About Us

Profile Raising

Cumbria is a huge county, so it isn’t always easy for businesses to meet each other and build relationships. Part of our role is to help that happen.

GrowthTwenty Events

GrowthTwenty exhibitions are invaluable in helping to raise our profile. Enquiries have enabled us to establish relationships and secure orders as a direct result of contacts we’ve made at the events.Stuart Edgar – Carlisle Business Supplies

Our GrowthTwenty events bring thousands of business people together, providing the opportunity to meet and sell to potential customers, source high quality suppliers, and explore ideas.

They run in rotation for a full day at venues across the county, offering exhibition space, networking and a varied programme of business workshops led by experts in their field. Topics range from cost management and dispelling HR myths to developing talented leaders, building corporate identity, and how to grow your business.

We started GrowthTwenty with support from the European Regional Development Fund but the initiative has proved so successful that the events now run commercially without subsidy. All costs are covered by sponsorship plus fees from exhibitors.

The workshop sessions at these events has shown me how Growth Hub support could really help my business grow.Nicola Jackson, Arista Associates

That’s a model the Growth Hub follows elsewhere. Where possible, we move activities away from dependency on funding into the commercial arena. We’re keen that businesses value and pay for the support they receive – and this in turn benefits commercial providers.

So, for example, much of the training and networking activity fully funded through earlier schemes such as Defra’s Rural Growth Network pilot has now moved to a commercial footing.

Family Business Network

Another success story is the Growth Hub’s Family Business Network, now thriving without public funding and being delivered on our behalf by Sue Howorth through The Family Business Network Ltd.

A core element of the offer is InSight events through which family businesses share insights and talk candidly about the business and family business challenges, often with a company tour. They’re also a great opportunity to network outside the family with others facing similar challenges. InSight events to date have included contributors such as Lakeland, Warburtons, Holker Group. McLures and SN Group.

Family business is absolutely vital to the health of the Cumbrian economy. In setting up the Family Business Network our aim was to nurture and develop family businesses, and help them realise their potential.Suzanne Caldwell, Chief Executive, Cumbria Chamber of Commerce

Get in Touch

To access or find out more contact Cumbria Chamber:

Email: info@cumbriachamber.co.uk

Tel: 0844 257 8450