10th December 2007
A merger has been agreed between Cumbria Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency to take effect early in 2008.
This move aligns CREA’s strong rural focus and delivery experience on successful projects, such as Distinctly Cumbrian, with the Chamber’s strengths in countywide coverage, member services, networking and representing the views of business, as well as delivery of business support. The Chamber represents approaching 1000 businesses, between them employing more than 40000 people countywide.
Bringing together the strengths of both parties, the resulting combined business will be a strong, independent organisation, focussed on the needs of businesses, in all sectors, around the county. The new organisation will be even better placed to serve and support the needs of businesses in the future.
Chamber Chief Executive, Rob Johnston, says “This is a strong positive move for business in Cumbria. The Chambers strong position around the county with offices in Carlisle, Whitehaven, Kendal and Barrow combined with CREA’s in Kendal and Penrith, ensures the new organisation will be truly representative of and understanding of business needs and able to assist and represent at a local level and beyond. The combined strengths of the two organisations will enable us to build on CREA’s tremendous ability to deliver projects and the representation, networking and commercial strengths of the Chamber”.
CREA Chief Executive, Bob Clark, adds “ The timing of this merger is absolutely right coinciding with Government reviewing delivery of business support. Cumbrian businesses will benefit from the bringing together of member benefits from the Chamber with business support projects delivered by CREA”.
Steven Broomhead, NWDA Chief Executive is fully supportive of the move, saying, "I'm delighted by the news of this merger, and particularly by the proactive approach being taken by Cumbria Chamber and CREA. This is a really positive move for business support in the county and absolutely in line with NWDA's drive for simplification."
Cumbria Vision Chief Executive, Richard Greenwood, comments “Cumbria Vision supports the merger of Cumbria Chamber of Commerce and CREA. We recognise that there are too many agencies delivering business support and economic regeneration in Cumbria and this is a good start to rationalisation, whilst employing the excellent business connections of the Chamber and CREA’s delivery experience, particularly in the rural areas.”
Notes to editors:
- For more information contact Suzanne Caldwell, Cumbria Chamber, on 0845 2260040/07872 644678 or Lynda Nineham, CREA, on 01768 891555.
- Cumbria Chamber of Commerce and Industry is a not for profit company limited by guarantee, owned by its members for the benefit of members. Our aim is to help the business community throughout Cumbria to grow and prosper. The Chamber serves businesses around the county out of offices in Carlisle, Kendal, Barrow and Whitehaven.
- See www.cumbriachamber.co.uk for more information on Chamber services.
- Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency Limited is a not for profit local enterprise agency servicing the needs of businesses operating from two sites, Kendal and Redhills near Penrith. Its aim is the regeneration and strengthening of the rural economy creating sustainable employment. It currently runs a number of projects and services some of which are available to rural businesses countywide.
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