BHCC - Brighton & Hove Chamber of Commerce

"The Chamber Rooms are great for anyone who wants to focus on a specific project away from day-to-day office interruptions.  I am spending one week a month at the Chamber Rooms on product development for our Sales Precruitment service and am certain my productivity levels have shot up!  Highly recommended." 
Jacky Misson, Rise Sales Development

 

"A  stand out event for me was Breakfast at Carluccio’s on 11th November with Tim Jarvis from SeeThat Media as guest speaker. Tim shared, with humour & charm, the journey travelled over the past couple of years during which he established his video production company.  He spoke of his commitment to produce outstanding work with pride and passion. He re-affirmed my belief that all business, irrespective of sector or size, is dependent on good people; their belief in a shared vision, integrity, and the ability to trust and work together to make it happen. Thank you Chamber. Thank you Tim."
Jan Burgess, Educast Limited

 

"When we launched our Brighton-business last year, we were keen to quickly establish our brand and connect with other businesses in the City. The Chamber’s Inspirational Breakfasts are a great way of doing this and provide excellent networking opportunities. They also focus on relevant topics and are hugely enjoyable."
Michael Divers, bold_hr

 

"Don’t be put off by the thought of networking events. We felt like the last people on earth likely to ever attend one, but we were pleasantly surprised by how good they are.
 
If you’re not accustomed to networking, we can thoroughly recommend the Chambers’ breakfasts. They have managed to create such a friendly, chilled-out atmosphere that brings out the best in people. A fab start to the day, we left feeling energized and in such a short space of time, managed to not only make some good contacts, but also get to know some interesting people. We feel it’s best to not think of it in purely business terms, but rather, as a chance to meet people you wouldn’t ordinarily meet, and to have some fun. The talks are really interesting, there’s always something new to learn.
 
We’ve found all the staff at Brighton Chambers so welcoming and professional, always ready to give advice and make introductions. Tapping into their fantastic  knowledge of the local business scene is also a bonus. So, if you’re looking to promote your business or raise your local profile whilst learning from a variety of guest speakers, give them a try. Oh yes, and the Carluccios’ breakfasts are awesome!"
Bryan Garcia-Wilkinson, Artfeeder

 

"In the middle of last year I took a life changing decision to move out of the relative comfort of corporate life and set-up on my own. Having not run a small business before the experience has been simultaneously both exciting and a little scary for me. Needless to say that every penny spent matters and I have been very careful about how I have invested in getting my business going.

One of the best investments I have made to date has been the money I have spent in joining the Brighton & Hove Chamber of Commerce.  For someone who has found networking a little painful in the past the Chambers has made the experience of networking with Brighton’s businesses much more pleasurable. I have found the Inspirational Breakfasts network events to be both easy to get involved in, thanks to the Chambers Ambassadors, extremely valuable in terms of the access they provide to Brighton and Hove’s very supportive business community and very informative thanks to the well thought about presentations that are shared at these events.

I have also found the Chambers to be an excellent champion of my business through their promotion of my offers and articles through email, the Chambers Website and social media. All in all they have been a great support team for me through my early days as a new business owner and I couldn’t recommend them more."
Robin Hall, Robin Hall HR

 

“Having recently moved to Brighton I have found the Chamber a fantastic way to meet useful business contacts.  The Chamber makes new members feel very welcome and connects us with other relevant members.  I have had a number of personal introductions made by Sarah as well as attending the friendly and informative events.  For a modest investment, the Chamber is a great way to increase your connections in the City as well as an invaluable resource.”
Robert Da Costa, Da Costa Coaching Ltd

 

"I booked the board room for an all-day workshop for Makemedia and it was fantastic! The room is spacious, clean and very quiet. The kitchen facility was very handy and there are lots of shops and restaurants nearby for lunch. Other spaces that I looked at were more expensive and charged for little extras which the Chamber Rooms provide inclusively – pens, paper, coffee, wifi, etc. I was very impressed and hiring out this meeting room was excellent value for money so I will be using it again."
Laura Evans, Makemedia 

 

"The Chamber Rooms have an abundance of natural light with a warm, relaxed atmosphere. Compared to the other options available in the city, there is a broad sector of the local business community using the spaces which means that every day, I'm learning something new and practical to use in my business. Sarah and her team have done a wonderful job of creating a practical business hub that is very reasonably priced and a pleasure to work in. I initially came for 1 week but have ended up booking until the end of the year! I would highly recommend the Chamber Rooms as a place to work from, either temporarily or permanently."
Stéph Marshall, Sustainable Retrofits

 

