Welcome to the Chamber Web Site – please do take time to browse through it and have a look at the many and varied services that we are able to offer to our members to help their businesses grow during these very challenging times.
Many local businesses join the Chamber to take advantage of the numerous networking meetings that we run throughout the year which gives them the opportunity to make those all important new business contacts. Each month we run one or two networking breakfasts and recent guest speakers have included Richard Harrington MP for Watford, Graham Taylor the current Chairman of Watford Football Club and former England Football Manager, Martin Weale who is a member of the Bank of Englands Monetary Policy Committee and Tom Vosa Chief Economist Clydsdale Bank . On average over 80 people attend our meetings, please do have a look at our events section of the web site for details of forthcoming events. We also run a Chamber Luncheon Club, a series of Business Seminars and a regular programme of Sports and Social Events- in other words something for everyone.
The Chamber is however very much more than just a networking organisation and the web site gives full details of the other services which we have to offer. For example many local companies use us to assist them with their export work with Chamber members receiving generous discounts on charges. So if you are already exporting and are seeking help in finding new markets or are thinking of exporting for the first time please do give us a call.
A well trained work force has never been more important and the Chamber is able to provide a wide range of training courses through Partners in Business who also offer generous discounts to Chamber Members. We can also offer computer training, executive mentoring for management teams in order to sharpen performance and free one to one business advice so please do think of the Chamber for any training needs that your company might have.
The Chamber delivers an Inward Investment service, led by our manager, Sanjay Purohit. Watford Chamber Of Commerce aims to ensure that your business has a smooth and efficient transition to our town and West Hertfordshire. Our vision is to highlight Watford as an outstanding business destination. We work in close partnership with Watford Borough Council, local private sector partners and now have extensive experience of working with companies and individuals that are looking to relocate their business - whether from overseas or indeed other parts of the UK. Recent succeses include the relocation of an IT business from USA and an e-security company, originally from Sweden.
One of our aims is to make Watford an even safer and more pleasant town to visit and in this connection we run Watford Business Against Crime which is a membership scheme with its aim being to reduce retail crime and anti- social behaviour throughout Watford Town Centre. For further details of the scheme and how it may be able to benefit your business please contact Angela Connolly at the Chamber.
We are also looking to reduce congestion and act on climate change and Watford Commuter is the town’s business network green travel plan. It is a key strategy to reduce the level of traffic in the town by encouraging Watford businesses to adopt more environmentally sustainable travel and transport practices. There really are alternatives to using the car especially in these times of high petrol prices so please do have a word with our travel co-ordinator Doug Brodie to see how he can help your business. We are also working with some of the top carbon emitters in the town to see how we can make Watford an even healthier place in which to live, shop and work.
The Chamber is delighted to be working with around 30 local charities and schools. We help with fundraising schemes, world of work days at local schools, business mentoring , jobs fairs and also offer help with writing CVs and improving interview Skills of the young and the not so young.
I do hope that this has given you an idea of just some of the services which we have to offer to local businesses schools and charities. If you feel that the Chamber could be of help to your business please do get in touch with us on 01923 442442 or email me There has never been a better time to be working with your local Chamber and our six hundred members.
Roger Gagan Chief Executive Watford & West Herts Chamber of Commerce