Doncaster Chamber has been finalised for two British Chamber of Commerce Awards. The national awards for ‘Chamber of the Year’ and ‘Campaign of the Year’ recognise the Chamber’s exemplary service that supports the growth and prosperity of the local and British business community.
“Through consultation, lobbying, training, and community engagement, Doncaster Chamber is at the heart of getting things done,” says Dan Fell, CEO, Doncaster Chamber.
“Being shortlisted against other UK Chambers for these two prestigious awards is testament to the hard work, skill and dedication of all Chamber staff and directors for their service to business members and the wider community. Our vision is to be the best Chamber in the UK, as we believe that this is the scale of ambition that our business community and economy deserves.”
Doncaster’s Chamber of the Year award entry highlighted how the not-for-profit organisation serves over 700 business members and their 60K employees with tailored packages of business support, training and events, communications and policy work, delivers the UK’s biggest Chamber Awards night which is known for its rigorous and fair judging process, and leads on policy work to support the borough to get things done and make Doncaster one of the fastest growing cities in the UK.
Says Gavin Baldwin, CEO Club Doncaster, Director Doncaster Chamber: “As a Director I never cease to be surprised by the innovation and ambition of Doncaster Chamber and the contribution it makes to firms of every size and sector, strengthening our economy and changing so many lives for the better.
“With Doncaster at its core and the benefits being felt locally, regionally and nationally, Doncaster Chamber is everyone’s solution to lead growth in our economy through providing strategic thinking, passion and an oasis of calm.”
Going for a double win, Doncaster Chamber has also entered the “Campaign of the Year” Award for leading a successful three year campaign to get Government approval to open a University Technical College (UTC) in Doncaster.
As well as backing from Chamber members, the project was supported by local and regional schools, colleges and universities, Doncaster Council and the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership.
Whilst a huge focus of the campaign was about securing permission to open the UTC, it had a wider remit of catalysing much needed change to Doncaster’s education system – which needs more diversity and choice – whilst providing opportunities to further enhance the Chamber’s already outstanding ‘bridging the gaps’ activity currently delivered by the Doncaster Skills Academy.
Says Mark Clapham, Sherwood Restaurants Ltd T/A McDonald’s, Director Doncaster Chamber: “The team do an outstanding job in helping sculpt the future of Doncaster’s success. Doncaster Chamber has an excellent relationship with Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council and the borough’s schools, academies and Doncaster College.
“Through an excellent track record of delivering projects and ‘just getting things done’ they have been gifted the rights to manage key projects, for example in the skills and business links with education, but also influencing strategic decisions in ‘all matters’ Doncaster as most trusted advisors.”
Tina Slater, Head of Business and Education, Doncaster Chamber said: “The Chamber’s Doncaster Skills Academy helps lead the way in building sustainable partnerships between education, business and other private and public organisations to raise the career aspirations of young people and grow our future talented workforce for an even stronger local business community and local economy.”
The national winners will be announced at the 2018 Chamber Business Awards Gala Dinner on Thursday 29 November in London.
