The Wirral Chamber of Commerce became the first UK Regional Chamber to launch an AI Academy for local businesses, an innovative solution to bring a product like this to SMEs. Here's how they turned member uncertainty into competitive advantage - and why other Chambers are taking notice.

1. Background When AI started making headlines, many small businesses across the UK had the same reaction: curiosity, concern, and a big question mark. What does this mean for us? How do we even begin? AI felt out of reach. It seemed like something for tech giants or digital natives - not for small teams trying to keep the lights on. There was a lot of uncertainty, and even fear, about what AI might mean for people’s roles and the future of work.

The Wirral Chamber of Commerce decided to lean in and find out how to make a difference. They knew their members - from sole traders to growing firms - were facing pressure to adapt, often with limited time, tight budgets, and teams juggling multiple roles. But they also saw an opportunity: what if the Chamber could be the one to help businesses build confidence and capability in AI?

That idea became the Wirral AI Academy, powered by Pair.

2. The challenge

Change the Wirral’s business community perception of AI. They believed that if businesses had the right support, they could turn fear into confidence and see real, practical benefits. The goal: make AI feel less like a buzzword and more like a useful tool anyone can use.

3. The solution

A Regional Chamber branded Pair platform: The Wirral AI Academy, powered by Pair. A partnership between The Wirral Chamber of Commerce and Pair. A hands-on programme with a simple promise: we’ll help you adopt AI confidently and we’ll do it together. More than 40 businesses from across industries joined straight-away: from wholesale and healthcare to education and creative services.

The Academy focused on real use cases, not tech jargon. People from over 12 different industries, learned how to use AI to speed up admin, improve decision-making, and lighten the load on overstretched teams. It wasn’t about turning everyone into data scientists - it's about adopting a new way to work.

“If businesses can become more efficient we can generate more money so therefore we bring more money into our local economy we bring more money into our local people and to our local communities.” - Kylie, hi-impact.

4. Early results Just one month in, the results are already speaking for themselves.

• Pharmapac slashed the time it takes to complete investigations and SOPs from three days to just three hours. That’s not just a win on paper—it means more time for higher-impact work.

• Staff across companies are reporting more confidence and better decisions.

• Regal, still early in its journey, is discovering new ways to use AI each week. They’re creating space for open conversations, where team members share tips and wins.

• Some participants have even landed promotions, thanks to the new skills they’ve picked up and the fresh value they’re bringing to their teams.

“It’s allowed us to move from gut feel to data-backed choices” - Ensar, Pharmapac

The Academy is also creating a sense of shared purpose. That sense of community has helped people stay motivated and curious. 

“We all like to feel part of something,” - Paul, Westminster Associates.

5. Key metrics (so far)

These are just the early indicators and they’re expected to keep climbing as more members finish the programme.

What’s next? This is just the first cohort. The Wirral Chamber is already preparing to launch the second, and excitement is building. More info.

The more people that go through the Academy, the more AI literacy will grow across the region. And with that, Wirral businesses will be better equipped to innovate, serve their communities, and stay competitive.

By making AI accessible, practical and people-first, the Wirral Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Pair is showing exactly how local business communities can go from ambition to adoption.

Reach out if you want to find out how your Regional Chamber and Pair can work together.