BCC

The British Chambers of Commerce represents & campaigns for business, championing & supporting our members all across the UK & around the world.

[BCC @britishchambers]

How do we deliver growth? 💡📈

That was the question we put to senior politicians from every major UK-wide political party at our Global Annual Conference in Westminster yesterday!

💬 Five politicians. One question. Five different perspectives.

Hear what The Rt Hon @RachelReevesMP, Rt Hon Sir @MelJStride MP, Rt Hon Sir @EdwardJDavey MP, Rt Hon @RobertJenrick MP and Zack Polanski AM had to say… 👇

#WhereBusinessBelongs #Growth #UKPolitics #Leadership #Business #Economy #FutureGrowth

[BCC @britishchambers]

On Saturday 27 June we honour the bravery, dedication and sacrifice of the UK Armed Forces on #ArmedForcesDay.

We’re proud that the British Chambers of Commerce has received the Gold Award in the MOD Employer Recognition Scheme – the highest recognition under the Armed Forces Covenant.

This reflects our ongoing commitment to veterans, reservists, service leavers and military families.

ℹ️Find out more about #ArmedForcesDay info & events: https://t.co/4W6XepNOyh

Thank you to all who serve – your courage, commitment and resilience inspire us.

[BCC @britishchambers]

🎬 That’s a wrap to #GAC26!

Our Chair, @michaelhayman MBE, closes the conference today with a clear call to action: turning insights into impact. ✅

💬 He says: “Confidence really does matter right now. Ambition matters. And ultimately belief in what we can achieve matters.”

👏 A huge thank you to all our visitors, contributors, and partners for sharing your expertise and energy.

[BCC @britishchambers]

🟢 Rethinking growth for a greener future!

Now on stage at #GAC26, Zack Polanski AM, Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, is addressing delegates.

As part of a diverse political line-up, he brings a alternative perspective to the conversation - setting out the Green Party’s vision for a fairer, greener economy, with a focus on investment in skills and stronger support for SMEs.

💬 He says: “Business is at its best when it has a purpose beyond simply making profit. When it is working for the good of the community, for the good of the country – and a better future.”

🫵 What does a greener, fairer economy mean in practice for your organisation?

[BCC @britishchambers]

This is the Chamber network in action! 🌍🤝

Leaders from across the UK and global Chamber network are showcasing how Chambers are powering business growth at every level.

From local support to global connections, this is where businesses find the backing, insight and advocacy they need to grow.

Together, we’re stronger!

#ChamberNetwork #BusinessGrowth #UKBusiness #GlobalTrade #BusinessSupport

[BCC @britishchambers]

An alternative vision for unlocking growth?

The Rt Hon. @RobertJenrick MP has taken to the stage and is outlining @reformparty_uk approach to unlocking growth - from cutting red tape to creating the right conditions for investment and job creation.

💬 He says “I'm sick of hearing small businesspeople – who've poured their heart and soul into keeping businesses afloat – tell me that they just don’t think there’s any way in which they can do it any longer, because of poor decisions being made by out of touch governments.”

🫵 #GAC26: What’s the biggest barrier holding your business back right now?

#WhereBusinessBelongs #BusinessGrowth #UKBusiness #EconomicGrowth #Policy #GrowthAgenda #UKEconomy

[BCC @britishchambers]

⏰🔗 Breakout session: 'Delivering Growth through Supply Chains'

Growth depends on strong foundations. From supply chains to skills and infrastructure, this session explores what businesses need to scale sustainably.

🫵 #GAC26 - Which area is the biggest constraint on growth for your business?

#WhereBusinessBelongs #Growth #Sustainability #BusinessGrowth #SupplyChain #Skills #Infrastructure #UKBusiness

[BCC @britishchambers]

⏰🚛 Breakout session: 'Delivering Growth through Trade'

For many businesses, trade = growth. This session is focused on unlocking export potential and strengthening the UK’s global position.

🫵#GAC26 - What’s your biggest export challenge right now?

#WhereBusinessBelongs #Trade #Growth #Exports #UKBusiness #GlobalTrade #InternationalTrade #ExportGrowth #BusinessGrowth #Economy #UKExports

[BCC @britishchambers]

⏰ The first round of breakout sessions are underway - diving into the ideas that will drive growth across UK business.

🦾 Breakout session: 'Delivering Growth through AI Adoption'

AI isn’t the future - it’s the growth driver of today. This session is exploring how businesses, especially SMEs, can adopt AI to boost productivity and scale. Adoption is everything!

🫵 Is your business actively using AI - or still exploring?

#WhereBusinessBelongs #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #UKBusiness #SMEs #BusinessGrowth

[BCC @britishchambers]

🟠 🗣️ Growth needs more than one voice.

The Rt Hon. Sir @EdwardJDavey MP, Leader of the @LibDems, addresses the UK business community, setting out his vision for sustainable economic growth.

Part of a vital cross-party moment at this year’s conference - where business is putting growth front and centre!

💬 He says "It’s businesses who promote growth. You’re the beating heart of our community. And I think you’ve been badly let down in recent years. […]
Our five-point plan for growth: Boosting trade. Backing small and growing businesses. Helping people into work. Cutting energy costs. And investing in innovation.”

🫵 #GAC26 - does sustainable growth look like for your business in practice?

#WhereBusinessBelongs #EdDavey #LiberalDemocrats #UKPolitics #UKBusiness #EconomicGrowth #Trade #SMEs

[BCC @britishchambers]

🔵 Next up, the Opposition sets out its vision for growth.

The Rt Hon. Sir @MelJStride MP, Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer of the The Conservative Party, is addressing delegates on the priorities needed to strengthen the UK economy.

