Dorset Chamber strengthens board with former Sunseeker CEO

ON BOARD: Former Sunseeker chief executive Phil Popham has joined the board of Dorset Chamber. Pictured from left are Dorset Chamber chief executive Ian Girling and Phil Popham

ON BOARD: Former Sunseeker chief executive Phil Popham has joined the board of Dorset Chamber. Pictured from left are Dorset Chamber chief executive Ian Girling and Phil Popham

Former Sunseeker and Lotus Cars chief executive Phil Popham has re-joined the board of Dorset Chamber.

He will help steer the county’s leading business support organisation forward after taking a non-executive director position.

Phil previously spent two and half years on the chamber’s board from 2016 to 2018 during his time as chief executive of Poole-based luxury superyacht brand Sunseeker.

He brings 35 years of experience, including executive roles at Jaguar Land Rover, and has recently launched his own consultancy supporting businesses with growth and transformation.

Dorset Chamber chief executive Ian Girling said: “It a quite a coup to welcome Phil back to the board.

“He brings exceptional experience, expertise and knowledge to an already strong team of talented and committed directors.

“These are exciting times as the chamber continues to innovate, grow and adapt to support businesses as they drive economic growth and create jobs and wealth for the local community.

“I’m sure Phil will play a major role as we move forward and it is absolutely brilliant to see him back.”

Phil was chief executive of Sunseeker from 2014 to 2018 and then Lotus Cars from 2018 to 2021 where he was responsible for driving major business transformations within both businesses.

Prior to this he spent 14 years at Jaguar Land Rover where he was responsible for global marketing sales and service when the company oversaw a period of unprecedented growth.

After leaving Lotus, he launched Phil Popham Consultancy in May of this year and recently renewed acquaintances with the chamber by leading a Business Transformation Programme.

Phil said: “It is a great privilege to sit on the chamber’s board and support Dorset’s dynamic and diverse business community.

“Clearly there has been a great deal of change in the world since I last served as a non-executive director and I’m looking forward to working with Ian and the board to make Dorset an even better place in which to do business.”

Dorset Chamber – the voice of business in Dorset – has a 13-strong board, including its chief executive, president and chairman of its council of ambassadors.

ENDS