North West Enterprise Awards 2017

SME NEWS / North-West Enterprise Awards 2017 7 , The North &Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce is Lancashire’s largest non-political business support organisation. We profiled the institution and spoke toMarkWhittle as we look to explore the secrets behind its success. Best Business Support Institution - Lancashire Established in 1916, the Chamber is renowned for their work in representation and supporting and promoting the local business community. Marking itself out as the best possible option for customers within industry, Mark highlights the enviable service record and number of members affiliated to the organisation. “The Chamber possesses an enviable service record and a membership topping 1,600 companies, for which the we constantly seek to improve the package of support offered to members. Our customer retention rate exceeds 90%, a key indicator of the Chamber’s success.” Within the awards market, the business support landscape is a crowded one, but the Chamber, steadfast in its business first approach, has evolved and adapted to ensure that it meets the demands of its modern-day customers. Chamber members own, finance, and strategically manage the organisation. Everything the organisation does is with the member in mind. Additionally, the Chamber benefits from its location, as Lancashire’s business tapestry is rich and diverse; the county is synonymous with worldwide manufacturing and that can do approach to business. The service sector now plays an equally strong part in the county business make-up making this one of the best, most corporately diverse locations, in which to locate or do business. Mark signs off by discussing the state of the industry in Lancashire, before going to acknowledge how much of an honour it is to win this award, and the good feeling its gives the Chamber and employees; seeing its members’ work recognised. “The North West, particularly Lancashire, is poised to make the next decade one of the most important for business in recent years. We must pull together, work closely, support each other and show the wider region that not only can we hold our own, but that we are pushing boundaries, adapting daily and we will continue to make this county the county of choice for business investment and growth. NWE17001 Contact: markw@lancschamber.co.uk Contact Email: Mark Whittle Address: 9-10 Eastway Business Village, Oliver’s Place, Prestion, PR2 9WT, UK Phone: 01772 653000 Option 1 Website: www.lancschamber.co.uk “Ultimately, as an organisation responsible for managing a headline business-awards competition, The BIBAs, the Chamber believes it is an honour to be on the receiving end of an accolade. This award has further emphasised that taking a moment to recognise that you are a good business is something that should be considered important by all businesses -not indulgent.”