In addition to the occasional evening event, I have made a conscious effort to attend as many Chamber breakfasts as possible this year. I have the greatest of respect for the speakers, as it is not an easy gig. I thought that getting David Marks MBE, in September, was a very impressive catch. Designer of The London Eye and planned Brighton i360, a wonderful speaker, whom I listened to not from a business perspective, but through sheer interest.
Paul Griffiths, Lighthouse Financial Advice



The Terre-a-terre brunch talk was really interesting. It’s often easy with Networking events to be thinking ‘What on earth do I have in common with the person I’m talking to?’. As part of the talk we did an exercise on finding something in common with whoever we were sitting next to. For this, I ended up chatting to Stacy Martin from Crunch, an online accountancy firm.
I’m Sales Manager of Light Foot LED, an LED Lighting company: whilst on the face of it we had nothing in common,  when we started with the idea of ‘we have something in common, let’s find out what it is’, we quickly established the same two things were important to both of our customers: 1)Saving money (Crunch offer Accountancy prices cheaper than the big firms, Light Foot LED help customers save £££ on their lighting electricity bills) & 2)Being Eco-friendly (Crunch work mostly online, thereby minimising the Carbon output of constant travel, and Light Foot LED offer LED Lights which contain no poisonous Mercury etc., reduce electricity consumption and last much longer than conventional lighting to minimise Production carbon emissions.
It was therefore a fascinating exercise in how much even seemingly unconnected firms such as ours can have in common if they start with the right mindset, and was inspirational for Networking.         
Dominic James, Lightfood LED


For the past two years I've attended the Chamber's Christmas parties. Last year's cabaret was particularly fun, and as I work on my own the majority of the time it means I get the chance to have a work Christmas party too!
Paul Bunkham, Dobit

I have always found the Brighton and Hove Chamber events enjoyable and an excellent way to meet new contacts and keep in touch with other members. At my first networking event one of the Ambassadors introduced me to lots of people and made me feel very welcome. The choice of speakers at the events is always very good and the atmosphere is relaxed, supportive and fun. The Chamber is always open to trying new things and I have particularly enjoyed the brunch networking events that were introduced this year.
Alice Jones, The Grand Brighton

“I’ve been impressed by how friendly, dynamic and positive everyone within the Chamber is, members and executive alike. It’s a pleasure to be part of an organisation which is forward-thinking, approachable and vibrant. The meetings I’ve been to have been well organised, very well attended and I’ve come away with fresh contacts, fresh ideas and some fresh work too! Equally impressive is the fact that wherever there’s a Chamber representative, they make a point of introducing members to others where there may be some mutual business interest – which is really thoughtful and constructive,” says Jill, “and in this economic climate it’s good to know the Chamber is supporting members to make their businesses thrive."
Jill Woolf, Chimera Communications

The Chamber provides an excellent hub for people in the Brighton and Hove business community to meet each other and share their experiences, concerns and news.  The Chamber events are usually full of a diverse mix of different businesses and are therefore great opportunities for cross-referrals with people that you build a relationship with and help you build a network of contacts in your operating area so you know who to call on.  In addition, the events allow for the sharing of a wealth of different subjects, from use of social media, to branding and issues that affect the City.  I enjoy being involved as an Ambassador of the Chamber and speaking with members (new and existing) and look forward to many more events in the future!
Debbie Venn, ASB Law LLP

Why I like the Chamber Spotlight Suppers
Well, for a start they’re a bit different.  The group is considerably smaller than at a number of networking events, which suits me just fine.  If you want to exchange business cards with countless attendees in a short time, then this event is not for you.  Instead, the evening affords a relaxed opportunity to enjoy some quality interaction with a small number of people in a safe environment.

Then of course there’s the food, which is totally yumptious.  Last time I enjoyed a Sussex Fish Stew to die for.  And those very nice people at The Hove Kitchen are happy to serve my beloved sparkling elderflower - an important consideration for a non-drinker.

Then finally, the format: three punchy dissertations on a theme keep me interested, informed and entertained.  It’s a great evening - give it a try.
Vicky Townshend, Vicky Townshend Secretarial Services


This particular event, while following the popular networking formula of mingle-eat-listen to speaker-mingle, was pretty special. The Grand’s fading opulence is always a treat, even in one of their formal, wood-paneled rooms full of men in suits. I guess a speaker from the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee is going to attract more than its fair share of accountants but he was riveting. What a treat to hear one of our leading economists cover exchange rate difficulties, inflationary pressures, unemployment issues and quantitative easing with such authority. Not only was he clear but I had to admire his candour. What is the economic outlook? Well, it’s not looking good and much is uncertain! Fortunately we seem to have at least one member on that commitee with a planet sized brain who appears to care deeply about it.
Paul Hutchings, Kindle Research

