Hampshire Chamber of Commerce has appointed a leading figure in one of the region’s most high-profile business sectors as its new President.
Mandy Boughton brings more than 30 years’ experience in leisure marine to the voluntary ambassadorial role at the ‘voice of business’ membership organisation.
A board director at Hampshire Chamber for the past two years, Southampton-based Mandy is Managing Director of Ancasta Yacht Services, part of the Ancasta group, Europe’s biggest boat and yacht sales brokerage.
Her managerial experience includes business development, operations, sales and customer service.
Mandy said her priorities as President are to ensure “members and prospective members across our fantastic region continue to view the Chamber as the go-to destination for essential advice and support”.
She added: “I’m keen to see more members, especially SMEs, seize the opportunities afforded by economic growth and prosperity.”
Mandy replaces Peter Taylor who is standing down from the President’s role after three years.
Peter, who is Senior Partner at law firm Paris Smith LLP, will remain on the Chamber board for another year.
The moves were announced at the Chamber’s 2024 annual general meeting (AGM), held at the Lainston House Hotel in Winchester.
Ross McNally, Chief Executive and Executive Chairman, said: “Both Mandy and Peter are outstanding individuals with highly successful careers who have shown steadfast support for the Chamber and the wider business community.
“We pay a heartfelt tribute to Peter for being a truly inspirational President for the past three years and working so hard on our behalf.
“At the same time, we welcome Mandy to the role, an ideal opportunity for her to champion the Chamber’s engagement with outside organisations, hold fellow directors to account and provide corporate governance.”
Ross also welcomed the appointments of two new non-executive directors, both with extensive Chamber experience: Alpa Shingadia of business consultancy Rizing Star; and Zulfiya Truscott of flexible workspace provider BizSpace.
Farnborough-based Alpa chairs the Chamber’s Rushmoor & Hart business strategy group while Zulfiya performs the same role on its Winchester & District group.
Ross added: “We look forward to working more closely with Alpa and Zulfiya and applying their experience, knowledge, ideas and energy for the benefit of members across Hampshire.”
As well as the board changes, the AGM was an opportunity to review the Chamber’s achievements and business performance over the year.
Members were advised that in line with a 12% rise in international trade income, more than 6,200 overseas trade documents were issued including ATA Carnets, certificates of origin and other import and export declarations.
At the same time, the Chamber increased its events and training income by around 35% which, along with membership subscriptions, took turnover to just under £800,000 and created a profit of £34,679.
Progress was also shared on a key Chamber activity, leadership of the Solent Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP), designed to help employers fill skills gaps in their businesses.
The meeting heard that an LSIP-related skills brokerage service directly supported more than 100 employers, with a target of 150 by spring next year.
Nearly 1,000 businesses engaged with the LSIP overall via workshops, roundtable discussions or taking up a needs analysis through the brokerage.
Outreach activities saw engagement with more 5,000 school pupils and young people not in education, employment or training.
The LSIP has also been complemented by the Chamber’s Meet the Charity steering group which held a ‘skills exchange’ exhibition and conference in Winchester and has since co-ordinated a series of meetings involving business and third sector employers.
Policy areas where the Chamber lobbied or provided insight or information to government included skills and education, business grants and financial support, transport infrastructure and connectivity, and CSR and sustainability.
Click here to view Hampshire Chamber of Commerce’s 2024 presentation
For more information on Hampshire Chamber’s board and directors, visit Board & Directors | About Us | Hampshire Chamber of Commerce.
Hampshire Chamber of Commerce
Hampshire Chamber of Commerce is the independent voice of local business across the county and one of the largest regional business networks in the UK. With a strategic vision to ‘unlock Hampshire’s potential’, Hampshire Chamber brings together the combined influence, strength and expertise of the county’s three former major chambers. It works with over 2,000 individual firms spanning all sectors and sizes of business. Member services include training, advice, international trade documentation, events, networking opportunities and lobbying to policymakers on issues affecting business. Hampshire Chamber’s PEER network (standing for Participation, Engagement, Expertise and Reputation) is a member community designed to help any employer to grow and thrive irrespective of their stage on the enterprise journey.
