Milton Keynes’ Chamber of Commerce has been taken over by Northamptonshire business leaders with effect from today.
Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce has been given the go-ahead by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) to set up a new Milton Keynes Chamber of Commerce.
The new Milton Keynes Chamber has no connection to the previous Milton Keynes & North Bucks Chamber, which closed its doors in February, and will be run by the team behind the Northamptonshire Chamber.
Paul Griffiths, chief executive of Northamptonshire Chamber, who will also take on the role of chief executive of Milton Keynes Chamber, said: “We have an amazing team here at Northamptonshire Chamber and we are keen to replicate the success we have experienced
in Northamptonshire in Milton Keynes.
“We are committed and dedicated to helping businesses to grow and prosper and do this through giving them access to a range of different products and business support services that I am sure the companies of Milton Keynes will also benefit from.
“We understand that many firms in the Milton Keynes area may feel let down by their previous chamber of commerce and we are keen to help.
“We have already been working with some members of the previous chamber by processing export documentation for them to enable them to carry on exporting their products abroad.
“And, now that we have been given the green light to set up a new chamber in Milton Keynes, we are able to help them in other areas too, such as with free legal and HR advice and helping to put them in touch with other MK businesses through a varied calendar of events.”
He added: “Northamptonshire Chamber and Milton Keynes Chamber will operate as two separate concerns and will not be a ‘merged’ chamber, although we plan to hold some joint events each year to allow members of the two chambers to have the opportunity
of developing cross-border connections.
“Also, Northamptonshire Chamber will provide International Trade services and deliver the initial calendar of chamber training courses to Milton Keynes members.”
Councillor Andrew Geary, leader of Milton Keynes Council, said: “I’m delighted that the Northamptonshire Chamber will be taking on the management of the new Milton Keynes Chamber of Commerce.
“The Northamptonshire Chamber is a long-standing and well respected organisation that will provide a dedicated Milton Keynes operation to suit the needs of our local companies.
“I very much look forward to working with them to further build our reputation as a great place to do business.”
Further details of the new Milton Keynes Chamber of Commerce can be found by visiting: www.chambermk.co.uk or calling the team on 01908 547820.