CHAMBER NEWS
Business insight key to successful devolution
Responding to No10’ s plans to hand Mayors a greater share of locally generated tax revenue, Kate Shoesmith, Director of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said:
“ Putting more decision-making closer to local economies can help unlock growth. But it must be focused on the practical barriers businesses face every day; from skills and transport to infrastructure and planning.
“ The acid test will be whether firms in communities across England, both within and outside strategic authorities, see stronger conditions for trade, investment and productivity.
“ This can only happen if business insight is built into local decision-making from the start, not an afterthought when the main decisions have already been made.
“ As a place-based network, Chambers are ready to play their part and contribute to making devolution a positive success. They are rooted in their economies and communities and can turn real-time business intelligence into practical growth solutions.
“ It is vital that every part of the country benefits from these changes. Mayoral Strategic Authorities can be powerful
engines for delivery where they have the expertise, and accountability to succeed.
“ But around half of England still sits outside these arrangements, and they cannot be left behind. The next phase of devolution must work for mayoral and nonmayoral areas alike.
“ And while England is in focus for today’ s announcement, we must apply the same principles across the whole of the UK.
“ Chambers can help ensure that happens; giving businesses everywhere a strong voice in local growth plans, so that devolved funding truly delivers growth in every postcode.”
Paul Britton, Chief Executive of Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce, which represents businesses across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Swindon, said:
“ We welcome greater clarity about what additional powers, funding and freedoms will become available for devolved areas. But‘ yet to be’ devolved areas, such as the Thames Valley, which supports jobs, suppliers and prosperity across the whole of the UK should not be put on the back burner while administrative structures are being agreed.” John McCabe, Chief Executive at the North-East Chamber of Commerce, said:
“ We welcome today’ s announcement as a clear commitment from the new Prime Minister to continue transferring more powers and funding from central government into the regions and nations of the UK. That’ s the fundamental principle of devolution and, as a former mayor, Andy Burnham clearly gets it.
“ Today, income tax generated by people from Berwick to Barnard Castle is retained in Whitehall for London-based leaders to decide what to do with it. That has to change. More of the wealth created in our region should be retained here and invested according to local priorities.
“ The next step is for mayors to work closely with business and other partners to agree on how best to use the new funds at their disposal, ensuring the benefits of good growth are felt across the regions they represent.
“ Specifically on business rate retention, we hope this is the first step in a wider, far-ranging review of this outdated tax on business.”
Remembering Ian Smith, Immediate Past President
It is with immense sadness that Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce announces the death of its Immediate Past President, Ian Smith.
Ian had been closely involved with the Chamber since 1982, giving more than four decades of dedicated service to the organisation and the wider Thames Valley business community. Over this time, Ian played a significant role in supporting the Chamber’ s development and championing the interests of the region’ s business community.
Having been active on the Reading Chamber Council for nearly a quarter of century, Ian joined the main board of the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce( TVCC) in 2006 and in 2010 was appointed Group President, a post he held for the next eight years, during a period of great change for the Chamber. He was instrumental in driving that change and resetting the direction of travel of the Chamber.
On stepping down from the role of President, as Immediate Past President, Ian remained actively involved on the Board, despite suffering ill-health that
Ian Smith
increasingly limited his ability to be present at board meetings. Even through his illness, he stayed remarkably himself- steady, quick with a joke, never once asking for sympathy. He carried it quietly, the same way he carried everything, and it never once eclipsed who he was to the people around him.
Ian brought to the Chamber a considerable wealth of knowledge and experience. His wise counsel, sound judgement and thoughtful contribution were deeply appreciated by fellow Board members, colleagues and all those who had the privilege of working with him.
In recognition of his exceptional and longstanding contribution, Ian was awarded the coveted Honorary Life Membership of TVCC. Honorary Life Membership represents one of the Chamber’ s highest distinctions and is reserved for individuals who have demonstrated exceptional and sustained commitment to the Chamber and its work.
His commitment to the Chamber, together with his warmth, integrity and generosity of spirit, will be remembered with great affection and gratitude.
Everyone at the Chamber extends their deepest sympathies, thoughts and prayers to Ian’ s wife Kate, family, and friends at this very sad time.
6 Autumn 2026