British Chambers of Commerce#Chamber Awards
{{Short description|Representative organization in the UK}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2017}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = British Chambers of Commerce
| image =
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| abbreviation = BCC
| formation = {{start date and age|1860}}
| logo = File:British Chambers of Commerce logo.svg
| extinction =
| status = Not-for-profit organisation
| purpose = Chambers of commerce in the UK, and UK business
| location = Petty France
London, {{postcode|SW|1}}
United Kingdom
| region_served =
| membership = 80,000
| leader_title = Director-general
| leader_name = Shevaun Haviland
| main_organ =
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| website = {{official URL}}
| remarks =
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The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC, formerly known prior to 1996 as the Association of British Chambers of Commerce{{Cite news |title=the British Chambers of Commerce |url=https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/british-chambers-of-commerce |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20220503090203/https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/british-chambers-of-commerce |archive-date=2022-05-03 |access-date=2025-01-18 |language=en}}) is the national representative body of 53 chambers of commerce across the UK. The chambers represent 50,000 businesses, which the BCC claims employs 6 million people.{{Cite news |last=Isaac |first=Anna |last2= |date=2023-10-08 |title='Our CEO has chancellors on speed-dial': Martha Lane Fox, British Chambers of Commerce president |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/oct/08/our-ceo-has-chancellors-on-speed-dial-martha-lane-fox-british-chambers-of-commerce-president |access-date=2023-10-08 |issn=0261-3077}}
History
The organisation was founded in 1860 as the Association of Chambers of Commerce of the United Kingdom, following a 1859 meeting of the leaders of the Yorkshire Chambers of Commerce at the Social Science Congress in Bradford. During the 19th century, the organisation lobbied regarding a range of issues, including intellectual property law, transport, bankruptcy law, and tariffs, and promoted adopting the metric system. By 1900, it had more than 50 MPs as honorary members. In 1919, the name was changed to the Association of British Chambers of Commerce. Post-World War 2, the organisation lobbied for the UK to join the European trade area.{{Cite web |title=ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE {{!}} London Metropolitan Archives |url=https://search.lma.gov.uk/scripts/mwimain.dll/144/LMA_OPAC/web_detail/REFD+CLC~2FB~2F016?SESSIONSEARCH |access-date=2023-10-08 |website=search.lma.gov.uk}}
In 2016, the director-general of the organisation, John Longworth quit due his support of Brexit, when 60% of BCC members supported EU membership.{{Cite news |last1=Ratcliffe |first1=Rebecca |last2=Syal |first2=Rajeev |date=2016-03-07 |title=EU referendum: John Longworth resigns as commerce boss over Brexit debate |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/mar/06/john-longworth-resigns-as-commerce-boss-over-brexit |access-date=2023-10-08 |issn=0261-3077}}
In modern times, the BCC has been regarded as less prominent than its rival, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).{{Cite news |last=Pratley |first=Nils |date=2023-04-26 |title=If the CBI is off the pitch, hand the captain's armband to the British Chambers of Commerce |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/nils-pratley-on-finance/2023/apr/26/cbi-british-chambers-of-commerce-martha-lane-fox |access-date=2023-10-08 |issn=0261-3077}} In 2023, the organisation set up the Business Council as a rival to the CBI, which had faced a crisis following sexual harassment and assault allegations.{{Cite news |last=Sweney |first=Mark |date=2023-06-05 |title=New business lobby group launched as CBI faces crucial vote |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/jun/05/business-council-lobby-group-launched-cbi-faces-crucial-vote |access-date=2023-10-08 |issn=0261-3077}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website}}
{{Economy of the United Kingdom}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:British Chambers Of Commerce}}
Category:Foreign trade of the United Kingdom
Category:Chambers of commerce in the United Kingdom
Category:Organisations based in the City of Westminster