Somerset Chamber Business Partners
Working in partnership with business leaders
Somerset Chamber works closely with a small number of Business Partners who cover a wide range of industries and sectors. Find out more about them below.
Somerset Chamber works closely with a small number of Business Partners who cover a wide range of industries and sectors. Find out more about them below.
Established in 1866, we have over 150 years worth of heritage as accountants in Somerset and Dorset and we are proud to have worked with many of our clients through several generations. This is why small and medium-sized businesses, families and individuals continue to prosper by working with us.
We pride ourselves on being at the forefront of advancing technology, which ensures we are able to help you to make the most of the fast changing trends and new world of online accounting.
Bristol Airport is Somerset’s international gateway, connecting the county to over 120 destinations. We boost productivity, support businesses, and enable inbound tourism.
We play a critical role in the regional economy, providing some £2bn in GVA and employing over 5,000 people on-site, supporting a further 25,000 jobs.
The Airport was the first in the UK to set a target of achieving net zero operations by 2030. We are working in unique partnerships with the aerospace sector in the South West and beyond to accelerate the decarbonisation of flight.
“Somerset Chamber of Commerce and Bristol Airport share a goal of creating a growing and vibrant Somerset economy. We play a critical role connecting businesses in Somerset with the world and encouraging inbound tourists to visit this fantastic county. We’re proud to be supporting the Chamber as a Business Partner,” said Ian Drury, Head of Corporate Affairs, Media, and Community Relations.
For more details visit the website: https://www.bristolairport.co.uk/corporate/about-us/
Bristol Sport was founded by Steve Lansdown CBE, in 2012, formed with a single-minded goal to use sport for the power of good in Bristol and beyond. Inspired by a visit to Barcelona’s Nou Camp, Steve set about founding a multi-sport model unique in the UK. Comprised of five sports teams across professional football, rugby and basketball, the Lansdown family believe that Bristol Sport should support the city and the city should support sport, investing back into the community providing a pathway from grassroots to elite.
Ashton Gate Stadium it home to Bristol City FC and Bristol Bears Rugby. It is now firmly established as the largest venue in the South-West following a £45m rebuild in 2016 and a capacity of 27,000. With Bristol Bears Men and Bristol City Men’s and Women’s teams using the stadium as their home and Bears Women playing a number of fixtures per year here, the stadium hosts more than 60 matches per season alongside international fixtures such as the Arnold Cup featuring England’s Lionesses and Red Roses Six Nation clash against Wales. It also opened its doors to over 1.2 million non matchday visitors last year through concerts, large annual dinners, charity events and exhibitions.
Permission has been granted to build the new Sporting Quarter, an investment into the local community, driving employment, tourism and housing, comprising of a 4000-seater multi-use indoor arena which will become the home of the Bristol Flyers Basketball team, as well as providing a unique new indoor venue to host a wealth of international sporting events, exhibitions, comedy shows, intimate concerts and large scale events. 500 new homes are also part of the new development, along with office space and a hotel.
We work with many businesses through our events, hospitality offerings, partnership and venue sales, as well as providing a business networking opportunity through our Lansdown Club. We are delighted to become a member of the Somerset Chamber of Commerce and look forward to collaborating with our fellow members.
Brown & Brown
The new name for Higos Insurance Services in Somerset. More details to follow.
Clarke Willmott is a leading law firm that takes pride in being different. Our strong reputation is built on genuine client relationships and our exceptional people – each chosen for their industry knowledge and passion for their field, as well as their first-class legal credentials.
From seven offices across the country, our talented teams offer expert advice and support on a broad range of legal services to individuals and businesses, with focus on the most involved and complex matters. With Clarke Willmott you can be confident of working with the highest calibre of legal team, without the big city price tag.
Our commercial lawyers work closely with a wide variety of private sector businesses, public sector bodies and charitable organisations, providing expert guidance on almost every aspect of the law.
What sets Clarke Willmott apart is that we recognise not only the importance of providing legally watertight advice but also the need to support our clients’ corporate objectives and long term goals.
Leading global shipping experts Cory Brothers Ltd has been supporting the global supply chain for more than 180 years through a range of global shipping – freight forwarding, project logistics, customs clearance, liner and warehousing divisions.
From humble beginnings as shipbrokers and coal exporters in Cardiff, in 1842, Cory Brothers’ operation has grown to provide supply chain assistance throughout the UK and around the globe.
Businesses rely on them for local expertise, wherever in the world they are needed, helping firms to keep compliant, cost-effective and running on time.
