'Politically Neutral' Staffordshire Chambers Invite Privileged to Conservative Party Functions

As Sara Williams receives The King’s Award on behalf of the Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce for promoting opportunity (in particular social mobility), one needs an expert to decipher/unravel what this means in real terms for ordinary people on a limited income entering the business world (some of us are not convinced I'm afraid).

Very recently, after a FOI request regarding Stoke-on-Trent Council Chief Abi Brown, where it was discovered that she had received ￡20,000 in Freebies. The 323 pages of Giveaways also featured the Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce inviting Ms Brown to a Conservative Party function when Chambers are supposed to be an independent organisation.?The particulars are that they invited Brown to?a Conservative Party Conference Fringe Event for drinks and canapes on October 4th, 2016 (see page 191 in Brown's 323 pages of Freebies below).?

https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/20000-freebies-council-leader-abi-brown-including-500-kevin/

I wrote to Sara Williams (OBE - not forgetting) CEO of Staffordshire Chambers, and asked who had invited Ms Brown to the function and why. I was then ignored until the matter was raised with the Chamber of Commerce head office in London. Ms Williams did then reply. She said:

“Your request has been raised with our Audit and Governance Committee and there is no case to answer nor any obligation for us to respond further.”

The methodology of the Chambers and other like organisations is perhaps best illustrated via popular culture and the hit show Dragon’s Den. The most essential juncture in the business cycle for entrepreneurs is securing orders for their product or service and/or sourcing stockists or customers in order to sell that product. Instead, ‘contestants’ on Dragon’s Den are, by and large, already established and have accrued some sort of profit and customer base, but are pitching to venture capitalists to expand their respective businesses.

But what about the start-up impresarios who have no capital at all?

When I made enquiries, there are few organisations around to assist those without any resources or collateral. When applying to funding organisations online, one’s application can be rejected for a whole array of reasons. Investors, or those lauding over funds, are mostly looking for hi tech companies to invest in to meet their tick-box prerequisites. Grants (or at least loans) should be made available to assist with fees that are amassed at this important crossroads in the corporate cycle (after finalising the business plan). This would include equipment, accountant’s charges, trademarks, start-up advertising, websites, and perhaps the most important of all, representatives or agents to help with accessing contacts who may be in the position to sell the product/service.

In 2015, European monies managed by local authorities/agencies (BIC Staffordshire in this instance) came with the requirement that, if you wanted to apply to the Specialist Intensive Assistance Fund (for example), you could claim ￡4,500 for specialist external consultancy advice, only on condition that the one applying to the fund spent ￡18,000 themselves. When this anomaly was challenged, in that ordinary people have not got ￡18,000, one ‘professional’ from BIC (Sandra Butterworth) responded that they should not be going into business then (or words to that effect).

In relation to the Chamber of Commerce (the answer to the business novice’s prayer), and during the years post 2015, there were workshops available from time to time, but real help was non-existent. When I had dealings with the Chamber in Stoke-on-Trent, I found it to be nothing but an elitist conglomerate of local business leaders (mainly Conservatives) who were looking after their own interests/peddling their own wares.

During the years aforementioned, the Chamber were undertaking their quarterly economic survey. Would you believe that data from this is used by the Bank of England’s monetary policy committee, as one of its key benchmarks when setting interest rates? HM Treasury and the independent Office for Budget Responsibility also use the data to put together their forecasts for the UK’s economic performance. Economic doom and gloom is forecast, I am afraid, if the lack of initiatives for new business start-up assistance is factored into the statistics. In the real world, individuals from an ordinary background who manage to establish a company when they have no contacts, capital or collateral (some don’t even have an income) are a paucity.

During one Chambers workshop, I came across one hard-working young man attempting to set up his own company but had no capital at all. He ended up running around in circles. Most importantly, a vehicle (van) was required so that the business could be run efficiently. A loan of a vehicle until the business is up and running could be one way forward to allow those in the ‘non-capital’ bracket to institute their concern/s. Then, of course, when that business becomes successful it will be contributing to a strong local/national/international economy and employing people too.

The have-nots in the business community will no doubt question whether their lack of progression in business circles is down to issues around social mobility. Everybody has a right to assert their business acumen, without the disadvantage of financial constraints due to social origin. Our ‘fair and democratic’ system seems to afford those with vast amounts of wealth to accumulate even more, while others cannot even get on the ladder. It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.

Take media construct Victoria Beckham, whose job description in 2017 states that she is a singer (don’t snigger), actress (?) and philanthropist (a philanthropist supposedly promotes the welfare of others, especially with generous donations to good causes). Ms Beckham is now worth $450 million. Note dollars and not pounds. Perhaps Dragon’s Den (with advice from Chambers) should go one step further and introduce the celebrity version of the show to enable the mega-rich to become even richer. Yes, our own Vicky Adams could enter the Den, flogging her Golden Balls range. Now let’s see: forget the signature gowns, they’re so last winter. The elegant, fluid halterneck dress (with open back) cut from Bordeaux silk layered with georgette, featuring multicoloured abstract print (as seen on the Victoria Beckham website in 2017) is a snip at ￡2,275, and it’s gross to boot. Not to mention those flat, pointy slippers in glossy black calf leather (poor little cow) with twin studded buckles, to guard against that dusty Den floor. If Victoria really wanted to make an impression with the even wealthier Dragons, who would have the power to enable her to become as well-heeled as them, she could showcase the simple high-heeled boots, also made from calf leather, but sporting a round toe. The care card, branded dust bag and box are also included for a bargain ￡1,250.

Notes: The Chamber of Commerce react like a 'Business Mafia' when under scrutiny. Instead of addressing legitimate social mobility concerns detailed in this article, their modus operandi is to shut down criticism by blocking this piece on social media.