A WORD FROM THE CEO
The rollercoaster ride continues
I
n other circumstances, everything that’s happened over the past month would have been considered highly out of the ordinary - but in Westminster, the abnormal has become somehow normal. The granting of another Brexit extension. A convoluted, but ultimately successful, process to change the law to enable a General Election, and now, a campaign that will lay bare the many divisions that face the United Kingdom. Our mission, as a network of Chambers, is to come together and once again make the case for our business communities, and everything we do to put people and places alongside profit. It won’t be easy: where evidence and rational thinking once dominated, we now face emotion and ideology. So, we must make the case against a messy, disorderly Brexit; against misguided calls for nationalisation and confiscation that would make us all poorer; and for the investment in people and infrastructure the UK needs to succeed.
Out and about
I am very privileged in my role at Surrey Chambers to be invited to many interesting celebrations. Professor Simon de Lusignan, a Guildford GP, who conducts extensive research and whose surveillance of infectious diseases helps protect people across the country has received this year’s prestigious Guildford Roll of Honour award. A celebration dinner was held at the Guildhall, where
Maarten Hoffmann – Director
Lesley Alcock
Professor de Luisignan was added to the Roll. He has published more than 400 peer-reviewed papers and articles exploring how routine data can measure quality and health outcomes, how technology can be incorporated into general practice and how new roles in health care can be enabled by technology. What a great example of health benefitting from digital advancement. Still on the digital agenda, I attended the launch of the Guildford College Innovation Room. Now part of Activate Learning, Guildford College has added this facility to prepare all its students for the world of work. We heard from current and past students as well as tutors and industry experts. The evening was led by Sally Dicketts OBE and CEO of Activate Learning and the Local Enterprise Partnership (EM3) was thanked for supporting this fantastic investment.
Surrey Business Awards
We had a lovely evening at the Surrey Business Awards which took place on Thursday November 21st. Many of the finalists were Surrey Chambers members, which isn’t surprising, as we work with so many interesting and inspiring companies. A huge congratulations to the winners, what a wonderful night with well deserved finalists. Surrey Chambers of Commerce can be reached on 01483 735540, info@surrey-chambers.co.uk, @surreychambers
Nicole Kemble
maarten@platinumpublishing.co.uk
Commercial Director
Commercial Manager
Ian Trevett – Director
Kate Morton
Hanna Nicholson
ian@platinumpublishing.co.uk
Features Editor
Travel Editor
Louise Punter
CEO Surrey Chamber of Commerce
Fiona Graves
Lydia Bunyard
Alan Wares
Danielle Mason
Events Director
Head of Design
Events Executive
Sales Executive
Hannah Joslyn Chamber Editor
Steve Elford
Head of Web Development
Platinum staff images courtesy of David Green, Shoot Me Now Photography • shootmenow.co.uk
SURREY BUSINESS
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