Business is done better together
Devon & Plymouth Chamber of Commerce was set up more than 200 years ago to serve, promote, help and be the voice of business.
We do lots for businesses like yours.
Our mantra is to help you Connect, Grow and Succeed.
If you are a small business, you do not have to do it alone. We can help you in good times and bad, connecting you to the people who will support you.
If you are a medium-sized business, we have the tools to help you scale and start working on the business, rather than in it.
And if you are a large enterprise, we can help you take off – trade around the world, form influential relationships and lobby for changes that make a real difference to our region’s infrastructure and business climate.
We help you form important connections through our excellent events programme and networking opportunities – introducing you to the people and businesses that will help you grow.
No matter what size you are, we can help you be part of something bigger.
- British Chambers of Commerce accredited
- Campaigning on your behalf
- Building a bigger, better network for the benefit of all
Make connections who help you grow
From high-level introductions to prospects and industry leaders to networking with local contacts, the Chamber network can connect your business with the right people.
One of the first lessons in business is understanding that no matter how good you might be at what you do, you cannot hope to succeed alone.
Devon & Plymouth Chamber do not just facilitate networking though. We take care to understand your needs and help you make the connections to take your business to the next level.
You may have been part of member organisations before that left you feeling disappointed – the networking felt awkward and forced, the coaching not designed with you in mind and little to show for the time and money you invested.
We are different because our organisation is uniquely centred on your needs and regularly improved through our members’ feedback.
That starts with introductions, relationships and connections – the beginning of any business journey to success.
We can help you build the relationships that put you in front of potential clients & customers, open new markets, give you extra expertise to grow, potential new suppliers and make you part of a supportive network that fosters camaraderie even in your darkest hours.
Events of value
Our events are much more than simply networking.
From our annual showpieces such as the Devon Business Show and the Chamber Business Awards to networking opportunities and insightful speakers, your Chamber membership gives you access to a regular programme of valuable business events.
A tremendous amount of time, thought and energy goes into making sure our events are truly valuable to you from our dedicated events team.
They can help build your knowledge, coach you as a business owner and put you in front of regional and strategic leaders.
Training and skills
We can help you access training and skills programmes delivered by our team, by our strategic partners and through accredited British Chambers of Commerce courses.
The world’s most successful entrepreneurs did not succeed by accident. They invested in learning – training themselves, their teams and their businesses to do better.
Our training opportunities are suitable for small, medium and large businesses.
We provide support for those of you just starting out, upskilling for your employees and international trade training for businesses expanding across the world.
We also have a number of strategic partners who excel in training with industry leaders in apprenticeships and education, including City College Plymouth, Plymouth Marjon University, Inspire, South Devon College, Exeter College, Exeter University, Petroc College and the Enterprise Solutions programme at the University of Plymouth.
Business support when you need it
We can help you build your businesses and be a shoulder to turn to when times are hard.
We offer one-to-one support from our membership team and can help you navigate the myriad of options available to you, connecting you to the best support for your business.
We work alongside the Heart of the South West Growth Hub, who provide targeted business support.
The Chamber is an approved gateway organisation for the Kickstart fund – the scheme for hiring employees fully funded by the Government.
Your membership also gives you access to an enormous library of template documents to help support your business, including HR, Legal, Health & Safety and Accounting & Tax.
Accessing finance and grant funds
Our strategic partners include regional leaders in finance – both in raising capital, accessing funding and accounting & tax.
You can also access the Chamber Finance Finder platform, powered by our partners at Swoop, which simplifies and speeds up the funding process, matching member businesses with the right funding solutions across loans, equity and grants.
If you qualify for grant support, particularly in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, we will be able to identify what you are eligible for, and walk you through the process.
Promoting you, so you reach more
The Chamber has an extraordinary reach through multiple media channels.
We can promote your business through our weekly newsletter reaching thousands of targeted inboxes, dedicated email campaigns, our thousands of followers on social media as well as our well-established media relationships and opportunities to speak at our events.
The quarterly Chamber Profile magazine is distributed to hundreds of workplaces across Devon & Plymouth and is a prime opportunity to get your business seen.
International Trade
From advice, support and export documentation to influencing business policy at home and abroad, Devon & Plymouth Chamber can open up a world of opportunity for your business.
Our International Trade team Nick Byrne and Claire Mahoney are fully accredited and trained to help you expand beyond our borders.
Campaigning and lobbying for you
We campaign on your behalf and represent you in Westminster. We fight to create the best possible conditions for you to do business in.
Our chief executive Stuart Elford and our Board of Directors lead our daily lobbying effort. We are your voice in the corridors of power and we campaign on a daily basis to make sure your voice is heard.
Your feedback is regularly communicated to Government and national bodies as part of our bid to build the best possible climate for business in Devon.
We regularly hold events with regional and national leaders where you will hear what measures are being taken to help your business, with the chance to ask the questions.
Crucially, we are also an active member of the British Chambers of Commerce – the national industry body with a direct line to ministers and national decision makers.
We are about People, Planet and Purpose
Devon & Plymouth Chamber of Commerce is built around three core principles that support our vision for a truly green Blue & Green Economy that we can all thrive in.
People is about inclusive recruitment, employment, skills, education and training.
Planet is about achieving Net Zero, working towards Sustainable Development Goals, clean growth and transport.
Purpose is about doing business that has positive social impact, creates employment and sustainable growth.
Where these intersect is ‘good business’, which is proven to be productive and profitable, and the Chamber intends to be at the heart of that
