North and Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce

What North and Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce does

The North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce is a private, member-owned business support organization founded in 1916 (originally as the Preston and District Chamber of Commerce) and headquartered at Eastway Business Village in Preston, United Kingdom. It operates as one of 51 accredited chambers in the British Chambers of Commerce network, which collectively represents 75,000 UK businesses and over 5 million employees. The Chamber itself supports more than 1,600 member businesses across Lancashire, ranging from early-stage ventures to enterprises with over 30,000 employees.

Its service portfolio comprises four interlocking revenue streams: (1) tiered membership subscriptions (Foundation, Business, Global, Corporate, Strategic, and Xchange groups) granting access to networking, policy representation, and member benefits; (2) paid training courses and events including FAIB/Qualsafe-accredited First Aid, Mental Health, HR Xchange (partnered with Harrison Drury), Global Xchange (partnered with Irish Freight Solutions), and Skills Bootcamps; (3) meeting space rental at Eastway Business Village and the Farington Mill training venue; and (4) international trade services including export documentation (1,704 shipments processed) and trade policy advocacy. Operations are run on a RubiCRM-powered member portal handling directory, event booking, and member communications.

The Chamber is governed by a board of directors delivering over 500 years of combined business experience and led by Chief Executive Babs Murphy. It also operates the Preston Business Improvement District (Preston BID), manages the BIBAs business awards (since 2000), and runs the New Enterprise Allowance startup support programme (920 businesses launched since 2011). The organization holds BCC accreditation, Living Wage Employer status, and ICO data protection registration. Revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Name

North and Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce

Legal name

North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce

Website

https://lancschamber.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1916

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce is a 1916-founded, member-owned business support organization serving 1,600+ Lancashire businesses via tiered memberships, accredited training, networking events, export documentation, and policy advocacy, and it also operates Preston BID and the BIBAs awards.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Preston

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: Annual membership fees across multiple tiers (Foundation, Business, Global, Corporate, Strategic, Xchange Groups) providing access to networking, training, advocacy, and member benefits.
2. Training and Events: Revenue from training courses and commercial events including First Aid, Mental Health, HR Xchange, Global Xchange, Lancashire Economic Breakfast, and Chamber Connect networking events.
3. Chamber Meeting Spaces: Rental of meeting spaces at Eastway Business Village to members and external clients for business meetings and events.
4. Export Documentation Services: Documentation services for international trade including certificates of origin and related export paperwork. 1,704 shipments processed with export docs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The North and Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce is a member-funded business support organisation offering tiered membership packages (Foundation, Business, Global, Corporate, Strategic, Xchange), accredited training courses (First Aid, Mental Health, HR, International Trade), networking events (HR Xchange, Global Xchange, Lancashire Economic Breakfast, Chamber Connect), international trade documentation services, policy representation through dedicated committees, a member portal, and meeting space rentals at its Preston headquarters.

Product overview

The North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce is a membership-based business support organization offering a portfolio of interconnected services. The core offering includes tiered membership packages (Foundation, Business, Global, Corporate, Strategic, and Xchange) that provide access to training programmes, networking events (HR Xchange, Global Xchange, Lancashire Economic Breakfast, Chamber Connect), and business support services. The Chamber operates an online Member Portal powered by RubiCRM for directory access, event management, and member communications. Additional services include international trade support with export/import documentation, policy advocacy through multiple committees (Finance, Transport, Skills, Energy, Local Issues), the BIBAs awards programme, tender opportunities portal, and physical meeting spaces. The organization also runs training courses spanning First Aid, Mental Health, HR, import/export procedures, and soft skills.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BIBAs (Be Inspired Business Awards): The Chamber's signature business awards event started in 2000, entertaining over 25,000 people with guest appearances from celebrities
• Chamber Connect
• Global Xchange
• HR Xchange
• Preston BID

Products and services

• Chamber Membership Services
• Training and Skills Programmes
• Networking Events (HR Xchange, Global Xchange, Chamber Connect, Lancashire Economic Breakfast)
• International Trade Documentation Services
• Skills Bootcamp in International Trade
• Policy and Representation
• Member Portal (RubiCRM)
• Chamber Meeting Spaces
• BIBAs (Be Inspired Business Awards)
• Tender Opportunities Portal

