Chartered Accountant Dyke Yaxley has been supporting our business community for more than a century and is one of the companies marking the impressive milestone in 2022 of being a Shropshire Chamber of Commerce member for 25 years or more.

Dyke Yaxley joined the Chamber on January 7th, 1997, became a Patron at the earliest opportunity and has always been a staunch supporter of our campaigns, training programmes, events and many networking opportunities.

Keith Winter, a Consultant with Dyke Yaxley, has served as a Director of the Chamber since 2008 and is also a former President. We asked Keith for his thoughts from a company perspective on the benefits of being a Chamber member.

He said: “We are a big believer in the Chamber, what it does for the local community, individuals and companies, but also what it achieves regionally and nationally - getting the voice of Shropshire heard all the way to Westminster.”

Being a member

“Dyke Yaxley joined all those years ago because we thought the Chamber offered a lot of good training courses and networking opportunities. We also felt we had a corporate responsibility - because we earned our living within the county we felt we should be giving something back and being involved with the Chamber was a way of doing that.

“Networking has always been extremely important to us and when the breakfast clubs started we joined from Day One. Networking gives us a voice to exchange thoughts and ideas with local, regional and national companies. I’ve long believed that you always learn something by getting out and meeting your peers and other like-minded people.

“Being a Chamber member gives us profile as a company and the Chamber has been an integral part of Dyke Yaxley’s growth. We have acquired clients as a result of membership and the connections we make give a valuable insight into how other companies operate. We look at what they are doing and are always willing to be adaptable if we pick up new ideas.

“As a keen member, we always try to participate in events and training and we have staff in the 18-35 age membership group - something else which is of benefit to our company.”

Being a Patron

“We became a Patron as soon as the scheme started, seeing it as an ideal opportunity to develop ideas and relationships further with people who thought much the same as us about the Chamber and Shropshire. They have the same interests and goals as us and, again, a depth of experience we can always learn from.

“Chamber Patrons regularly talk to each other, help each other whenever possible and it’s another vital opportunity for valuable networking.”

Advice to new businesses

“The Chamber offers the opportunities for businesses to grow, develop, train staff, get themselves known and put themselves in a position to learn and get valuable advice from others - whether they be a one-person company or a firm with multiple staff. As a start-up, it’s a great way of getting involved with other like-minded people.

“Joining the Chamber gives access to some great training courses and other packages offered through membership.

“There are about 10 other benefits available to members with things like AA cover, health insurance, a legal helpline and HR advice - which is probably more important for small firms as larger companies are more likely to have their own HR department and health and safety people in place. All these benefits are available through the Chamber as part of the membership.”

For more information about Dyke Yaxley, call Shrewsbury 01743 241281, Telford 01952 216100, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit the website at https://www.dykeyaxley.co.uk/