Staff at Prospect Research learnt a new skill last week as they were put through their pottery paces by their colleague, Fiona Haygreen.

Fiona, who has been an Account Executive at Prospect Research since 2007, was a recipient of the Prospect Research 'Curiosity Fund' in 2009, which is more >>

Active 8 IT would like to take a fresh approach to all Chamber Members IT needs by announcing the following exclusive offers:

A FREE Initial Consultation/Site Visit.
Where Active 8 IT's expert staff will fully evaluate the Software and Hardware you have, offer guidance and more >>

More manufacturers and exporters should be taking advantage of one of the fastest growing economies in the world, according to Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce.

Recently released manufacturing figures for June show that total manufacturing output increased by 4.1 per cent in June 2010 more >>

If you have been following this series, from FCG Consultancy, by now you will have added a new dimension to make Brainstorming more productive. But, having gathered the necessary information and mentally digested it, what do you do next? Jonathan Wainwright explains.

Before I describe more >>

Housebuilder and developer Larkfleet Group has shown its commitment to sustainable energy by installing solar photovoltaic (PV) panels to provide electricity for its head offices in Bourne, Lincolnshire.

The panels produce electricity from daylight, generating useable power even on cloudy more >>

Are you looking for a challenge? Then why not register for CLIC Sargent's fundraising abseil at Cambridge Fire Station on Sunday 19 September?

The exhilarating fundraiser for the UK's leading children's cancer charity will involve abseiling 80ft down the fire tower at Cambridge Fire more >>

Homebuyers purchasing a property from Bourne-based housebuilder and developer Larkfleet Homes (www.larkfleethomes.co.uk), part of the Larkfleet Group, can receive advice from an award-winning financial advisor to help smooth the way to more >>

Cambridgeshire's hidden treasure Chilford Hall Vineyard and Conference Centre in Linton will play host to the biannual Wedding Fair on Sunday 3 October 2010 from 11am-4pm. Admission and parking is free and the fair will give local couples and their families the opportunity to meet local and national more >>

Local PR and communications experts, Media Matters will be running a series of internet marketing training sessions from September 2010 until March next year, demonstrating how businesses in Peterborough can use the web to their advantage.

The Media Matters team will explain in clear, more >>

Chilford Hall Vineyard and Conference Centre in Linton, Cambridgeshire is to host a Pink Rose Ball on Saturday 20 November to raise a minimum of £35,000 for Cambridge Breast Cancer Research Unit at Addenbrooke's Hospital.

Money raised from this ball will support the surgical research more >>

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is warning taxpayers in Cambridgeshire to be vigilant following reports that thieves are making phone calls pretending to be the taxman.

The fraudsters inform taxpayers they are due a tax rebate, and ask for their bank card details over the phone. They then more >>

If you followed FCG Consultancy's idea from last week, you will have added a new dimension to Brainstorming, to make it more productive. Now that you have gathered information specific to your market and the issue you want to solve, what do you do next? Jonathan Wainwright explains. more >>

Peterborough based executive coach and Chamber member, Keith Nelson, has just authored a book titled Your Total Coach: 50 Ideas for Inspiring Personal and Professional Growth. It guides ambitious coaches and managers who want to advance their coaching skills through 3 tiers of more >>

Ferrier Pearce have won their first international award for marketing communications, following their win earlier this year of the PIPA Communications Specialist Award sponsored by the Financial Times. Additionally, three of their clients have recently won awards for employee communications more >>

Overview of new EU Sanctions measures

On 26 July 2010 the Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union (EU) adopted a package of further restrictive measures against Iran, including in the areas of trade, financial services, energy and transport. For more information you should more >>

Business coach and author, Keith Nelson, has published a new book titled Your Total Coach: 50 Ideas for Inspiring Personal and Professional Growth.

The book is designed for anyone thinking seriously about becoming a coach or advancing their coaching skills. It's for both professional more >>

Recognition Express has recently launched an eye catching online product catalogue that is proving to be very successful for the company.

