Appointment strengthens Chamber’s collaboration with Citizens Advice

The appointment of Sean Jackson represents a strategic move to strengthen connections between the business community and Citizens Advice, with both organisations recognising the mutual benefits of closer collaboration.

As head of membership at the Chamber, Sean is uniquely positioned to bridge the two sectors and help Citizens Advice deepen its engagement with local businesses.

"The Chamber and Citizens Advice dovetail together perfectly," said Sean. "One of Citizens Advice's strategic objectives is to engage business more, and as a Chamber, we can help do that; it means I'm able to add value by steering the organisation's strategy whilst also gaining insight into what's happening on the ground in Sandwell and Walsall."

The partnership is already delivering tangible results. Citizens Advice Sandwell and Walsall recently joined the Black Country Chamber of Commerce as a member organisation, marking a new phase in their relationship. Since then, the organisation has been actively participating in Chamber networking events and becoming an integral part of the Chamber's community activities.

For Sean, the appointment offers both professional development and a broader perspective on the challenges facing people and businesses in the region.

"It's important to see what's happening on the ground and understand some of the struggles people face. That gives me another perspective to support those in business and also those who want to start their own business. Citizens Advice provide vital services and there's real value in understanding both sides of that journey."

A key part of Sean's role on the board will be feeding back intelligence to the Chamber about Citizens Advice's work in the area. This includes monitoring intervention statistics, identifying hotspots where demand is highest, and understanding trends that can inform policy recommendations and support strategies.

"It's about understanding what's happening: the statistics, the interventions, and whether we're seeing increased demand in certain areas," he said. "That information can help shape how we recommend support and the conversations we need to have."

The appointment comes at a time when many people across Sandwell and Walsall are struggling with rising costs of living. Citizens Advice provides crucial support to individuals and families navigating financial pressures, debt, housing issues, and other challenges. By strengthening its connections with the business community through the Chamber, the organisation hopes to reach more people who need help and better understand the economic pressures affecting local workers and entrepreneurs.

The Black Country Chamber of Commerce represents businesses across Sandwell, Walsall, Dudley and Wolverhampton, providing networking, support and advocacy for the region's business community.