International Trade

• The proportion of businesses reporting increased export orders sits at 25% in Q1 2026, compared with 31% in Q2 2018    • There is a big split relating to the size of the business, with 23% of SMEs reporting increased orders, compared to 38% of larger firms. •

In response to the new UK-EU trade agreement announced yesterday, Ross McNally, Chief Executive and Executive Chairman of the Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the development as a step toward reducing post-Brexit trade barriers. “Barriers to trade do no-one any good. While full details are

Responding to the Bank of England’s decision this week to reduce the base rate by 0.25% to 4.25%, Hampshire Chamber Chief Executive and Executive Chairman Ross McNally said: “This is a step in the right direction, a cautious measure of relief at a time when

RSA Southampton recently hosted a discussion focussed on unlocking the devolution opportunity for Southampton at which Ross McNally, Chief Executive of Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, spoke. The current proposal is to establish a Mayoral Combined Authority across Hampshire, Portsmouth, Southampton and the Isle of Wight,

Responding to the global tariffs announcement from US President Donald Trump, Hampshire Chamber’s Chief Executive and Executive Chairman Ross McNally said: “The government needs to keep its negotiations with the US going, stay calm, keep a cool head and take a pragmatic approach. “Businesses in

Responding to the Spring Statement on 26 March 2025, Ross McNally, Chief Executive and Executive Chairman of Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “The Chancellor’s announcement of a £2.2 billion boost to defence spending plays directly into Hampshire’s strengths in advanced manufacturing, technology and engineering. “We

At the British Chambers of Commerce Driving International Trade Conference last week, the Foreign Secretary, David Lammy MP set out his vision for a new era of economic diplomacy, with the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) at its heart. This follows several reviews commissioned last

Vessels will soon use future fuels and plug into shipping ‘chargeports’ as part of UK’s new goals for shipping operators to reach net zero by 2050, part of the Government’s Plan for Change to make the UK a clean energy superpower Worst polluting vessels will

Hampshire Chamber of Commerce CEO and Executive Chair, Ross McNally, participated in the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Driving International Trade Conference 2025 on Thursday, March 20, in Central London. The conference was attended by over 400 businesses and more than 30 Chambers of Commerce