Three of the region’s leading accredited Chambers of Commerce have come together to launch the Wessex Chamber Alliance, a new strategic partnership designed to provide a strong, coordinated and representative voice for business across the Wessex region.
Bringing together Business West, Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Somerset Chamber of Commerce, the Alliance has been established as discussions around devolution and future governance arrangements gather pace across the South West.
The partnership will ensure that the views and experience of businesses are embedded in conversations about economic growth, infrastructure, skills, investment and long-term prosperity. 
Representing thousands of businesses across the wider Wessex economy, the Alliance will work collaboratively with government, local authorities and other regional partners to help shape a prosperous future for the region. It will provide evidence, insight and business intelligence to inform policy and decision making while championing the interests of employers of all sizes and sectors.
The Alliance’s priorities will include developing shared business priorities for the region, responding collectively to consultations and major initiatives, supporting economic growth and competitiveness and ensuring businesses have a meaningful voice as future governance structures emerge.
A joint statement from Douglas Ure, Chief Executive of Business West, Ian Girling, Chief Executive of Dorset Chamber of Commerce, and David Crew (pictured, left), Managing Director of Somerset Chamber of Commerce, said:
“Devolution presents a once in a generation opportunity to shape the future of the Wessex economy. Businesses create jobs, attract investment, develop skills and generate prosperity in communities across our region, so it is essential that their voice is heard as plans develop.
“The Wessex Chamber Alliance has been created to provide a constructive and coordinated business voice that can work alongside government, local authorities and other partners. Our ambition is to ensure that employers are involved in shaping regional priorities from the outset and that decision makers have access to real time business insight grounded in the experiences of firms operating across the region.
“Our role is not to duplicate existing structures but to bring together the collective expertise, reach and influence of the Chamber network to support sustainable economic growth and help unlock the full potential of the Wessex region.”
The launch is accompanied by an open letter from the three Chambers calling for business to have a formal and meaningful role in the development and governance of any future Wessex devolution settlement. The letter argues that devolution can only deliver its full potential if business is embedded in decision making from the beginning rather than being consulted after key decisions have already been made.
Employers across the region continue to face challenges including planning delays, infrastructure constraints, skills shortages and barriers to investment. The Alliance believes addressing these issues successfully requires the practical insight of the businesses that experience them every day.
The open letter calls on local authorities, prospective devolution partners and Government to ensure business has a clear and influential voice in shaping the future of the region.
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.
