THE county's wide range of businesses was highlighted when Somerset Chamber of Commerce hosted two high profile business leaders – Shevaun Haviland, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, and Lord Mark Price, former Government Minister of Trade.

They were guests at the chamber’s annual business leaders’ dinner at The Castle at Taunton, an event sponsored by Higos Insurance Services Ltd and attended by more than 40 directors and leaders from businesses across the county.

Lord Price, a former managing director of Waitrose and deputy chairman of the John Lewis Partnership, gave an insight into his business life and said satisfied customers were a company’s best advert, while happy and productive staff were what really mattered to a firm’s success.

Ms Haviland, who also has a background in business and government, said the chamber network’s focus was on economic growth and acknowledged the pressures currently facing businesses, from increased to labour shortages and rising energy bills.

She said the British Chambers of Commerce was in constant contact with the Government, lobbying on behalf of members, adding: “There is no doubt we are facing significant economic issues.

“The challenges that lay ahead of us are building by the day.

"Two-thirds of firms expect to raise their prices and inflation is the top concern.

"Interest rates are set to climb further in November and energy bills will now rocket again for many in April.

“This is unsustainable. Government must work with business to address three main issues, to show it recognises the challenges firms face.”

Ms Haviland spent two days in Somerset visiting key businesses, including the Hinkley Point C site, Yeovil's iAero Centre and Leonardo Helicopters.

Emma Rawlings, chief executive of Somerset Chamber of Commerce, said: “It was a real pleasure to have Shevaun with us and to show her just some of the incredible businesses we have in Somerset.

“It is important we work closely with our business community as it enables us to feed back to Shevaun and her team at the British Chambers of Commerce who, in turn, have a direct line into Government.”