The company now only provide their catalogue to customers online in order to reduce costs and cut out unnecessary paper. The company prides themselves more >>

Angela Joyce has been appointed as the new Principal of Peterborough Regional College. Having previously served for three years as Deputy Principal, Angela will be building on the many strengths of the College. With a turnover of £25 million and over 6,000 students attending the College annually, more >>

For the last two years fire safety specialists Newflame has been enjoying the benefits of the 'GreenRoad' system in their fleet of vehicles. With increasing amounts of corporate manslaughter and duty of care legislation, companies need to do all they can to protect their staff from the dangers of more >>

Peterborough's Monarch Automotive has recently given a preferential account to the charity Sense on their 13 fleet vehicles.

The car and commercial vehicle service and maintenance company offered this service to Sense as a result of Monarch's rapid turn around on one of Sense's vehicles. more >>

Indesit Company's is celebrating after a successful night at HR Magazine's prestigious HR Excellence Awards held recently in London.

The team beat off stiff competition to pick up the 'Best Talent Management' Award for its innovative 'Thinking for Business Success' (TFBS) programme, which more >>

Cross Keys Homes has been shortlisted in the corporate sustainability category of The Sustainable Housing Awards 2010, organised by Inside Housing magazine and its sister publication Sustainable Housing.

This awards scheme focuses on the best 'green' social housing projects in the UK and more >>

C.UK Security joined in the fun at the recent Family and Friends Day hosted by Brookfield Construction at the new Peterborough City Hospital PFI.

Friends and family were given a sneak preview of the new hospital, which is now in its final stages of construction, ahead of its official more >>

Active8IT will be celebrating its fifth birthday throughout September. During the past five years the company has grown and expanded rapidly and now boasts 70+ clients who are constantly supported and expertly advised on all IT related issues.

Active8it Ltd's Managing Director, Lee more >>

Cambridgeshire-based charity, the Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (ASBAH), are set to receive a fantastic fundraising boost, after The Freemasons' Grand Charity awarded them a grant £40,000 for medical research into spina bifida and hydrocephalus.

The Provincial Grand more >>

Brainstorming can be very one dimensional. Minds go blank and participants can feel awkward about contributing. So just how can you and the team create winning ideas, to inspire and motivate, in these difficult times? FCG Consultancy's Jonathan Wainwright reveals the secret.

The more >>

What would you do if you were sitting in the European Parliament alongside President Jerzy Buzek for a day?

On October 14, the British Chambers of Commerce is giving over 700 entrepreneurs an opportunity to visit the European Parliament for an event that will put your business views at more >>

A recent report from the Building and Social Housing Foundation (BSHF) is noted as saying that for the first time the relative size of the owner occupied sector has declined and the private rented sector (PRS) has increased significantly. If recent trends persist the PRS will be larger than the more >>

Business owners are risking substantial problems for their business partners and families by failing to make a Will. Research has highlighted that a large number of business owners have not made Wills. This applies to almost two thirds of Britons.

Serious complications can arise in a more >>

The press has recently campaigned against Broadband companies who practice 'overselling' promising speeds that are never realistically achieved. Whilst the press concentrate on the affect on the residential market, it's common with the SME market too.

As Broadband becomes a critical part more >>

The Chamber's Learning and Skills Sector recently held a Primary Careers event at Ely St Mary's Primary School and Ely St John's Primary School to educate year five and six in careers, employability and university.

The event saw a range of activities including team building exercises. more >>

The Britten Partnership has recently held a successful Health and Social Care conference for 120 students across Huntingdonshire schools.

The conference, supported by Aim Higher, was held for year 9 and 10 students across Huntingdonshire. It enabled students to explore career options more >>

HealthyBody, HealthyMind has launched a new Ultimate Weight Loss Package into its already successful business. The package includes weight loss coaching, natural nutritional products, as well as full body composition analysis and hypnotherapy.

The Ultimate Weight Loss Package has the key more >>

Kier Eastern is proud to have been named as National Green Champion in the 2010 Green Apple Awards for the Built Environment and Architectural Heritage.

The awards, which were launched in 2000, have become a prestigious annual event, recognised and supported by the Environment Agency, the more >>

Peterborough-based marketing and pubic relations consultancy Smye Holland Associates has been appointed to handle marketing communications for Petainer, a specialist plastics packaging technology business.

Petainer designs and manufactures recyclable PET (PolyEthylene Terephthalate) more >>

The Chamber has launched a letter-writing campaign over the importance of upgrading the A14 in Cambridgeshire after Transport Ministers refused to meet with local MPs to discuss the issue. Jonathan Djanogly MP had requested a meeting to outline the concerns of his constituents with Ministers, but more >>

The Chartered Management Accountants have recently moved to new offices in St John's Innovation Centre, Cambridge, as part of its expansion plans.

PSF Accounting already runs a successful practice in Stamford and, with the Cambridge office now established, staff are beginning to build a more >>

A marketing consultancy in Cambridgeshire has launched a free advice pack for start-up and small businesses.

Emerald Frog Marketing in Ely have compiled the pack, entitled 'Low Cost, High Impact Marketing', to give businesses ideas of ways to promote their business on a shoestring more >>

Ben Duncan Garden Design was set up towards the end of last year, its ethos being one of sustainable design whilst maintaining a modern contemporary feel. The company specialises in delivering gardens that work in harmony with their surroundings and use recycled, reclaimed or local materials in more >>

It has been two years since regional law firm Birketts moved into the heart of Cambridge's professional services district, increasing its regional coverage and complementing its already successful practices in Suffolk and Norfolk.

Since it opened, the firm has embarked on a steady more >>

Andrew Webster Ltd celebrates 20 successful years in business. Led by Andrew Webster, the firm has grown into a thriving, successful and international business with over 20 staff. The business offers accountancy and tax planning services to a wide range of local clients, including several of more >>

Ayudar have launched a telephone service for Conservative party; reviewed numbering schemes for the AA, carried out pan-European tender projects for several multinational companies as well as rolling out a £500m mobile phone contract on behalf of a major network across Europe.

Sales are more >>

From June people working on the Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge Business Park and St John's Innovation Park (the Travel Plan Plus (TP+) area) have had access to use a FREE pool bike scheme allowing them to borrow an electric bike for local business trips, leisure purposes such as lunch time more >>

Cambridge United Football Club is proud to announce the launch of their charitable Community Trust that will engage with 10,000 children to encourage them to live healthier lives and become better citizens.

The charitable trust will run separately from the Football Club and currently has more >>

The Trustees of the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity have announced the appointment of four new members of their Board.

The new Trustees are: Mark Lloyd, CEO of Cambridgeshire County Council; Kate Kirk, Freelance writer and current volunteer for the Charity and Edward Coe, a consultant in more >>

Quinns Irish Pub in Cambridge opened its doors for a week of free coffee mornings.

The hotel gave away free coffee in exchange for a donation in order to raise as much money as possible for Whizzkidz; a charity that gives disabled children and young people the independence to enjoy an more >>

Domino Printing Sciences has just announced excellent half-year results and the creation of 60 new jobs at its Bar Hill headquarters, with a further 90 at its other locations worldwide.

The latest results showed a 17 per cent increase in sales for the first half of the year to 30 April more >>

Carr Management Consultants, a new member to the Chamber, has signed a new distributor agreement for the supply and installation of My.N Business Management Software from Accounting Office based in Swansea.

The business software suite is modular based, fully integrated, easy to use, easy more >>

REE is delighted to confirm a series of free resource efficiency workshops will be taking place in the Autumn to support small businesses in Cambridgeshire.

The three workshops will be held at the Wyboston Conference Centre in St Neots and will help small businesses tackle a number of key more >>

City businesses who would like to expand or who have issues they need to resolve are being invited to attend new monthly surgeries being organised by Peterborough City Council Leader, councillor Marco Cereste.

more >>

Peterborough Soup Kitchen is inviting over 300 people to 'sleep rough' for one night in November - to bring in badly needed money and raise awareness of the city's high number of homeless population. The charity - which serves food to the homeless six nights a week - is to organise its huge Sleep more >>

Bourne-based contractor FE Peacock (www.fepeacock.co.uk), part of the Larkfleet Group (www.larkfleetgroup.co.uk), is working with new client The Abbey Group Cambridgeshire Ltd to more >>

Bourne-based housebuilder and developer Larkfleet Homes (www.larkfleethomes.co.uk) has sold one of its latest properties as part the Homebuy Direct scheme on its Old Laundry Site development in Bourne, Lincolnshire.

