Entrepreneur and tech innovator Baroness Martha Lane Fox CBE addressed more than 150 business leaders on the opening day of the Southampton International Boat Show. The Lastminute.com founder was keynote speaker at the signature event on Hampshire Chamber of Commerce’s social calendar, its annual Boat Show luncheon.
From dining table to global business in 20 years
A West Country business launched by an entrepreneur working from his dining table has celebrated its 20th anniversary and now turns over £10m a year and employs 70 staff around the globe. Computer Network Defence (CND) held a celebratory day to mark its two decades in business and brought workers from the UK and US together to enjoy the event.
Radio station tunes in to Bournemouth Chamber
Bournemouth’s new radio station Bournemouth One has become the latest patron of the town’s Chamber of Trade and Commerce.
Frustrated job seekers flock to fair
Job seekers unable to find work by applying directly to companies swamped a recruitment team at a recent jobs fair in Milton Keynes. Berry Recruitment had to boost its staff at the event to deal with the number of people looking for work.
CMe – a decade of success
An entrepreneur who became a mother at 16 and has overcome major financial and domestic hurdles is now head of a multi-million pound company. Hampshire’s Charisse Smith launched CMe Media in 2014 and is poised to celebrate its 10th anniversary.
Storage firm’s anniversary giveaway
A family-owned self-storage business in Poole is celebrating its second anniversary by offering free storage. Store and Secure in Hamworthy is run by ‘storage sisters’ Lucy and Sophie Maidman.
Wild promotes Danielle to manager
Wild Recruitment in Portsmouth has promoted Danielle McNally to Divisional Manager for Driving – ten years after she called the agency about a tele-sales job.
Boost for special needs students
An independent specialist college at Holton Lee near Sandford, Dorset, has been given nearly £900 by Albert Marsh Funeral Directors in Wareham. The branch of Douch Family Funeral Directors raised the money last year and nominated Livability Millie College to receive the cheque.
Paralysed former soldier puts workshy to shame
A Special Forces soldier who was shot through the neck and is paralysed from the head down has astonished the medical profession by building himself a fast-growing brand – called Bravery. Toby Guttridge, now 38, was never supposed to live, let alone turn himself into an entrepreneur.
Sweet chamber music in Dorset
Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce has become the latest associate of Dorset Chamber. It is the ninth town chamber to join the umbrella organisation for the county’s businesses.