With bases across the UK, plus the Netherlands and USA, Cory Brothers has a well earned reputation as a leader in the sector.
Find out more about Cory Brothers here.
Newsquest Somerset, publisher of the County Gazette, Bridgwater Mercury, Chard and Ilminster News and the Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News, is a media company with a difference.
We are committed to bringing a voice to your region, investing in a passionate team of journalists proudly serving their communities with authoritative news our readers trust.
Our experienced media sales people help local businesses promote their products and services to local audiences.
EDF is committed to investing in an energy mix that balances the needs of low-carbon emissions, security of supply, and affordability.
Nuclear power is the most affordable large-scale low-carbon energy source currently available to the UK.
The new nuclear power station proposed for Hinkley Point C, will provide energy to around five million homes; EDF has appointed the Somerset Chamber to manage the Somerset Supply Chain for Hinkley.
The HR Dept
More details to follow.
Leonardo, formerly AgustaWestland, designs, develops, manufactures and supports helicopters for military and commercial markets around the world. Their Somerset operations are based in Yeovil.
Müller UK & Ireland is a leading dairy products company and employs over 32,000 people throughout Europe, with a large site in Bridgwater.
The company exports to over 60 countries internationally and develops, manufactures and markets a wide range of branded and private label dairy products made with milk from 1,300 farmers in Britain, alongside a designated plant-based range.
Müller is one of the ten most chosen brands in Great Britain and the most popular dairy brand. It is ranked within the top 20 in The Grocer’s Top 100 list of Britain’s Biggest Brands and is picked from shelves millions of times each year.
Find out more here.
National Highways is a Government company which plans, designs, builds, operates and maintains England’s motorways and major A roads, known as the strategic road network.
The team manages and improves the strategic road network to make journeys safer, smoother and more reliable.
National Highways exists to ensure that England’s major roads are dependable, durable and – most importantly – safe, is actively working across Somerset, to both keep the county’s main roads moving and to deliver several major planned improvements.
Since 2015 it has invested billions of Pounds to improve road safety and increase capacity on the road network.
If you are looking for the highest level of business and tech apprenticeship training and support, you are in the right place. We are all about personal growth, because personal growth leads to business growth! We were founded by former apprentices, and our relationship-focused approach to building apprenticeship programmes is changing the game across the UK.
Pro Apprenticeships (Professional Apprenticeships Ltd) has been known for the high level of training and support it offers apprentices and businesses and have been rated Outstanding by Ofsted.
We offer hands-on training with learning, practical experience and education. For applicants, it is a pathway to a career with earnings from day one. For employers, it is a strategic investment to cultivate a skilled, loyal workforce.
Outstanding accomplishments for Pro Apprenticeships:
Apprenticeships we deliver
Using apprenticeship training for your existing team through Pro Apprenticeships is an excellent way to fill skills gaps, increase productivity and promote staff retention. An apprenticeship is a structured training programme designed to equip individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in various roles, such as business, marketing, software development, data analysis, and IT support.
These apprenticeships provide a clear pathway for development and becoming an expert in business and tech, combining practical, hands-on experience with specialised, industry-aligned education.
Why an Apprentice?
Apprenticeships focus on key skills and are provided only by approved providers. They can be used for both existing staff and new hires, ensuring high-quality, structured training.
Pro Apprenticeships takes time to understand the needs of all the companies we work with to identify professional development for your new and existing employees. We offer a complimentary consultation to help you discover the most productive way to use your Apprenticeship Levy.
Talk With Us Today:
Email: info@pro-app.co.uk
Phone: +44 (0)333 444 0036
Exclusive offer for Somerset Chamber members!
Pro Apprenticeships is offering a free apprenticeship and professional development (CPD) exploratory session for businesses, exclusively designed for members of Somerset Chamber of Commerce. Find out more here!
Huish is one of the best Sixth Form Colleges in the country for exam results and consistently ranks highly when compared to all other educational institutions for its students’ added value. This means that, whatever your level of achievement at GCSE or background, if you really want to succeed, we can help you achieve your choice of career development.
We have built up strong links with local organisations and employers to become a leading provider of Apprenticeships in Taunton and Somerset.
Somerset Council came into being on April 1 2023. The new unitary council brings together the services previously provided by the four district councils in Somerset (Mendip, Sedgemoor, Somerset West and Taunton, and South Somerset) alongside the services provided by Somerset County Council.
Somerset Council combines the strengths of the five authorities and provides a single clear voice for Somerset nationally and internationally. It gives clearer public accountability for services in the county and simpler access to them.
