Brief History of the Chamber

Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCI) was founded in 1813 – making it the oldest in the UK – although its roots go back to 1783 when a commercial committee was formed to “watch over and conduct the public interest of the town and the neighbourhood.”

Over the following years it played a key role in the growth of British industry and, just as today, allowed its members to meet with important national and international figures. In June 1857, a special meeting was addressed by Monsieur Ferdinand de Lesseps, concerning “the proposed ship canal across the Isthmus of Suez”, while later that year missionary and explorer Dr David Livingstone visited the Chamber to explain the advantages his patronage offered to commerce.

The Chamber also prides itself on being at the forefront of innovation. In 1867 members pressed for the adoption of decimal coinage and weights and measures – over 100 years before pounds, shillings and pence were taken out of circulation – and later backed the creation of trades unions, with the Chamber Council saying it was “impossible to deny the right of working men to combine for their own just interest.”

The first edition of the chamber’s monthly journal was published in 1903. In the same year, the organisation became “incorporated” under Companies Act.

By strenuous efforts the membership had by this time risen to 390 and as its income increased, so the Chamber extended its usefulness to the manufacturing and mercantile interests of the city. By 1909, the membership of the Chamber passed the 1,000 mark.

The organisation’s reputation as a key player in the city grew throughout the 20th century. The National Exhibition Centre developed from an idea by Sir Robert Booth, a BCI director and the scheme was jointly launched with the city council in 1970.

Now the Chamber has developed into a business support organisation fit for the 21st century. It is now in a position to offer advice and support across all business sectors; provide training to improve the skills of the city’s workforce and help to regenerate some of the most deprived areas of the city.