Sheffield has a growing reputation as a collaborative, creative and culturally vibrant city – one where artists, makers, institutions and communities come together to shape a distinctive cultural identity. Rooted in its industrial heritage yet forward-looking in its approach, the city continues to foster spaces where culture isn’t just consumed, but actively made and shared by its people – as unLTD discussed in conversation with Sheffield Chamber of Commerce’s Chief Executive, Louisa Harrison-Walker, and Executive Manager in Policy and Public Impact, Tracy Vine
For you, what makes Sheffield’s sense of place?
Louisa: Sheffield is a city built by its makers and innovators, one that is shaped by strong neighbourhoods, vibrant district centres and by doing things its own way – it’s where the individual joins the collaborative. And I’d argue we have the perfect mix.
On top of that, with a third of our footprint in the stunning Peak District, we’re uniquely connected to nature – rivers, hills and green space are part of daily life here.
Tracy: Sheffield has long been a city of innovation and integrity – it has a history as a crucial centre for industrialisation, which continues even now, but set against a backdrop of philanthropy. That’s how we’ve built our libraries, our universities and our hospitals.
The spirit of collaboration here in Sheffield is why so many incredible initiatives are born and become huge successes – initiatives like Sheffield Business Together and the Pride of Place board which the Chamber are proud to be a part of. We’re always driving inclusive, sustainable growth for our region.
Tell us more about the collaborative nature of the city.
Louisa: Collaboration is something Sheffield does really well. Having the public, private and third sectors all working together may be rare, but it’s something that happens naturally here. That’s especially true with our Levelling Up Futures in Sheffield scheme that saw Sheffield Hallam University, the council, ourselves and Business in the Community work together to grow opportunities for See It Be It. As part of this, there was an opportunity to expand the development of The BiG Challenge – a competition for young people in the city to learn about running a business.
As a Chamber, we also champion the City Goals and have helped to build the Sheffield Stronger Together Board. On top of this, following the visit and report of the Race Equality Commission, we have worked with Sheffield City Council to set up the Diverse Business Advisory Board too, which we continue to support.
Tracy: The list goes on. As an organisation, we are founder members of the Olympic Legacy Park and the Sheffield UTC. We are also founder members and Directors of Made in Sheffield together with Sheffield City Council and the Company of Cutlers, which is all born out of the collaboration of different organisations to better the wider city. All of this is to say that we prioritise collaboration, at home and across South Yorkshire, recognising that we thrive when working with our neighbours.
Recently, together with the other South Yorkshire Chambers, the Confederation of British Industry, the Federation of Small Businesses, Institute of Directors and The Company of Cutlers, we wrote to the Home Secretary to support the universities call for changes on the Immigration White Paper about foreign students. This was not just about income for the universities, research projects and future employees for businesses but also reflecting on the impact on our rich culture, and the nighttime and visitor economies.
What other great examples are there?
Louisa: The Chamber was recently instrumental in convening twelve organisations to commit to the new Rivers and Hills Street art on Wellington Street. It is helping to emphasise the value city centre spaces hold for all, fostering spaces where culture is actively made and shared.
In addition, our Chamber Vice President, Jerry Cheung, together with the Culture Collective CIC, has grown and delivered the Lunar New Year celebrations working in collaboration with Sheffield City Council, the Chamber and several community groups. This event culminates in a two-day festival that also supports the Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity.
We’re fortunate enough to say the list goes on. Through our partnership with The Sheffield College and our Business Academy, we have enabled the development of 20 more business academies and a new Creative Academy (launching this month) which supports skill-building in the next generation – as does the Made in Sheffield Academy, which will launch in the Autumn.
Tracy: Through Made in Sheffield (an organisation that is led by The Company of Cutlers, Sheffield City Council and us at the Chamber), a quality mark can be awarded to organisations that manufacture in the Sheffield postcode area.
Recently, we have awarded Made in Sheffield status to the award-winning Sheffield Theatres production of Standing at the Sky’s Edge and made the up-and-coming racing driver, Rowan Campbell-Pilling, a Made in Sheffield ambassador as he progresses through the ranks from Formula 4. Applicants, to use the mark, must prove they are making a finished product or service in Sheffield, representing Sheffield.
What’s happening behind the scenes?
Louisa: At a strategic level, the Chamber plays an active and deliberate role in shaping Sheffield’s future by sitting on a wide range of boards and partnerships across the region. From education to enterprise, skills to sustainability, our team contributes time and expertise to ensure the voice of business is embedded in key decisions.
These include bodies such as Made in Sheffield, South Yorkshire Charity Mentors, the Race Equality Partnerships Board, and the Sheffield Social Enterprise Network Steering Group. We co-chair the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority Business Advisory Board and support initiatives like Pride of Place with Business in the Community too.
The reasons behind our involvement vary – in some cases we were founding members, in others we were invited to represent the voice of business in the city. Ultimately, though, these roles also give us valuable insight into what’s happening across Sheffield, allowing us to both stay informed and share that knowledge widely.
Tracy: By participating in advisory boards for both universities, local skills networks, and economic partnerships, we help drive collaboration between sectors. It’s this ongoing, often unseen work that ensures the Chamber can influence policy, strengthen connections, and champion inclusive, place-based growth for the whole of Sheffield.
Whilst it may not always be obvious, supporting the rich culture of the city runs deeply through the veins of the Chamber, just as it does the throughout the city region.
To find out more about the Policy and Public Impact work of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, please email tracy.viner@scci.org.uk or visit: www.scci.org.uk/partnerships
