Chamber shortlisted for top award

Dorset Chamber has been shortlisted for a top award by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).

Representing businesses employing nearly six million people in the UK, BCC notified Dorset Chamber that it is in the running for Chamber of the Year.

An online presentation to a panel of judges by Dorset Chamber’s chief executive, Ian Girling, takes place on 25 September, with the winner being announced on 11 October.

Celebrating its 75th anniversary next year, Dorset Chamber has 629 members.

Girling said: “We are in the running against four other chambers, out of the 53 accredited chambers which make up BCC’s UK network, having submitted a detailed award entry which demonstrates how we are delivering the best experience possible for our members in these challenging and changing times.

“Dorset Chamber has worked tirelessly to be a proactive business support organisation, leading on a range of workplace matters, from banging the drum on the impact of the menopause to online workshops which demystify environmental, social and governance issues.
“We are proud to be a bold, innovative, inclusive and creative Chamber with strong social values, our vision being Enabling better lives through business. It is testament to the hard work of colleagues that we could submit a compelling award entry submission to BCC.”

Caron Khan, Dorset Chamber’s president, said: “To date, 360 businesses have engaged on our latest programmes and we had a highly successful re-accreditation by BCC, with several areas of best practice and innovative new ideas highlighted, including online networking events connecting chambers across the UK and a got-your-back campaign for pressurised business owners.”

The four other chambers of commerce shortlisted for the next stage are Cumbria, Glasgow, North-East England and Staffordshire.