On 6th December 2022, over 40 representatives from local Chambers of Commerce, local authorities, local Business Improvement Districts, universities and the South London Partnership gathered at the delightful Townhouse, part of Kingston University’s prestigious development, who were also hosts of the event.
Collaboration sat at the heart of the event. Following a research study, carried out earlier in the year, led by the academic teams from Roehampton and Kingston Universities, working with both Merton and Kingston Chambers of Commerce, the purpose was to review best models of business engagement in post global pandemic times.
Attendees heard from Mamata Parhi from Roehampton University about the aim of the research to propose a revised and sustainable business model for all those who engage with businesses. The research methodology included a mix of secondary data research and a primary survey of businesses in five South London boroughs – Merton, Kingston, Richmond, Sutton and Croydon.
What were the main findings? The study concluded that there was a mismatch of local and regional services to support businesses and the demand for them. The study also addressed changes in behaviours since the Covid pandemic and found that the demand to access information online had increased substantially. Other findings included a lack of awareness by businesses on the services on offer and recommended a radical new way of thinking and prioritising models for business engagement.
Although there were ten clear recommendations in the report (executive summary attached) the event attendees agreed there were four key recommendations for action:
1. An increase in partnership working
2. More focus at a borough level
3. Improvement in communications
4. Better reach to include diversity of engagement
Diana Sterck, CEO of Merton Chamber of Commerce, concluded “It was so good to see so many representatives from different organisations come together to address shared issues. The recommendations are critical to sustainable business models and I look forward to working in collaboration to deliver new ways of business engagement.”