Each event will focus on a specific sector in Surrey with the primary goal of facilitating connections between Surrey-based institutions and business to create regional innovation projects. Surrey County Council will also be working with The Department for International Trade to promote these events to overseas companies to demonstrate that Surrey is a place which supports business and drives growth through innovation.

The first event on Thursday 11 Feb showcases organisations which lead the way on COVID-19 recovery in Surrey and is headlined by Ben Osborn, MD of Pfizer UK.

The impressive host of speakers scheduled to give us an insight into the challenges and opportunities faced in the COVID-19 pandemic including;

• Ben Osborn, MD of Pfizer UK
• Rt Hon Kwasi Kwarteng MP, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
• Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, House of Commons Health and Social Care Select Committee
• Stewart Wingate, CEO at Gatwick Airport
• Becky Coffin, Director of Communities and Sustainability at Heathrow Airport
• Suzanne Rankin, CEO of Ashford & St Peters Hospital

This Zoom event on Thursday 11th February 14:00 – 16:00 would benefit any local businesses and organisations who work in and around the life sciences and pharmaceutical sector.

Registration is free please use the link below.

Registration here.

Are you an employer? Share these free courses with your staff

94% of employees would stay at a company longer if it invested in their career development.

Help boost team productivity and motivation by upskilling your employees with free, high-quality digital, numeracy and soft skills courses.

All courses on The Skills Toolkit are free and available online, so your teams can learn flexibly from home at a time that suits them.

Learn about:

• practical maths
• computer essentials
• personal growth and wellbeing
• professional development
• business and finance
• digital design and marketing
• computer science and coding

For more information about this campaign theskillstoolkit.campaign.gov.uk

and explore the courses here: Explore courses

National Apprenticeship Week takes place annually and aims to shine a light on the amazing work being done by employers and apprentices across the country.

Federation of Small Businesses, will also be celebrating the launch of the new Enterprise M3 Skills and Apprenticeship hub which will provide the business community with support and guidance to help them grow and develop the skills they need.

The new Skills and Apprenticeship hub represents a significant investment in our region, to mark this occasion we are delighted to announce that our keynote speaker will be Gillian Keegan MP and Minister of State for Apprenticeships and Skills.

This special event is in partnership with the Association of Learning Providers Surrey and NE Hants.

FSB are encouraging all apprentice employers, managers, apprentices and stakeholders to please register now. If you are currently considering employing an apprentice, this unique event can answer all your questions.

So make it a date, make a brew and learn how the Skills and Apprenticeship hub can help you and just what a difference an apprentice can make to your business.

Register here.

Do have any apprenticeship vacancies or are you looking for an apprentice?

Join and follow the @JCPinSurrey on Twitter for the Surrey Apprenticeship online fair via Twitter on 9th February, starting at 10 am.

If you have any apprenticeships on offer or are looking for an apprentice, the opportunities would need a closing date no earlier than 12th February. email: [email protected]

Details required:

1. Your hashtag is any
2. Detail's of the apprenticeship (college/employer or both)
3. Closing date of apprenticeship: No earlier than 12th February.

To summarise:

Event: Surrey Apprenticeship Fair

Platform: Twitter

Hashtag: #SurreyApprenticeships

Date: 9th February 2021

Time: 10.00 am onwards

The Government has announced a Business Support Package for the January Lockdown:

• A one-off Closed Business Lockdown payment
• Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed) 5th January 2021 onwards
• Additional Restrictions Grant

Eligible businesses who were paid the Local Restrictions Support Grant for the period 5th November to 2nd December will have received an email.

All those that have correctly responded will be automatically paid the Closed Business Lockdown Payment and the Local Restrictions Support Grant (5th January 2021 onwards).

Payments will be made in 7 working days from the 22 January 2021.

More information can be found on the business grant pages on Runnymede Borough councils website: www.runnymede.gov.uk

Eligibility and information on all Grants can be found on the Government website .

Use the support checker tool to see if you are eligable to any funding www.gov.uk/business-coronavirus-support-finder

Surrey Chambers of Commerce continue to support businesses through regular events and webinars plus regular networking coffee mornings.

If you are looking for support and advice during lockdown, or you are preparing for post Brexit visit: Surrey Chamber of Commerce events

Join us on our social media sites, where we will be posting regular updates on our Twitter , LinkedIn and Instagram www.instagram.com/business_runnymede/ accounts.

Using social media has become important tool for success this year, I've seen some really inventive ideas and ways of engaging with customers although doors may be closed.

Come and say hello and follow us! We are happy to share your posts and profiles.