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 from across the UK and globally.
It featured a keynote address by Foreign Secretary, David Lammy MP, in which he announced most-welcome growing partnerships with Chambers in UK and globally emphasising greater economic and trade ambition.
The conference underscored the importance of international trade for British economic growth. Aligning with Hampshire Chamber’s strategic focus on boosting international trade through collaborative partnerships with global Chambers, Ross McNally was able to explore fresh strategies for strengthening global trade and expanding the trading horizons of Hampshire businesses and priority sectors.
There was much discussion around the necessity to ensure trading finances are right to optimise international trade growth. Additionally, the value of business to business high service ethic in working with global markets like the USA was strongly evidenced by business speakers. The power of AI and digital transformation in supporting international business engagement was highlighted. Finally, the conference benefited from insights into how to navigate successfully the often complex regulatory frameworks of growing strategic markets.
The BCC Director General, Shevaun Haviland, urged the Government to negotiate a new settlement with the EU to better support British businesses as well as advocating for stronger business ties with USA and other high-growth global markets.
Looking ahead, it was announced that BCC will be hosting a delegation of leading British businesses to Washington, accompanied by Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds MP, where they will meet with Ambassador Mandelson. This mission aims to further foster international trade relationships and open new avenues for British enterprises to thrive on the global stage.
About Hampshire Chamber of Commerce
Hampshire Chamber of Commerce is the independent voice of local business across the county and one of the largest regional business networks in the UK. With a strategic vision to ‘unlock Hampshire’s potential’, Hampshire Chamber brings together the combined influence, strength and expertise of the county’s three former major chambers. It works with over 2,000 individual firms spanning all sectors and sizes of business. Member services include training, advice, international trade documentation, events, networking opportunities and lobbying to policymakers on issues affecting business. Hampshire Chamber’s business network is designed to help any employer to grow and thrive irrespective of their stage on the enterprise journey.