A C E SOne Voice

The Alliance of Chambers in East Sussex

Christina EwbankFacilitator

14th January 2014

2

Doing Business in East Sussex

• Working alone

• Minimal support

• Risky in weak economy

Individual SMEs

Individual SMEs

• To network• To sell• Share ideas

and best practice

• Gain support

Join the local Chamber

Join the local Chamber

• Access to larger networks

• More support• A louder voice• Strength in

numbers• Work as a group

with the LEP

Chambers link together

Chambers link together

East Sussex becomes THE

place to do

business

East Sussex becomes THE

place to do

business

Locate East Sussex / ESCC Perception Study April 2012

310 businesses outside East Sussex interviewed

•Only 17% described East Sussex as a good business location•When respondents were familiar with East Sussex, the view was far more positive•London businesses were the least positive about the county as a business destination

Locate East Sussex / ESCC Perception Study April 2012

42 commercial property advisers interviewed

•Over half located in the county•Only 19% of external advisers would recommend the county •Brighton outscored all other East Sussex towns •General lack of awareness about available business

The Alliance of Chambers in East Sussex (ACES)

BexhillCrowborough EastbourneFSBHailshamHastingsHeathfieldIoDLewes NewhavenPeacehaven Seaford Uckfield

In partnership with:Amber Rudd MPCharles Hendry MPGreg Barker MPStephen Lloyd MPSpencer Dale Chief Economist Bank of EnglandMatthew Hancock Minister for State Business & SkillsRob Goodwill Minister - Road TransportDerek Godfrey Vice Chair SELEP Nigel Hannam & Roy Galley

Wealden District CouncilBecky Shaw Chief Executive ESCC & Rupert Clubb ESCC Director Economic Development

ACES

“The whole is greater than the sum of its parts”

Aristotle

ACES Agreed GoalsOne voice

For business in East Sussex to influence policy makersFor structured, strategic approaches to all local authorities to achieve stated goals

InfrastructureImprove the road and rail infrastructure in East SussexA21, A27, Ashford/Hastings Link, Lewes/Uckfield/Tonbridge Link

ConnectivityProvide fast speed Broadband to rural and urban East Sussex, as a matter of urgencyClose East Sussex mobile ‘not’ spots

MarketingPromote East Sussex as the place to do business outside LondonDevelop the coastal, urban and rural tourism offer across the county

SkillsDevelop links between business, schools and colleges to ensure all students develop the skills needed for our businessesInfluence local authorities to provide skills training as required in rural areas as well as urban

And…

• To give our members access to more businesses across East Sussex

• If you’re in your local Chamber you’re in ACES and

….there’s NO CHARGE!!!

Tasks for ACES – Develop ACES identity, communications and website– Business conference and exhibition (ESCC / SME Conference)– Member networking opportunities– Support services for smaller chambers

– E.g. free telephone answering service– Communication and working with

– Member Chambers– The FSB– The IoD– Local authorities– Parliament– The SELEP– Press and media– Locate East Sussex– Lets’ Do Business Group– Town Centre Management Teams

Events• Spencer Dale Chief Economist of the

Bank of England - September 2013• Joint members pilot - November 2013

attracted 185 business people– Chandlers BMW Hailsham – Uckfield, Hailsham and Eastbourne Chambers

• Joint members evening on 25th March 2014– Cooden Beach Hotel Bexhill– All ACES Chamber Members

ACES Culture

“If you light a lamp for someone else it will also brighten your path”

Buddha