The South Wales Chamber of Commerce has moved into the top 20 of Chambers of Commerce across the UK, based on membership numbers.
Figures recently released by the British Chambers of Commerce have confirmed that the South Wales Chamber has moved to 19th out of the 52 Accredited Chambers across the UK based on its membership at 31st December 2013.
In 2009, when the South Wales Chamber of Commerce was formed from the merger of Newport Chamber of Commerce and West Wales Chamber of Commerce, it was positioned in the bottom 10. In four years, membership numbers have grown by 64% and progress is on plan to get into the top five by 2018.
2016 marks the 170th Anniversary of the first Chamber of Commerce being established in Wales. The Swansea Chamber of Commerce was set up in 1846 to support the rapid growth in the metals industry and the associated growth in export activities from the West Wales port facilities.
The South Wales Chamber of Commerce is one of the few Chambers that has recorded year on year growth in membership numbers since 2009, at a time when many Chambers across the UK have seen their numbers fall as a result of recessionary pressures.
Graham Morgan, Director of the South Wales Chamber of Commerce, commented: “This is very encouraging news and it is always good to benchmark yourself against other similar operations. We have worked very hard at listening to what business owners are looking for in a membership organisation and adapted our model to do our best to meet changing demands. The benefit we have is that we are a not-for-profit operation and we can make decisions on what we do here in Wales. We choose to belong to the British Chambers of Commerce for the standards they apply and the connectivity on offer to other parts of the globe.
“We have an inclusive model where the interests of members are voiced through the four Territory Councils we operate in Newport, Cardiff, Swansea and Mid Wales, with each composed of twelve elected business representatives who act as our eyes and ears. Much of the progress we have made is down to the commitment and support we have received from the very many business representatives that give their time and experience to put us in the best position to help and assist others.
“There has been a determined strategy to ensure any business decision-maker can interact with a ‘real person’ in our Business Development Officers who are based in our offices in Newport, Cardiff, Swansea, Pembroke Dock and Newtown. There is no other business membership organisation in Wales at this time that has invested in making sure we are in a pivotal position within key business hubs across the country. We work closely with our colleagues at the West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce who cover the A55 corridor.
“With the 2009 merger we had the opportunity to take the Chamber of Commerce in Wales back to the metal so to speak and rebuild it to meet the needs of business owners here and now – very much a rare occurrence and a chance we have fully grasped.
“One of the surprises that has come out of the journey over the last four years has been the expertise and capability we have in helping Welsh businesses explore opportunities in overseas markets and help them with associated documentation. Our specialist international team has massive experience and expertise – over 80 years combined – and the feedback we get from our members on the support they provide is outstanding. Helping businesses across Wales to increase their international footprint has been at the heart of our success.
“We do need to remain flexible and we will continue to tweak everything we do when the groundswell of opinion from our members indicates their needs have changed. The ability we have to respond rapidly is very much a strength.
“In 2010 we expanded into Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire and in 2013 we set up the Mid Wales Chamber of Commerce to offer support to business owners in Powys and Ceredigion. Our short-term goal is to extend our support to more businesses through our local Business Development Officers and ensure we are exceeding the expectations of our existing members. In this respect we have just completed the first phase of a new, dynamic CRM system that will help in pursuit of that goal.
“This is a great time to be part of the Chamber of Commerce in Wales – The Ultimate Business Network – and with the support of business owners we would like to move into the top 10 at the end of this year with a net growth of around 200 members.
“Collaboration and not competition is at the heart of what we look to do in different parts of Wales and we have many agreements in place to work together with different organisations for the real benefit of the businesses of Wales and their employees.
“For information on what the Chamber of Commerce can do for your business please contact the team on 029 2048 1532. Or e-mail [email protected] and we will be in touch.”
