Chamber wins national BCC award for Excellence in International Trade

East Midlands Chamber has scooped the Excellence in International Trade Award from the British Chambers of Commerce.

The award, sponsored by DHL, recognises the Chamber’s success in handling export documentation for clients. In the 2015/16 financial year the Chamber processed 22,804 documents which accompanied goods valued at £529m.

Scott Knowles, Chief Executive at East Midlands Chamber, said: “I am delighted for the Chamber and particularly for the nine members of staff who make up our international trade team that we have won this award. It is due recognition of their expertise and hard work and and also recognition at the highest level of the portfolio of services we offer to members.

“Processing paperwork for shipments around the world is something that all our staff have to train for and be qualified to do and the fact that their expertise has been recognised with this award shows just how good they all are. I collected the award, but it is theirs, not mine.”

The Chamber was praised by the judges for its expertise on trade links and in-depth knowledge of its market. In the past three years, it has introduced a series of changes including increasing staff on the international trade team, streamlining electronic documentation procedures and engaging with local business leaders on its International Trade Steering Group, which has increased the profile of the international trade team and the profitability of the Chamber.

Francis Martin, President of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “Recognising the growing importance of international trade to the UK’s economic performance, East Midlands Chamber has listened to the needs of its members and is providing them with expert help in exporting overseas.

“The Chamber has invested significantly in its international trade team, building high levels of expertise to underpin and further develop the services it provides. The Chamber is a well-deserved recipient of this award.”

Shannon Diett, VP Marketing, DHL said: “This award recognises the vital role Chambers provide in championing international trade. DHL shares this passion and is delighted to see East Midlands Chamber taking a leading role in encouraging, facilitating, and giving businesses the confidence they need to succeed on a global scale.”

Six Chamber members, each of them winners in the East Midlands Chamber Business Awards and regional winners in the BCC awards programme, were shortlisted for national accolades at last night’s awards ceremony at the Brewery, in London.

They were Trent Academies Group for Education and Business Partnership, Hayles Leicester for Commitment to People, Cathelco for Export Business of the Year, Purpose Media for High Growth Business of the Year, Shakespeare Martineau for Excellence in Customer Service and Penny Hydraulics for Best Use of Technology.

Scott added: “Each of our shortlisted members would have made worthy national winners and it was disappointing that none of them received the accolade which we think they deserved, but they were up against some very strong competition and I congratulate all the winners.”