I really enjoy coming along to the Chamber’s fortnightly inspirational breakfasts because not only are they a lot of fun, it’s great to network in such a friendly and warm environment. From attending these events regularly, we’ve made some great contacts and it’s been brilliant for raising our company’s profile locally.
The breakfasts are great for our business, because our business is built on relationships. The Chamber provides an environment where we can not only meet lots of new people, but also build long-term relationships with business partners.
Tino Da Silva, MCCIT Support

It was a huge honour to be asked to speak at the Chamber's first Spotlight Supper at The Hove Kitchen in May. As with all Chamber events, the quality of the food, the very pleasant companionship and the resulting business opportunities was second to none.
I was very touched by the warmth and enthusiasm that greeted the short talks on social enterprise given by Judith Cousins from The Business Community Partnership, Karen Barford from Care Co-ops and me. I look forward to attending many more Chamber suppers in the future!
Andy Winter, Brighton Housing Trust

Being members of the Brighton & Hove Chamber of Commerce gives the University of Sussex a great insight into the business world, as well as the chance to collaborate with some fantastic organisations.
By working with the Chamber, we can give other members an accessible way to work with the University, and get involved with our activities and events. Our students have really benefitted from our relationship as they have been able to gain access to Chamber activity, which has enhanced their CV, personal development and student experience generally.
The University of Sussex is very keen to contribute to the economic success of Brighton & Hove and working with Chamber is a great way to do this.
Sally Wright, University of Sussex


With a warm and lively atmosphere the Chamber’s networking events allow my team and I to make meaningful connections and partnerships. Some have led to valuable new contracts, while other friendships simply make working in Brighton even more enjoyable.
Membership opens up diverse opportunities. In recent months we’ve run a PR workshop through the Smart Learning programme and hosted the first Chamber Star Awards, which was great fun.
The Chamber team and its volunteers work exceptionally hard and the result is exactly what it should be; welcoming, thought-provoking and excellent value for money.
Vicky Hoad, Blue Rocket PR


As a small business owner, I’ve found the Brighton & Hove Chamber of Commerce hugely supportive. Meeting other, like-minded people who run similar-sized businesses and face similar problems, I have not only had the opportunity to swap valuable advice and experience, but I’ve also made some valuable contacts with both prospective clients and local suppliers. The Chamber has been a great source of inspiration to me and I believe they play a very important role in bringing businesses together in the City.
Georgina Gibson, Georgina Gibson Interior Design

Being a member of the Chamber has allowed Bizspace to greatly improve both our known presence and levels of interaction within the local business arena. The fortnightly inspirational breakfasts allow Bizspace staff to meet, identify and sustain relationships already established with other local like-minded businesses and individuals who share our passion for building trade and commerce in Brighton & Hove. It has been a pleasure to be involved with such a pro-active Chamber, one that cares for its members and wishes to see a real return from their investment. For that reason I make sure I book my breakfasts well in advance to secure my place!
Matthew Barrell, Bizspace Limited

I thoroughly enjoyed the first Chamber Business Brunch, in partnership with The Mumpreneurs Networking Club. The speaker was excellent, the venue a great treat and the buzz in the room fantastic. The first of its kind, this event provided a great opportunity to talk to plenty of new faces who can’t usually make it to the early morning breakfasts, as well as catch up with members of both the Chamber and The Mumpreneurs Network. The joint networking events are always a great place to meet and network with other like-minded people and a good way to engage with other local business communities.
Clare Evans, Time Management Coach 

 

I’ve attended two of the Chamber’s Smart Learning sessions – they were both really enjoyable with great materials and a friendly, supportive group of people. We were given plenty of time to learn from each other as well as the formal learning. I was particularly impressed by the facilitators’ ability to tailor the sessions to meet the needs of the wide range of businesses in the room – they took the time to find out what we hoped to take from the day and tailored their presentations in light of that. I left both events with a smile on my face and with lots of practical tips – highly recommended!
Susan Kelly, Change Nutrition Ltd 

 

I joined the Chamber about four years ago and have really enjoyed being a member. On a personal level I’ve met some great people who I have become friends with though the networking events – I have then gone on to work with some of these people on business related projects. The Chamber is not stuffy and has a really positive vibe about it, this is great when you are a small business needing some support. There are also opportunities to get involved as a volunteer – I have found this really useful for my business and making new contacts.
Clare Hall, Hall Creative 

 

