Foreward from the Chairman

Janet Bailey - Chairman
Staffordshire Business & Environment
Network, April 1st 2009

There can be no doubt about the difficulties facing Staffordshire Businesses following the “Credit Crunch” of 2008 and the ongoing recession.

Staffordshire Business & Environment Network sees its role as helping local businesses through these very difficult economic times by concentrating much of its efforts, for 2009, on cost reduction.

The 2009 programme of events will, for example, have a definite focus on reducing energy costs and on looking at renewables as a cost effective alternative. In addition the savings to be made in adopting an Integrated Management System and those resulting from the re-use and recycling of packaging will also be examined.

Our aim is to ensure that, wherever possible, SBEN members emerge from what is now undoubtedly a global recession, in good health. As such they will be able to take advantage of the opportunities which will undoubtedly arise following the inevitable upturn in the economy.

Despite the difficulties already outlined a steady stream of environmental legislation still continues to impact on local businesses. In an effort to give members a “voice” and the opportunity to raise concerns on wide ranging issues such as REACH and WEEE the network has recruited a representative of the North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce & Industry to its Organiser’s Group. With the help of Jane Gratton, from the Chamber, we have already been successful in having a speaker from Brussels at our 2008 Annual General Meeting. In addition we now have a conduit for SBEN members to be able to raise their concerns on future European Legislation directly with the policy makers themselves, in Brussels.

During the coming year we will continue to work with our partners such as Staffordshire University, Keele University, Groundwork Stoke-on-Trent, North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Midlands Environmental Business Company, the Business Brokers, Business Link and Advantage West Midlands to ensure we have access to a wealth of expertise to support our members.

As in previous years, and I would remind everyone that the history of SBEN goes back to 1992, our members are at the heart of everything we do. Activities continue to be driven by member’s requirements and there is steerage through our Management Team and Organisers Group. These focus bodies ensure that the Network provides what business wants not what individuals might think they want!

As ever the organisation is most certainly not a “talking shop”.

As Chairman, I would like to thank all those who have helped make the Network the organisation it is today. I have no doubt that the coming twelve months will be every bit as difficult as the last. However, with the involvement and support of such a dynamic Business Network I am sure that members can look to the future with more confidence than most.

Staffordshire County Council as ever deserves particular thanks for its substantial and continued support.

Janet Bailey
Chairman
Staffordshire Business & Environment Network
April 1st 2009