Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce members, staff and colleagues have wished Kevin Smith a fond farewell. Kevin retired today after 17 years in the role as Chief Executive. Kevin’s last day in the role ended with a cream tea and a glass of prosecco with invited guests at the Lakeside Park Hotel in Wootton.
“We’ve all done some great stuff together,” Kevin told friends and colleagues in his farewell speech. “We share the same passion, which is the Isle of Wight and everything that is best for it. I’d like to wish you all the best for the future and hope that you continue to collaborate to achieve the 2030 Vision. I leave my role with only friends, so thank you very much to everybody.”
Chamber President Geoff Underwood paid tribute to Kevin’s long tenure as Chief Executive.
“We’ve achieved so much under your guidance. We’ve always been able to laugh, even when we’ve been doing serious things and I wish you all the best.”
Steve Porter, chairman of the Chamber’s board also thanked Kevin for his commitment to the Chamber.
“Kevin and I have known each other for 25 years and I’ve held a position at the Chamber for most of those years. Kevin has taught me an awful lot about business and politics and I’d like to thank him for that.”
The Chamber’s new Chief Executive is Steven Holbrook and he joins the business on Monday 18th June.
