standard continues to grow.

Four fifths of firms (80%) report an existing or expected impact from the Iran conflict, according to research by British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).

Responding to measures announced by the Chancellor this lunchtime, Kate Shoesmith, Director of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said:

Pilbeam Construction, working closely with University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust has completed a project to modernise and enhance the existing public toilets for visitors and patients at The Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath.

Responding to the news that a free trade agreement has been made with the six Arab states which comprise the Gulf Cooperation Council, William Bain, Head of Trade Policyat the British Chambers of Commerce, said:

Reacting to the government announcement on a series of pilot schemes on fit note reform, Hannah Larsen, Policy Officer at the BCC said: 

The Directors’ Hub is a peer to peer support club built for directors, founders, CEOs, partners, and senior decision makers across Sussex.

Direct public sector procurement spend with SMEs hit a six year high of 21% last year, according to the latest report by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) and public procurement intelligence provider Tussell.

Willmott Dixon Interiors have been commissioned by Horsham District Council to refurbish Capitol Theatre. As part of the social value element of the contact Willmott Dixon Interiors are partnering with The Lighthouse Charity to deliver a virtual Mental Health briefing covering the key signs to look our for and useful services that are available.

Responding to the latest inflation data, published this morning by the Office for National Statistics, Caterina Batog, Research & Economics Analyst, at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: 

Creative Process Digital’s AI for Business Bootcamp is a FREE 8-week, in-person training programme in Brighton, designed to help businesses upskill existing employees with practical, real-world AI knowledge and digital confidence.

Reacting to the latest labour market data from the ONS, Patrick Milnes, Head of Policy for People and Work at the British Chambers of Commerce, said:

Decisive action is needed to tackle the ‘hidden threat’ of crime against businesses damaging growth, according to a new report from the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).