The council’s duties and services are managed by the elected councillors (known within the council as ‘members’) through its democratic structure.
In accordance with Government legislation, the unitary council has:
The Unitary Council of 110 elected members is responsible for deciding the democratic arrangements for the council, agreeing our policy framework and each year’s budget.
Somerset County Cricket Club was formed in 1875 and has played a pivotal role within the region ever since. As well as achieving success on the field we are also thriving off it. Our outstanding conferencing and events facilities make The County Ground the perfect choice all year round.
Summerfield is a long-established, multi-award-winning business based in Taunton, Somerset, and has been developing property for over 200 years. The traditional family-owned building firm was founded in 1823 and has since become a trusted name in both residential and commercial development across the South West.
From thoughtfully designed homes to high-quality workspaces, Summerfield creates characterful places with sympathetic styling and timeless craftsmanship.
Summerfield Homes, established in 2007, has built over 2,000 homes, with developments ranging from 10 to 300 properties. These developments combine sustainable construction with modern living, while offering some of the best locations across the South West. Every development is thoughtfully planned, and each home is tailored to complement its surroundings and bring communities together.
Summerfield Commercial has developed over 4 million sq. ft. of workspace throughout the South West, with well-known developments such as Blackbrook in Taunton and Westpark in Wellington. The company prides itself on providing the right space in the right place, whether that be a leasehold or freehold design-and-build option, or a flexible rental arrangement. Summerfield has a diverse portfolio of commercial properties, with over 160 tenants, ranging from local retail parades and modern offices to large industrial buildings and business parks.
With values aligned to supporting both the community and the environment, Summerfield has contributed over £6.1 million to charitable causes and local community projects, and has planted 1.1 million trees to help offset developments and enhance ecosystems in the South West.
The Restore Trust is a pioneering social enterprise dedicated to transforming lives and creating opportunities through education, skills training and employment support. Based in the South West of England, we work across a variety of sectors and collaborates with individuals, communities, and businesses to address societal challenges and unlock potential.
Each year, the organisation supports hundreds of people, including those facing barriers such as unemployment, involvement in the criminal justice system, or other forms of social exclusion.
With an innovative and holistic approach, The Restore Trust provides a diverse range of programs tailored to meet individual needs, from accredited vocational qualifications and employability skills to mental health support and mentorship.
The organisation operates with a clear vision: to empower people to rebuild their lives, gain independence, and contribute positively to their communities. It works with a network of employers to create real pathways into sustainable employment, ensuring that training directly aligns with workforce demands and industry standards.
The Restore Trust has achieved significant regional and national recognition for its impactful work, including awards for social innovation and partnerships.
It is a key player in driving inclusive growth, equipping individuals with the skills to thrive in key sectors such as construction, catering and hospitality, health and social care, and digital technology.
Its projects not only transform individual lives but also contribute to reducing reoffending rates and addressing skills shortages in critical industries.
As a trusted partner to local authorities, employers, and voluntary organizations, The Restore Trust continues to build its reputation as a dynamic and forward-thinking provider of education and support services.
Its commitment to social mobility and economic inclusion ensures it remains at the forefront of tackling some of the most pressing challenges faced by society today.
Suzanne Thompson, CEO of The Restore Trust, said: “I am thrilled for The Restore Trust to join the Somerset Chamber of Commerce as a strategic Business Partner as it aligns with our mission to support the community through collaboration and growth.
“Being part of the network headed up by David Crew, the MD of the Somerset Chamber of Commerce, will help is strengthen partnerships, access new opportunities and hopefully amplify and showcase the impact of the voluntary sector.”
Long-standing Chamber member, The Royal Bath & West of England Society, is the oldest agricultural society in the UK. It was founded in 1777 in Bath by a group of philanthropists led by Edmund Rack with the aims of encouraging agriculture, arts, manufacture and commerce.
The promotion of agriculture is and always has been at the heart of the society. From its home at the Bath & West Showground, the society continues to pursue its charitable objectives through an array of activities, projects and events; the most famous of which is the Royal Bath & West Show.
As well as this, the Society has a remit to offer awards, grants and scholarships for the promotion of agriculture and rural arts.
The Royal Bath & West of England Society’s other events include The Dairy Show, Grassland UK and the Field to Food Learning Day.
Throughout the year, a whole host of other events take place on the Bath & West Showground and an array of spaces, both small & large, are available for hire.
Find out more here.
A fresh chapter in education has begun across Somerset, as Bridgwater & Taunton College (BTC) and Strode College officially unite to form University Centre Somerset College Group (UCS College Group).