Quantifiable outcome

• 920 new businesses launched through New Enterprise Allowance programme
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• British Chambers of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Chamber is part of a network of 51 Chambers of Commerce across the UK accredited by the BCC. The BCC conducts research and policy advocacy, sharing anonymised survey data with Government. The Chamber provides member email addresses to BCC for research surveys.
• Harrison DrurycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading HR law firm partners with the Chamber to host quarterly HR Xchange events. Provides expert employment law advice and training content for HR professionals.
• Irish Freight SolutionsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLogistics partner sponsoring Global Xchange international trade events. Introduces European services and ATA Carnet experiences.
• BrabnersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLegal firm sponsoring Lancashire Economic Breakfast events, featuring guest speakers and economic insights.
• Sustainable Energy Consortium (SEC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSEC addresses business energy challenges by connecting businesses with renewable generators. Over 100 businesses already benefit from SEC membership. The Chamber promotes SEC services to members.
• AO ArenaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner listed on Chamber website showing local business ecosystem connection.
• Blackpool and the Fylde CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner providing education and skills development. Chamber supports skills and recruitment initiatives with colleges.
• Code GalaxycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWebsite developer for Chamber and strategic member. Managing Director serves on Chamber board. Provides digital services and website development.
• CompleteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner. Managing Director Tom Smith serves on Chamber board.
• Eek MediaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner providing marketing and media services.
• Fox GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner. Associated with Fox Brothers group.
• GarrattsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner - Garratts insurance services.
• James BrearleyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner - financial services firm.
• LAL (Lancaster and Liverpool)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner - higher education institution.
• Park Hall HotelminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner providing hospitality services.
• Team LeylandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner. Director Mick Mayor represents Team Leyland on Chamber board.
• Sustainable Energy FirstcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner. Partnerships Manager Ben Beetham provides testimonial about Chamber value.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Cheshire West and Chester Chamber of Commerce: North West England accredited Chamber operating the same membership/trade/training model. Geographic neighbour in the broader North West business community with closely comparable scale and service mix.
• Lancaster and District Chamber of Commerce: Historically a separate local chamber in the Lancaster area, now part of a wider Lancashire ecosystem. Comparable local-chamber operating model serving overlapping Lancashire SMEs, with smaller scale and narrower geographic remit than the subject Chamber.

Direct peers

• Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce: Larger accredited North West Chamber offering the same model of tiered membership, export documentation, training, policy representation, and networking events. Adjacent geographic peer with directly comparable service portfolio to North & Western Lancashire Chamber.
• Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce: Regional accredited UK Chamber of Commerce serving Humber-based businesses with membership, training, international trade documentation, and policy representation. Direct comparable on operating model, scale, and geographic remit.
• West Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce: Northern accredited Chamber of Commerce with identical structure: tiered business membership, international trade services, training programmes, BIBAs-style awards, and policy advocacy. Closely comparable operating model at slightly larger scale.
• London Chamber of Commerce and Industry: Largest UK Chamber of Commerce offering the same suite of membership, international trade documentation, training, and policy services to its member businesses. Same accreditation framework (BCC) and same fundamental business model, differing primarily on scale and geography.
• East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce: Direct regional peer operating as an accredited Lancashire Chamber of Commerce serving East Lancashire businesses. Provides the same core mix of membership tiers, training, international trade documentation, and policy advocacy, competing for overlapping Lancashire SME members.

Broad incumbents

• British Chambers of Commerce: Umbrella network of 51 accredited UK Chambers including the subject company. While a strategic partner rather than a direct competitor, it provides overlapping policy research, national lobbying, and the Quarterly Economic Survey that member Chambers also leverage — so functionally adjacent in the same market.
• Federation of Small Businesses (FSB): National UK membership body representing small businesses and self-employed members. Competes for the same Lancashire SME members with a broader geographic remit, broader lobbying mandate, and larger member base, but a less regionally focused service model.
• Confederation of British Industry (CBI): UK-wide business membership organisation providing policy representation, networking, and business services to corporate members. Overlaps with the Chamber on policy advocacy and corporate member services but does not deliver local training or trade documentation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/lancschamber
• Facebookfacebook.com/lancschamber
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lancashire-chamber-of-commerce/posts/?feedView=all
• Instagraminstagram.com/lancschamber

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about North and Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce