Doncaster Chamber Members Reminded of Their National Impact

Last Wednesday, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) visited South Yorkshire to meet with Doncaster and Barnsley & Rotherham Chambers of Commerce, reinforcing the strength of the national voice available to local business members.

The Chambers welcomed senior representatives from the BCC's Policy and Membership teams — Anne-Marie Martin FCMI, Ben Martin, Hannah Kelleher, and Jonny Haseldine. The delegation met with the Doncaster Chamber Board and senior leadership to explore the full value of BCC Accreditation, before visiting Chamber Patron, Clarks Vehicle Conversions, to gain first-hand insight into how national policy decisions affect businesses on the ground.

The visit opened at a Doncaster Chamber Board meeting where BCC representatives observed how regional business leaders shape priorities and decisions that feed directly into the national agenda.

The BCC team then outlined how membership connects businesses to a powerful national and global network — one that represents 7.5 million employees across the UK. They presented the BCC's three-year membership strategy and shared updates on the key issues currently being championed in Westminster on behalf of businesses nationwide.

For Doncaster Chamber members, this means more than local support. It means being part of a movement that carries the voice of British business directly to government, while remaining firmly rooted in the opportunities and challenges of this region. Membership delivers a stronger voice in policy, access to international markets, and the connections needed to grow — both locally and globally.

A highlight of the visit was a tour of Clarks Vehicle Conversions with Group CEO Darren Lord and Managing Director Lindsay Atkins, long-standing Doncaster Chamber Patrons. Founded in 1985 by Alan Clark, the company has grown from a small local workshop into the UK's leading welfare vehicle conversion specialist, now employing more than 100 people in Doncaster. During the visit, the business shared its experiences directly with BCC representatives — raising pressing concerns around increases to the National Minimum Wage and rising energy costs. BCC representatives confirmed that these insights would be fed directly into national policy discussions, demonstrating exactly the kind of tangible, two-way engagement that membership of the Chamber network makes possible.

The day concluded with an intimate business dinner with representatives from both Doncaster Chamber and Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber coming together to explore how businesses across the region can maximise the benefits of strong regional collaboration and national connectivity. The occasion further demonstrated the close and enduring partnership between South Yorkshire's Chambers — united in ensuring that the voices of businesses in second cities and large towns are not only heard, but meaningfully reflected in decision-making at every level.