ALL ABOARD: Dorset Chamber board members after their election at the business support organisation’s 2024 annual meeting. From left are honorary treasurer Lesley Fox, non-executive director Nicky Busst, non-executive director Simon Boyd, past president Caron Khan, president Tony Brown, chief executive Ian Girling, chair of the council of ambassadors Helen Stacey, honorary solicitor Matthew Fretten, non-executive director Gail Polkinghorne, non-executive director Lesley Keets and vice-president Gareth Sherwood. Not pictured: Future Leaders Forum chair Toni Taylor. (Picture: Dorset Chamber)
Dorset Chamber vowed to ‘stand by the side’ of businesses as it urged them to ‘stay positive’ despite a tough economic climate.
Its chief executive Ian Girling said the chamber’s leadership would be vital over the coming year when he spoke its annual meeting.
Members also heard of a landmark 75th anniversary year in 2024 and of exciting new initiatives for 2025 as well as the launch of a new vision and mission statement.
President Tony Brown, of Y-Not Finance, was elected for a second term as president and Gareth Sherwood, chief executive of YMCA Bournemouth, will continue as vice-president.
The chamber, with nearly 700 members representing 37,000 employees, is the county’s leading business support organisation and its voice of business.
Ian, marking his own 11th anniversary at the chamber, said: “After our 75th anniversary year, as we look to the future, we will continue to strand by the side of business.
“We will always seek to do our very best to support the business and foster a vibrant and prosperous community that really enhances the quality of life of all in the area.”
He added: “It is a tough economic climate out there at the moment and trading conditions are hard.
“Employer National Insurance increases are going to be a huge challenge for business in Dorset and across the country.
“The leadership of the chamber is really important and positivity within business is crucial. As a chamber we really try to unite the business community and help push it forward .”
Among the highlights of 2024 were a 75th anniversary ball and the Dorset Business Festival, which attracted more than 1,000 people.
The chamber unveiled its new vision for ‘a vibrant and prosperous Dorset business community that enhances the quality of life for all’ and mission ‘to drive the growth and prosperity of businesses as the county’s leading business support and representative organisation’.
Plans for 2025 include leadership and sales programmes, continued development of such initiatives as its Future Leaders Forum, and such programmes as its Campfire initiative with the Intergage Group to help businesses harness the power of AI.
The chamber, which operates as a not-for-profit SME business with no local authority or government grants, is also seeking to develop new income streams. Any money it receives from councils or partners is won through a competitive tender process.
Ian thanked all of the chamber’s valued members for their support, including business partners, sponsors of events, BCP Council, Dorset Council, education providers and other partners as well as the chamber staff, ambassadors and board members.
Tony said: “It has been a fantastic year and I am thankful for the opportunity.
“I am honoured to be continuing as your president. It is a privilege to work alongside such an amazing group pf professionals at the chamber and its members who care deeply about supporting each other and making Dorset a better place in which to live and work.”
Other board appointments at the annual meeting included Caron Khan as Past President, Helen Stacey as chair of the council of ambassadors, Matthew Fretten as honorary solicitor, Lesley Fox as honorary treasurer, Future Leaders Forum chair Toni Taylor along with Simon Boyd, Nicky Busst, Lesley Keets and Gail Polkinghorne as non-executive directors.
Dorset Chamber is the only chamber in the county accredited to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).
Ranked as the leading chamber nationally with 118 five-star Google reviews. it reaches nearly 18,000 social media users and 10,000 people through its monthly business magazine.
The annual meeting at the Highcliff Marriott Hotel in Bournemouth was followed by the chamber’s Christmas lunch when £1,775 was raised for Wessex Heartbeat
Dorset Chamber is also encouraging businesses to complete its survey about the impact of forthcoming increases in employer National Insurance HERE.
ENDS
