Fife Chamber CEO Update July 2023

Well Summer is here at last! It’s holiday season and I do hope you all manage to get away for some much-earned R&R. I am managing to escape for some sun over the coming weeks and will be raring to go upon my return.

We have now finalised the date for the upcoming EXPO which will take place on the Tuesday 3^rd October at the Carnegie Conference Centre in Dunfermline. Thanks for your great feedback and responses and I will be sending out more details near the end of July about how to book a table/stand and what seminars/speakers we will have on the day. I am hoping to have 50 plus businesses in attendance. I am really looking forward to it and hope that we can make it an annual event.

On the 22^nd June we hosted a very enjoyable Fife Social at Landscape Brothers. The sun shone and we enjoyed some great conversations in an amazing Show Garden hidden away in Kirkcaldy. Please do visit as it is very worthwhile!

Our next Fife Social is at the picturesque Kirkcaldy Golf Club on Thursday 17^th August. I hope the weather treats us well and please do register to attend. I look forward to seeing you there.

We are also working on our next ‘Taste of Fife’ event which will be at the Rufflets Hotel, St Andrews on the 24^th August. Details to come on our Website soon.

International

The next training workshop ‘Customs Procedures and Documentation’ is on 8^th August, this is a full day in person event at St Andrews Management Centre training room in Cupar. Please do get in touch if you require more information. Details are on the website.

We also have a few places left for the free ‘Export Controls and Licenses’ event on the 5^th September. (more details on the website)

Bank of England

At our recent Bank of England Panel Meeting hosted by the Muir Group we were discussing Interest Rates, General Business, Staff and Skills Challenges and what the future holds moving forward. It became clear that we still have some way to go with Interest Rates but the initial rates rises from 18 months ago are now having some positive effect. The Bank continues to look at the data and we hope that the market trends are moving in the right direction. Our next meeting with the Bank is in November so we are hoping for some more positive news then.

I take this opportunity to welcome a few new members to the Chamber this month and look forward to meeting with you at future events.

New Members

Epipole Ltd, Alba Heat & Power, Joe Compare & Consumertec

Renewing Members

Franks Portlock Consulting Ltd, Rollos, Formlink Ltd, Young & Partners Bus Lawyers Ltd, Binn Group, University of Dundee - Graduate Apprenticeships, Shackleton Technologies, Morson International, McDonald Water Storage, Selbrae House, Panda Print, VeriCall Solutions, Create & Prosper Financial Services Ltd, Premier Services (Fife) Ltd, Farid Hillend Engineering, Borland Insurance & Wright, Johnson & MacKenzie LLP

Please do get in touch if you have feedback on how we are helping you and your Business or how we can help you connect and make your Business prosper.

Stephen Percy-Robb

CEO, Fife Chamber of Commerce