Focusing on investment, productivity, competitiveness and sustainable growth, this is part of a wider cross-party conversation on the condition’s businesses need to succeed.

💬 He says "Every time businesses try to get back on their feet, it seems that something comes along to knock them back again. […] Our plan for a stronger economy is about identifying what has been going wrong and taking radical action.”

🫵 What would give you the confidence to invest and grow right now?

[BCC @britishchambers]

📍Now on stage, our new President, Andy Haldane CBE, delivers his first Global Annual Conference speech!

With growth at the top of the agenda, the emphasis is on creating the conditions that allow businesses to scale and succeed.

💬 He says: “The UK has a huge natural advantage when it comes to its pipeline of innovative, high-growth businesses.”

The focus now shifts from ambition to action.

🫵 #GAC26 - What should be at the heart of the UK’s economic vision for growth?

#WhereBusinessBelongs #UKEconomy #BusinessGrowth #Innovation #Investment #Leadership #EconomicPolicy

[BCC @britishchambers]

Growth needs more than ambition - it needs the right support systems.

🏦🗣 Robert Begbie, CEO Commercial & Institutional, @NatWestBusiness, joins BCC Chair, @michaelhayman MBE DL, to explore what it really takes to unlock growth across UK business.

From early-stage innovators to scaling businesses, the focus is clear:

👉 Better access to support
👉 Remove barriers for the “critical middle” mid-market companies
👉 Unlock investment in infrastructure that underpins long-term growth

Because growth isn’t just about starting up - it’s about scaling up.

🫵 What’s the biggest challenge your business faces when trying to grow - access to finance, skills, or investment?

#WhereBusinessBelongs #BusinessGrowth #UKBusiness #MidMarket #SMEs #EconomicGrowth #Investment

[BCC @britishchambers]

📍“Delivering Growth” starts right now!

🎤 Our Director General, @BCCShevaun CBE, is setting out what business needs from Government - and how the Chamber Network is already driving growth across the UK and globally.

This is about action, not just ambition.

💬 She says: “Back business, and we’ll deliver growth. If we want to see growth - our political leaders must reduce, the burdens on business. You must back businesses, not tax them.”

🫵 What’s one change you want to see from Government to support growth?

#WhereBusinessBelongs #BusinessGrowth #UKBusiness #EconomicGrowth #Policy #GrowthAgenda #UKEconomy

[BCC @britishchambers]

📍💼 What a way to start #GAC26!

Earlier this morning, the Chancellor, The Rt Hon. @RachelReevesMP, joined our Business Council meeting, hearing directly from members on the key priorities shaping the UK economy, including AI, the EU Reset, and regional growth, before taking the stage for an In Conversation with @SophyRidgeSky to discuss how Government work is continuing to unlock economic growth.

💬 She said "there is more to do, but all of that has to be anchored around that stability that I've returned to the economy. […] Businesses are absolutely crucial to growth, and what Government can do is provide the environment to encourage growth.”

With businesses across the UK looking for certainty, investment and direction, this is where policy meets reality.

Businesses are listening closely - because delivery matters!

#WhereBusinessBelongs #UKBusiness #EconomicGrowth #BusinessGrowth #Investment #Policy #AI #Innovation

[BCC @britishchambers]

📅📍 #GAC26 has officially begun, and this year's Conference promises to be like no other!

Bringing together senior representatives from ALL FIVE major political parties, alongside business leaders and the Chamber network, today’s Conference, hosted by Sky News’s lead politics presenter, @Sophy Ridge, will shape what delivering growth looks like for the UK.

Let the show BEGIN! 🎥

ℹ️ Check out the full agenda: https://t.co/DwfurI0bkc

🫵 Whether you are attending the event or following our coverage, we would love you to share your thoughts using #GAC26. What does “growth” mean for your business in 2026?

[BCC @britishchambers]

🚨Ahead of our Global Annual Conference starting this morning, Director General, @BCCShevaun , sets out the challenge facing the next Prime Minister and what business want to see. 👇

https://t.co/Cn0v0E8JR8

[BCC @britishchambers]

⏩ Next up at the Global Leaders Forum: 'The Future of Global Trade: How SMEs Win in a Platform Economy'.

Sponsored and led by @AlibabaGroup, this session is exploring how AI, digital platforms, and connected ecosystems are transforming the future of international trade.

Rupert Daniels, Director - Services and Skills at @biztradegovuk is leading a discussion with Jose R. Puyana, ChMC, Director for Trade & Growth at Transform UK and Anita O., Head of Government Affairs, UK and Nordics at @AlibabaGroup, examining how SMEs can harness new technologies and digital opportunities to compete and grow in a rapidly evolving global marketplace.

💭 The future is already emerging - the question is: are we ready?

Sponsored and led by @AlibabaGroup

#GlobalLeadersForum #Alibaba #DigitalTrade #AI #SMEs #FutureOfTrade

[BCC @britishchambers]

From Serbia to Cambridge, Kenya to Staffordshire, 'The Global Offer: What Businesses Need From Us', Global Leaders Forum session, led by our Director of Trade, Steven Lynch MBE, is exploring the strength, diversity, and real-world reach of our global network - and what businesses truly need from a “global offer” that works in practice, not just in principle.

We’ll explore how chambers, partners, and international networks can better support businesses navigating growth, trade, and opportunity across borders.

A conversation about connection, capability, and competitiveness in a global market.

Supported by @AlibabaGroup

#GlobalLeadersForum #TeamUK #EconomicDiplomacy #InternationalBusiness #Alibaba