By Colin Marr, Chief Executive, Inverness Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber network is the only business organisation with local roots, national influence and global reach. That was the message from Sarah Howard MBE, Chair of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), as she closed this year’s Global Annual Conference.
Hosted by the BBC’s Clive Myrie, the event featured keynote speeches from the Prime Minister, the Governor of the Bank of England, and the Leader of the Opposition. At least two other Cabinet Ministers were also in attendance, highlighting the importance of the Chamber network in shaping the national conversation.
The day began with a breakfast session for around 100 delegates, including representatives from some of the UK’s largest companies. BCC President Baroness Martha Lane Fox MBE opened the session and introduced Paul Drechsler CBE, Lead Non-Executive Director at the Department for Business and Trade, and Sally Jones, Deputy Director for Trade Strategy. Sally provided a detailed overview of the UK’s trade strategy, while Paul reminded us of the many advantages of doing business in the UK – ranging from our advanced manufacturing and creative industries to our world-class universities and, crucially, our adherence to the rule of law. He urged us all to be confident, optimistic and enthusiastic.
We then joined the other 500 delegates in the main conference hall, where the Prime Minister delivered the opening address. Sir Keir Starmer used his speech to formally launch the UK Government’s Trade Strategy, which was warmly welcomed by the audience. He thanked businesses for shouldering the burden of the recent National Insurance increase and acknowledged the concerns surrounding certain aspects of the Employment Rights Bill.
In a follow-up interview with Clive Myrie, the Prime Minister was asked about his level of concern regarding global events – specifically, the potential impact of the conflict in Iran on energy prices. He responded by stressing that transitioning to clean energy is not only environmentally essential but also strategically important to protect the UK from future energy shocks.
He described the Trade Strategy as one that aims to make the UK the most connected country in the world, while also ensuring protections for British companies if they are treated unfairly overseas. He also highlighted the need to unblock the planning system and improve access to grid connections. Echoing a theme that would recur throughout the day, he expressed strong support for artificial intelligence, describing himself as someone who “leans into” the potential of AI as a driver of future growth.
BCC Director General Shevaun Haviland introduced the main theme of the conference: “Where is the Growth?” She also issued a clear plea to Government – not to increase business taxes in the upcoming autumn budget.
Read BCCs response to UK Government’s Trade Strategy here
The AI Session
Baroness Martha Lane Fox led a fascinating panel discussion with three AI industry leaders. Her message was clear: we must avoid becoming a two-speed economy divided between businesses that have embraced AI and those left behind. The panellists emphasised the need for business leaders to adopt AI enthusiastically, support their workforce through change, and be willing to learn from their own staff – who may be further along the adoption curve.
When asked from the floor why we should embrace AI, the panel agreed that while no future is certain, AI offers the most promising route to increased productivity. They also warned that in five years’ time, internet-based information could be less reliable – making it essential for businesses to develop and rely on their own data sources.
Heathrow and Infrastructure
Shevaun Haviland later interviewed Thomas Woldbye, CEO of Heathrow Airport. Now 18 months into the role, he shared how he has focused on improving customer service. Heathrow now averages less than five minutes for passengers to clear security and has become the most punctual hub airport in Europe. These improvements have paved the way for the UK Government to indicate support for a third runway – welcome news for the Highlands, given the volume of freight that passes through Heathrow, which is nearing capacity.
Andrew Bailey, Governor of the Bank of England, also addressed delegates, offering insights into interest rate policy and the Bank’s outlook for the economy. He was keen to stress that the views and conditions of businesses play a key role in the Bank’s decision-making process.
Closing Reflections
After a series of breakout sessions in the afternoon, the final keynote came from Kemi Badenoch, followed by closing remarks from Sarah Howard. She reminded us that the BCC is a network of 51 Chambers representing over 50,000 businesses. Our members give us our local roots, while events like the Global Annual Conference give us national influence. On global reach, she highlighted a striking statistic: while only 10% of UK businesses export internationally, that figure rises to 40% among Chamber members.
So, what were the key takeaways from the conference?
We must prioritise trade, invest in skills, and focus on driving productivity growth. And as we navigate this journey, artificial intelligence may prove to be one of our most valuable allies.
Headline Image: Charandeep Singh BEM, Deputy Chief Executive, Scottish Chambers of Commerce; Shevaun Haviland CBE, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce; and Inverness Chamber of Commerce, Chief Executive, Colin Marr.