Entrepreneur UK attends British Chambers of Commerce Global Annual Conference

Entrepreneur UK join business leaders, policymakers and industry figures at the British Chambers of Commerce Global Annual Conference as proceedings are underway in London, with the focus set on delivering growth across the UK economy.

The annual gathering brings together senior figures from across business and government to discuss the state of UK enterprise and the wider global trading environment. This year’s conference is expected to cover a range of topics including competitiveness, investment, innovation and international trade, as businesses continue to navigate a complex economic backdrop.

As the event opened, delegates began arriving from across sectors, including corporates, SMEs and industry bodies, with early conversations reflecting ongoing pressures facing businesses around costs, skills and market uncertainty.

Rachel Reeves is among those speaking at the conference, where attention is expected to centre on growth, productivity and the conditions needed for businesses to expand in the current economic climate. he main themes centre on taxes, Andy Burnham and incentives for growth. Much of the discussion is set against a backdrop of uneven economic performance across sectors, with some industries continuing to stabilise following recent disruption while others adapt to tighter financial conditions and shifting demand.

Trade and international expansion remain key conversation starters, particularly for businesses looking to navigate regulatory complexity and access new markets. The role of business support organisations is expected to feature throughout the day as firms assess how to scale beyond domestic markets. Alongside this, innovation and technology are anticipated to be central points of discussion, with artificial intelligence, automation and digital infrastructure increasingly shaping how businesses operate and grow. At this stage of the conference, discussions remain ongoing, with further sessions and speaker contributions expected throughout the day.

Robert Begbie, CEO of Commercial and Institutional at NatWest, and Michael Hayman, Chair of the British Chambers of Commerce, discussed the challenge of delivering growth. Hayman argued that while the UK has successfully fostered a strong start-up culture, greater attention is now needed to help scale-ups grow and succeed. Begbie emphasised the importance of creating the right conditions for business growth, including policies that support expansion and long-term investment.

Entrepreneur UK will continue to report from the conference as it develops.