Foreword from our chairman: -

Staffordshire Business & Environment Network is now into its sixteenth year and continues to refine its performance to meet member's needs. The work carried out by the organisation is perhaps even more relevant today than back in 1992 when the Network was first formed. Increasing environmental legislation, affecting all businesses, continues to provide difficult challenges to managers and proprietors alike. These challenges can, however, also offer up enormous opportunities for businesses to increase competitiveness, profitability and to diversify into other areas. The Network is dedicated to ensure that these opportunities are not missed by local businesses situated in the County of Staffordshire.

Supply chain pressures remain on the increase and many organisations are now being asked to detail their environmental policy, impacts and aspects and management systems when supplying to other companies. Accreditation to ISO 14001 is now frequently seen as a pre-requisite to being a first tier supplier to many industry sectors, particularly the automotive sector. Stake holders and investors have high expectations of companies and can now monitor performance through Corporate and Social Responsibility Reports. The Network can support local businesses in the 14001 accreditation process through its many and varied working partners. In addition training courses and expertise are available for C.S.R. Reporting.

Following the Stern Review public expectation is now higher than ever. As a result failure to comply with environmental legislation can be even more costly to reputation than fines or damages.

A stream of legislation such as the REACH Directive, WEEE Directive and massive increases in the costs of energy continue to impact on businesses. Increases in demand for energy, from rapidly expanding economies such as China and India, coupled with reducing supply particularly from the North Sea will only serve to drive up costs. SBEN can assist with Resource Efficiency initiatives, and has previously worked with partners such as Groundwork Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire University on such projects. Free Resource Efficiency Reviews can also be provided to qualifying companies through its partnership with Envirowise.

To ensure that local businesses stay fully informed of developments, Staffordshire Business & Environment Network provides a varied programme of events dealing with up to the minute topics. Over the coming calendar year we have 16 separate events planned all of which offer unrivalled quality and value. In addition we will co host events with partner organisations including Staffordshire University, North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce, Envirowise and Midlands Environmental Business Company.

The Network continues to work closely with many external partners enabling us to tap into a wealth of expertise to provide businesses with the support required to deal with the areas outlined above.

At the heart of our Network is the participation of our members and the networking opportunities that exist for them. Activities are driven by member's requirements and there is involvement through our management team and organisers group. This is no talking shop!

At a local and regional level, we remain in contact with current issues and best practice through numerous partnerships. These include Keele and Staffordshire Universities, Groundwork, Envirowise, the Business Brokers, the local Chambers of Commerce, Businesslink, Business Enterprise, Business Initiative, the Environment Agency and Advantage West Midlands.

As Chairman, I would like to thank all those who have helped make the Network the dynamic organisation it is today. The coming twelve months will no doubt be just as challenging as the last, but with the level of involvement and support we have, I believe we can look to the future with confidence and enthusiasm.

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

Janet Bailey
Chairman
Staffordshire Business & Environment Network
April 1^st 2008