Dorset Chamber CEO Ian Girling talks about the need for celebrating success, and looks ahead to navigating uncertainty and fostering growth
I’d like to begin by saying a huge thank you to everyone that is participating in the 2024 Dorset Business Festival. With several events across Dorset, our aim is to unite Dorset businesses and celebrate the importance of business as a force for good – we kicked off festival fortnight with an insightful networking breakfast on Sandbanks, and this week have had a brilliant two day Business Expo. Now we look forward to next week’s Business as a Force for Good Conference (still some tickets available).
I’d also like to offer our congratulations to all the finalists in the Dorset Business Awards, and I look forward to seeing them all at the sold out Gala Dinner on the 10th October.
Business makes a hugely positive impact to society on so many levels and we should always remember and celebrate this.
Change may be coming
30th October will see the delivery of the Autumn Budget by Chancellor Rachel Reeves – we will of course be gauging the reaction of Dorset business to the budget. A couple of weeks ago, we ran a LinkedIn poll to see how business people were feeling about the impending budget, given the very gloomy messages coming from Government in the run up to it.
Unsurprisingly, of the people that responded to the poll, 48 per cent said they were very concerned about the forthcoming budget, 42 per cent are somewhat concerned and only 10 per cent not concerned at all. It will be interesting to compare this to the days after the budget is delivered.
Businesses have been through an incredibly challenging few years with Covid, Ukraine and the cost of living crisis with its high inflation and a significant increase in interest rates. Businesses need a period of stability, and an economic environment that supports business, encouraging growth, employment and investment. We will continue to push on this locally as well as at a national level through the British Chambers of Commerce.
We’d welcome the views of Dorset business around the economic plans from the new Labour Government, as well as the new employment legislation which is significant for all businesses employing people.
If there is anything we can help you with, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
