I WOULD like to welcome the local business community back to work, wishing you all a joyful and prosperous 2019!

The Chamber team is looking forward to hitting the ground running, beginning with our biggest Policy campaign of the year.

Last year, Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce was proud to lobby on behalf of our Members for key business concerns, including road infrastructure issues and the national skills shortage.

To support businesses across the two counties through another year of challenges and opportunities, I am pleased to announce that our 2019 Business Manifesto will launch on Friday, January 25.

The Business Manifesto is a collection of Herefordshire and Worcestershire’s key business priorities for local and national government, which have been produced based on our interactions with more than 4,000 businesses regionally. Areas covered in the 2019 Business Manifesto will include, but are not limited to; Skills, Connectivity, Transport Infrastructure and International Trade.

The event will welcome a number of speakers to help attendees understand the national perspective, including key speaker Hannah Essex, Co-Executive Director of Policy and Campaigns at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). Guests will gain first-hand experience from a leading local business, and receive political input from a local MP.

Last year the Policy department was joined by more than 120 businesses at the launch event, and I would like guests to book on early to avoid disappointment.

Taking place at Worcestershire County Cricket Club from 7.30am-9.30am, spaces at the event are now limited, so to confirm your place, contact policy@hwchamber.co.uk.