Prosper Magazine Out Now

13 Oct 2022

Published in: Black Country Chamber of Commerce News

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Prosper Magazine Out Now

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Welcome To Prosper Magazine

It’s Autumn, a time which marks the transition from summer to winter but this year, as the nights draw in and the temperatures drop, the season is tinged with a deepening uncertainty for many.

A cost-of-living crisis, and a return to levels of inflation not seen for forty years, coupled with severe labour market disruptions, means that an extremely tough and uncertain economic environment has very much returned to the forefront of the public conscience.

In recent weeks, the support announced on energy bills, coupled with the fiscal statement, which included the reversal of National Insurance and corporation tax rises as well as the Annual Investment Allowance remaining at £1 million, may come as a little light relief for businesses but there is no doubt that we are still facing an incredibly tough autumn and winter ahead.

Companies face a challenging end to 2022 with rising costs affecting both their operations and the lives of employees.

Over and above the standard day-to-day issues, there are numerous challenges confronting business leaders.

With inflation rising, energy costs spiralling and following the recent change in Prime Minister, Prosper speaks to the business partners from the Chamber’s current campaign, ‘This is the Black Country,’ and asks what’s in their inboxes and what are their priorities as we move through the Autumn period.

Focusing on three main themes, People, Place and Power, the campaign hits the road with a second Black Country Economic Conference in November which provides a platform for a host of well-known key-note speakers including mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, Birmingham Airport CEO, Nick Barton, Carmen Watson, chair of the Pertemps Group and Dr Julie Nugent, director of productivity and skills from the West Midlands Combined Authority.

Plus, as Prosper marks is third anniversary since relaunch in the autumn of 2019, we take a closer look at how maximising membership of the Black Country Chamber, an organisation with a national reputation and extensive reach, can help your business.

We speak to the chairman & CEO of car maker Bentley Motors, Adrian Hallmark and ask him how the company has continued to break all records in a market for top-end luxury brands despite the current climate and we’ve legal debate on the rise of workplace bullying and advice for firms as more workers demand action to tackle the cost-of-living crisis.

We talk retirement plans with local businessman Kevin Rogers, CEO of Wolverhampton based Paycare, and explore the number of businesses in the region run by female entrepreneurs.

There’s a round of up of all the events and training offers from the Chamber and we take a whistle stop tour around the region’s businesses bringing you their news, views, opinion and debate.

Enjoy this edition of Prosper and don’t forget to look out for the Chamber’s annual business award winners in our next edition…….…

Read the Autumn edition here:

https://www.blackcountrychamber.co.uk/news/prosper-magazine/