The Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce Annual General Meeting was held on Friday 11th October at the Garlic Farm. The meeting was chaired by Steve Porter, Chairman of the Chamber Board. The Chamber’s Chief Executive Steven Holbrook shared his vision and ideas for the future of the Chamber and the meeting formally approved changes to the Chamber Board.
John Allen from Ventnor Self-Catering was sworn in as the Chamber’s new President, taking on the role from Peter Tomlinson. John had a successful media career in both the BBC and commercial radio, where he was programme controller of news radio station LBC for a while. He first joined the Chamber Board in 2012 having started a holiday letting business in Ventnor in 2007 and he is currently also a director of the Isle of Wight Lottery and Visit Isle of Wight Ltd. Since the start of the year he has been running the Ventnor Winter Gardens.
Mark Lee of Lifeline Alarm Systems was elected unopposed to serve a second 3-year term of office in the category of General Business. Jonathan Thornton of PC Consultants and Chris Scott of Christopher Scott Ltd were both elected unopposed to serve their second 3-year term of office in the category of Professional and Business Services.
Fran Collins CEO of Red Funnel was elected to the Board to replace Kevin George in the category of Transport & Logistics.
Alison Colley from Real Employment Law Advice was elected to the Board in the category of Professional and Business Services and Neil Chapman from Hovertravel stood down from the Board after completing his second 3 year term of office. Sandra Knowles from Hillbans Pest Control was co-opted to the Chamber Board for a period of one year.
The AGM also recognised long-standing members with a Gold award presented to Glanvilles Damant Legal Services marking 35 years in membership.
Silver awards were presented to Clarkes Mechanical, W Hurst & Son (IW) Ltd, Royal Ocean Racing Club and West Wight Sports & Community Centre marking 20 years of membership.
Bronze member certificates, marking 10 years of membership, were presented to The Rosetta Group inc Open Sauce Systems Ltd and The Utility Warehouse Discount Club.
