New Women in Business & Skills Initiatives launched to stimulate Business Growth in Newham

Newham Chamber of Commerce today announces the launch of two new networking initiatives for Chamber Members: the NCC Skills Work Group and the NCC Women in Business Work Group.

Designed to inform wider Chamber policy and strategy and to stimulate growth both for the Chamber itself and the wider local economy, these new groups will endeavour to address some of the key issues holding-back enterprises of all sizes and sectors in the Borough

With female-owned enterprises making up less than a third of businesses in Newham and with hundreds of vacancies remaining unfilled because of lack of available skills or with businesses not understanding cost-effective routes to workforce training and development, Newham Chamber of Commerce are determined to bring initiatives together to help Members start-up, survive and grow.

“As Chair of the new NCC Women in Business network I’m determined to ensure female owned businesses and female business leaders get their fair share of representation, support and business opportunity here in Newham and across East London”, says Daljinder (Dee) Kaur Hopal Chamber Executive Council Member and Associate Director of Employer Partnerships at University of East London.

“Working alongside my Vice Chair, Leah Clarke of Barney Bear’s Nurseries and a core team of like-minded business leaders, we want to establish and grow this network to make sure the Chamber is a wholly inclusive, mixed gender advisory group championing female founders, promoting equality in access to  finance and business support and encourage other to understand solutions to overcome hurdle and challenge to this vital part of the business community!”

Steve Lee, Business Development Director at Newham College London and inaugural Chair of the NCC Skills Working Group is equally enthusiastic about this initiative.

“The Newham Chamber of Commerce Skills working group will ultimately create partnerships between our member businesses, educational institutions, and policymakers” says Steve.

“By equipping our members and their workforces with the tools needed to succeed in an ever-changing dynamic economy, the NCC Skills Group will enhance business competitiveness, drive innovation, and contribute to the economic growth and social wellbeing of the Newham area”. 

Matt Fawcett, Chair of Newham Chamber is behind this all the way and determined to keep Newham at the forefront of enterprise in East London.

“The team have worked incredibly hard over the past few months to finally bring these Work Groups together and today’s announcement is a genuine milestone in the history of Newham Chamber of Commerce”.

Fawcett is determined that Newham Chamber remains East London’s largest and fastest growing business membership organisation in this unique London enclave.

“Through active communications and community engagement at all levels, through knowledge sharing, and through capacity building, both the Skills Group and the Women in Business Groups provide our members with yet more business growth resources, connections, and influence to shape an inclusive, ambitious, skilled and adaptable business community in this incredible piece of East London !”

“Growth in our Chamber will demonstrate growth in our own and wider London business communities and, as a volunteer group of hardworking local businesspeople, we have a vested interest to address these key issues head-on.”

“Along with all my fellow Executive Council colleagues, I whole heartedly endorse all the hard work Dee, Leah and Steve have put in to-date and we are all committed to address these challenges moving forward”.

“And it goes without saying, we look forward to other like-minded businesspeople joining-us in making Newham THE go-to-place to do business in London!”