Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry has welcomed the final presentation from a The University of Huddersfield student consultancy team following a 16-week Group Consultancy Project with the Chamber.
The project gave students the opportunity to work on a live business challenge, while giving the Chamber fresh external insight into one of its most important priorities: how we strengthen member engagement, demonstrate value more clearly, and use data more effectively to support local businesses.
The student team worked closely with the Chamber throughout the project, combining research, analysis, communication and coordination. Their final presentation was well structured and professionally delivered, with clear team roles, strong project management and a practical focus on implementation.
A key theme from the work was that data is central to delivering value to members. The students explored how better systems, clearer processes and more consistent use of information can help the Chamber understand member needs, track engagement, and focus support where it can make the greatest difference.
The project also produced practical recommendations, including a sound system architecture and roadmap, consideration of the full member lifecycle, and a ranked set of possible solutions. Their use of tools, including LLMs, was thoughtful and transparent, balancing the needs of the client with the academic requirements of the project.
Neil Kendall, Chief Executive of Mid Yorkshire Chamber, said:
“This was a valuable and well-managed project. The students understood the problem, worked well as a team and brought fresh thinking to an area that is central to the Chamber’s future: how we use data, systems and relationships to deliver clearer value for our members. Their analysis was strong, their communication was consistent, and their final presentation showed real professionalism.”
The project also reinforced the importance of effective communication in business. One practical lesson discussed with the students was the value of brevity: fewer words, clearer slides and focused meetings. In business, time is money, and good communication helps people make decisions faster.
Mid Yorkshire Chamber is committed to building stronger links between business, education and the wider regional economy. Projects like this give students meaningful experience of real organisational challenges, while helping local organisations benefit from new perspectives, energy and structured analysis.