"The Chamber stands out from other networking groups and events due to its relaxed, welcoming approach and variety of members, which results in the perfect environment to build up an excellent group of business contacts. As the largest law firm in Brighton & Hove, we feel it is important that we support our vibrant business community. The Chamber gives us the opportunity to meet with some of the best businesses that the City has to offer, to share ideas and offer advice to those that may need legal services. We are very proud to be sponsoring the first ever Chamber Star Awards in April to recognise those members that make an outstanding contribution to the Chamber and the great work it does for local business."
Gemma Hope, Mayo Wynne Baxter

 

"I wasn’t sure which networking group to join when I first started in business, so I tried them all. Most of them were completely wrong for my business, but the Chamber was excellent. The networking events are well attended, well prepared and genuinely interesting – they must be to get me out of the house by 7am! I enjoy catching up with business friends and meeting new people,  but what’s really nice is that if I want to meet a whole group of new contacts I can, or if I wish to contact a specific person the Chamber  can help me do that too. I’m now a Chamber Ambassador and feel privileged to welcome in new members and help them with their networking. I would whole heartedly recommend joining the Chamber to any local business."
David Blood, Posture People Ltd 

 

''Such an active Chamber team makes this probably the best in the region. Friendly, efficient and supportive. It's great to meet and network with other members from sole traders to PLCs all at the same events, and every time the Chamber teams are always so welcoming. The annual diary, member's directory and training resources are invaluable to any business. At last a Chamber that really does work for business and community.''
Richard Excell, Excell Design

 

"We decided to join the Chamber after a recommendation from members Bainbridge Lewis accountants. It was our first official step into a business networking group so we were unsure what to expect, but the Chamber team are fantastic and very welcoming. As a small business which is relatively new to the scene it’s great to meet other people in a similar position and get ideas and inspiration from each other. We’ve made some great contacts since joining who we’re starting to get business from and have had The Argus referred to us for a feature so we’re really pleased with the added exposure."
Jeremy Jacobs, Indulgence Cupcake Company

 

"I joined the Chamber in order to develop new commercial clients in the Brighton area and I've made some excellent contacts and won very enjoyable new business as a result. I was asked by the Chamber to take some photographs at their AGM in 2010, and was later asked to photograph some of the Chamber volunteers for their website. This put me in direct contact with other members, several of whom have since commissioned my photographic work. Personal recommendation is a crucial way of gaining the trust of new clients and being able to 'do my thing' in front of influential businessmen and women in Brighton and Hove has been invaluable."
Trevor Smeaton, Trevor Smeaton Photography LLP

 

"I joined the Chamber of Commerce over a year ago.  As a freelance Marketer, I spend a lot of time working alone in my home office and being a member has given me lots of opportunities to meet new people and build relationships with other business owners. Over the past year I’ve shared skills and worked alongside many other members including graphic designers, copywriters and other small businesses needing help to plan their marketing activities. The Chamber events are really relaxed and friendly. I now truly feel part of the business community in Brighton and Hove."
Christine Davey, Christine Davey Marketing

"I met the New Writing South team at a Chamber Breakfast in October.  After listening to them, I realised Bonett’s could derive some benefits from collaboration to improve our use of the English language. Following workshops with Paul Lyalls, a London based poet, we are slowly reinventing our ‘words’.  It’s been very rewarding, including some surprising publicity - a piece with James Naughtie on the Radio 4 Today Programme. You can’t ask for much more than that!"
Paul Bonnett, Bonnett's Estate Agents

 

"I was delighted to join the Chamber, as having the opportunity to introduce The Sussex Beacon to a variety of people, from a myriad of industries, is vitally important. Companies and their employees can help a charity in many different ways and the Chamber provides us with a structured, supportive, business-driven environment where we can develop mutually beneficial relationships. Being a member of the Chamber will be a key tool in helping in the sustained growth of The Sussex Beacon."
Nick Rose, The Sussex Beacon

 

“The Chamber’s Inspirational Breakfasts at first sounded a bit formal and intimidating, but my initial fears were dissolved as I quickly realised I was amongst a relaxed, approachable group of local business people. I'm now a regular at these events and enjoy the variety of conversation, the support from like-minded people who understand the challenges I am facing with my own business and the exchange of ideas and experience. From attending Chamber events, I've learned a lot about the businesses in our City and, importantly, they’ve also learned about Green Mop.”
Racheal Hughes, Green Mop Ltd 

 

“The Chamber’s Big Debates offer a relaxed alternative to traditional networking events – the way they're organised means they're informal, friendly and informative. These events are a great way to keep in touch with what’s going on in the local business community and it’s also quite an eye-opener to hear some people's opinions on topical issues affecting Brighton and Hove.  Audience involvement and inviting attendees to vote with their feet also gives everyone the chance to move around, hear lots of different opinions and find out about people from a variety of local businesses.” 
Linda Harrison, Linda Harrison Copywriter