I WOULD like to take this chance to thank everyone involved with the Chamber’s Autumn Business Expo that is taking place today (Thursday, October 11) at the Three Counties Showground in Malvern.

Today we are set to welcome 120 exhibitors and more than 800 guests to the event, whom I hope will enjoy the entertainment on offer at all stands, and taste a free sample of the two counties in the popular Food and Drink Producer Zone.

The morning will begin with the Networking Breakfast, which will allow attendees to socialise over a breakfast banquet before hearing from Mark Stansfeld, Chairman of giffgaff and Chairman of Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). Telling us more about his experience in business and his previous roles including Commercial Director at O2, Mark will cover a wide variety of topics and discuss how businesses can take advantage of these advancements.

From his role as Chairman of Worcestershire LEP, Mark will share what is happening strategically that will impact local businesses, including; infrastructure, skills support, Brexit and the new 5G test bed that is coming to the county shortly.

We are also delighted to welcome Mo’s Bro’s, as seen on BBC’s Dragons' Den, to deliver a free seminar later in the morning. Mo's Bro's began in-house making its own formulations of beard oils, balms, butters and waxes with natural ingredients. Three years later the business turns over £1.3 million, selling in 78 counties and has amassed more than 300,000 online customers.

I would like to invite guests to join the Chamber and Hewett Recruitment at their stands (stand 48 and 54) to enjoy Prosecco and cake at 2pm, to celebrate the Chamber’s network reaching more than 1,500 Members.

Coverage of the speeches and photographs from the day will be available to view on the Chamber’s Facebook page at Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, or on our Twitter @HW_Chamber. Don’t forget to join in the conversation by using the hashtag #HWExpo.