HomeBuy more >>

Bourne based builder FE Peacock, (www.fepeacock.co.uk), part of the Larkfleet Group (www.larkfleetgroup.co.uk), has completed work on a much needed affordable housing development more >>

A new programme to engage and support Peterborough businesses has been launched by economic development company, Opportunity Peterborough. The Peterborough bondholder scheme is free of charge and open to all local companies.

In addition to an established, successful networking calendar, more >>

Bourne-based housebuilder and developer Larkfleet Group recently gave 90 local school children from Bourne Abbey Primary School a tour around the company's Sustainability Demonstration House in order to teach them about sustainable living.
The timber-framed three-bedroom house, located next to more >>

Chilford Hall Vineyard in Linton, Cambridgeshire is celebrating after its Chilford Hundred Sparkling Rosé 2004 was awarded the top accolade of Wine of the Year 2010, as well as the Spear Trophy for best sparkling wine and a Gold Medal at the East Anglian Wine Growers Association 2010 awards. more >>

Public sector finances may be feeling the squeeze but there are still contracts to be won and local businesses will be given top tips on winning them at this year's Business Focus event.

For a second consecutive year Peterborough's popular business-to-business exhibition will incorporate more >>

The latest webinar in the NatWest Business Knowledge Series is designed to help you manage your cash flow and trade with confidence. This complimentary 30 minute webinar is ideal for SMEs that are affected by late payments and concerned about wasting valuable time pursuing slow paying customers. more >>

Downturn, redundancy, pay freezes, recession are not words that inspire and motivate staff. So in times such as we have now, FCG Consultancy's Jonathan Wainwright explains how to make sure your staff are focussed, positive and getting a buzz out of working for your organisation.

The more >>

Rural communities across the East of England could be enjoying access to super-fast broadband for the very first time with new funding announced today. The East of England Development Agency (EEDA) has secured half a million pounds through the Regional Development Programme for England (RDPE) to more >>

Construction company FE Peacock (www.fepeacock.co.uk), part of the Larkfleet Group (www.larkfleetgroup.co.uk), has 'retrofitted' an existing bungalow close to its Bourne more >>

Andrew Webster Ltd today celebrates 20 successful years in business. Led by Andrew Webster, the firm has grown into a thriving, successful and international business with over 20 staff. The business offers accountancy and tax planning services to a wide range of local clients, including several of more >>

A marketing consultancy in Cambridgeshire has launched a free advice pack for start-up and small businesses across the region.

Emerald Frog Marketing in Ely have compiled the pack, entitled 'Low Cost, High Impact Marketing', to give local businesses ideas of ways to promote their more >>

All Market Access Partners (EU Member States and business organisations) are encouraged to be more active in awareness raising of existing tools. Free online information for SMEs is available a click away but only a few SMEs know that they exist. This can save SMEs much time and money which could more >>

The UK's leading car supermarket and driving force behind the newly-launched Motorpoint Pro-Cycling Team, recently paid a visit to Peterborough, as part of the Halfords Tour Series cycle race, and city based charity, the Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus were there to meet them and more >>

Chancellor George Osborne called this the 'unavoidable Budget' and has unveiled a tough package of measures. We now have a clearer idea of his public expenditure cuts and tax changes.

Key announcements include:

The present 28% corporation tax rate for larger companies is to be more >>

On Sunday 12 September you are invited to take part in a picturesque five mile walk which will give you a behind the scenes look at 10 of the University's colleges.

It is a great family day out and benefits Arthur Rank Hospice Charity and Press Relief - the community fund run by the more >>

Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce has reacted to Chancellor George Osborne's emergency budget, labelling the speech 'disappointing' for businesses in our region.

John Bridge OBE, Chief Executive of Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce, said:
'This was a disappointing speech for more >>