UCS College Group has one clear aim: to transform lives and communities through learning and partnerships.
Each BTC campus will become a college – Bridgwater College, Cannington College and Taunton College while Strode College will retain its name. University Centre Somerset, the group’s well-established higher education arm, remains a core part of this new, ambitious group.
Andy Berry CBE, CEO of UCS College Group, said: “This is a milestone moment for Somerset. We’re bringing together the strengths of each college to give local people more choice, better support, and more pathways to success. Whichever pathway students choose to take e.g. A levels, university or employment, UCS College Group will help them get there.”
UCS College Group will be one of the largest college groups in England placing Somerset firmly on the map as a beacon of excellence for further and higher education provision.
Weston College is an Ofsted outstanding college of further and higher education in Weston-super-Mare. It provides education and vocational training to nearly 30,000 learners across the country. The College is regarded as one of the top FE colleges in the UK and won both “College of the Year” and “Overall Further Education Provider of the Year” at the 2015 Times Educational Supplement Further Education Awards. It teaches a range of higher education courses through University Centre Weston, as well as 70 different apprenticeships from intermediate to degree-level.
Weston College’s mission is “creating brighter futures”, which means that we put our students at the heart of everything that we do.
Our values:
Our corporate aims include:
We provide access to the sort of healthcare that we want for ourselves and our families. We’ve been helping our members as a not-for-profit organisation since 1901. That’s quite a while now and, because we’re good at it, that’s all we do. Just health insurance. No distractions.
By partnering with like-minded individuals and companies, we offer groundbreaking personal and business health insurance policies that have truly revolutionised healthcare in the UK. From funding cancer drugs not readily available on the NHS, the first benefit of its kind, to being recognised by the World Health Organisation as leading in the development of new policies that reduce costs for our members.
Yeovil is a tertiary college serving its community in South Somerset and North and West Dorset. Our clear role is to support the development of social and economic prosperity for the whole community. As a tertiary college we will provide education and training pathways at all levels from entry to HE.
Your Eco is a multi-award-winning Certified B Corp™ and ISO accredited commercial scale renewable energy company specialising in solar PV and battery storage. Installing over 30 MWs in seven countries we understand your energy procurement needs in the pursuit of your net zero goals.
Founded in 2016 by Nick and Amanda Spicer, Your Eco is led by a high performing management team with over 20 years of experience in the renewable energy sector.
We operate across four offices in Bath, Bristol, Truro and London with a 20+ in-house team members. Our teams work across stadiums, supermarkets, NHS Hospitals and other critical infrastructure in the built environment.
With market leading quality and low voltage safe systems, we build bankable assets built for the future. Offering CAPEX, asset finance or 25-year fixed PPA rates we help you understand your energy usage now and in the future.
We have seen regional expansion, doubling turnover year on year since 2016. Our client list includes Virgin, Tesco, YTL, Wessex Water, University of Bath, Brabazon, BANES Council, Bristol Council, National Trust, Duchy of Cornwall, Network Rail, Balfour Beatty, Willmott Dixon, MDL Marinas, Breedon Quarry and and various high profile high net worth individuals who trust Your Eco for their sustainability needs.
Approved by Tesla, we have also entered battery storage, EV charging and carport design to meet our clients ever changing needs.
Working across Asia, the Caribbean, Africa and the UK, Your Eco is constantly pushing the boundaries of clean technology. From developing hurricane strength mounting, to developing a refrigeration cold store chain to support the legal fishing trade in a vulnerable fishing villages in the Congo, through to off grid energy resilience projects in the aftermath of hurricanes in the Caribbean and earthquakes in Nepal.
The scope of work highlights where the technology can be used as a force for good in the immediate impact and the ongoing rebuild of a disaster.
We are deeply committed to improving our sustainability as a business and are proud to have received both the ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 9001:2015 accreditation adding Armed Forces Covenant and B Corp in recent years.
Nick Spicer, the Founder and CEO of Your Eco, said joining Somerset Chamber of Commerce as a Business Partner aligned with the company’s mission to help businesses become more self-sufficient and decarbonise.
“By being part of the Chamber, Your Eco can further support commercial businesses in embracing renewable technology, which helps them lower their monthly expenses and take control of their energy needs. This partnership is a step towards promoting sustainable practices and supporting SMEs in achieving net-zero goals,” Nick said.
Join Somerset Chamber of Commerce to give your business a stronger voice both locally, regionally and nationally. Combined with local town chambers, we represent over 2,000 businesses across Somerset with a direct line to policy-makers at all levels.
