This is the first of what will be a regular series of policy updates from the Essex Chambers of Commerce. The main purpose of this first update is to announce my presence as the new(ish) Head of Policy at Essex Chambers of Commerce and to invite any members to get in touch with me with any issues, ideas or concerns that fall broadly into my policy remit. You can email me at iainmcnab@essexchambers.co.uk or call on 07929 522951.

My aim to is to ensure that in the policy arena the Chambers is offering the best possible service to members, by which I mean:

• understanding and representing your views on all issues which affect you and your business (where you wish to share them; there is no compulsion to get involved in this). This would include ‘national’ issues such as tax, VAT, business rates, legislation generally on which we work closely with the British Chambers of Commerce at national level;
• supporting you where you may need assistance in understanding or implementing national policy objectives e.g. Net Zero / green issues
• advising and supporting on more local issues e.g. where you might have difficulty dealing with local authorities or on issues specific to the sector you are operating, be it logistics, construction, food and drink, services and so on
• keeping you informed and understanding your views on the economic and governance context in which you operate in Essex - for example the ambition to pass some powers from national to local level through the devolution agenda

This list is not exhaustive. If you want to know more or discuss any of these things then please get in touch. I also am very open to ideas and suggestions about what more the Chambers could do to support you. I have visited about 20 member companies since taking up post and am keen to visit more – so please do let me know if you would welcome a short visit.

Some ideas that have already been suggested include:

• more targeted networking, perhaps on a sector or locality basis
• some specific events or other ways of address new policy developments such as the new Procurement Act which comes into force in late 2024 and should open up access to public sector contracts for SMEs
• a regular online policy update for interested members

All these are under consideration and as I say any other ideas are welcome.  We cannot promise to meet everyone’s needs but can commit to considering all ideas which come forward and doing what we can within resource or capacity constraints. 

Thank you for reading and all the best!

IAIN MCNAB
Head of Policy