Jacqui Rock, new President of Bournemouth Chamber of Trade & Commerce (centre) with (left) Yvonne Phillips (Devereux), Vice President, and Heather Martyn, Immediate Past President.
Published: March 26, 2021 | Updated: 26th March 2021
History has been made at Bournemouth Chamber of Trade & Commerce (BCTC).
For the first time in its 105-year history, the top three Board positions are held by women.
Jacqui Rock has become the fifth female President.
She is supported by Yvonne Phillips (Devereux) as Vice-President with Heather Martyn becoming Immediate Past President.
For the second year in a row the chamber’s annual meeting was held by video conference.
Jacqui, who was appointed Manager of Poole Business Improvement District (BID) last month, said Covid-19 would inevitably dominate her term in office.
She said: “As I look back at 2020, there’s absolutely no question that it was a year like no other as Covid-19 impacted all of us professionally and personally.
“But while there were significant challenges, the pandemic also highlighted the strengths of our businesses and the courage of frontline workers.
“Fostering relationships and countering pandemic isolation was a priority.
“As we move through 2021, we know that the pandemic will continue to influence everything we do as a business, non-profit or a community, but hope will prevail.
“The BCTC focus is very much on learning what our member’s main requirements are as our town begins to reopen.
“Timely feedback to our recent survey will enable us to target concerns, whilst delivering on key deliverables – training & learning via our website’s MemberZone.
“Transitioning to face to face training events when we are able, alongside our key stakeholder monthly Local Government Affairs (LGA) meeting are the foundation and paramount to Chamber.”
Heather said her term as President had been “a year like no other.”
She added: “There have been some incredibly positive moments amongst the diverse and unexpected climate associated with Covid-19.
“A year ago, it became clear through our LGA that a multi-agency approach was needed to ensure there was a ‘one-voice’ approach for our conurbation.
“BCP Council was tasked with creating the environment for the communications and actions for this.
“This vote of trust placed in the council was unanimous by all in attendance at the May LGA, which included contributions from other leading groups such as Christchurch Chamber, Town Centre BID, Coastal BID and Poole BID, BH Area Hospitality Association and the transport and hospitality industries to name just a few.
“The council came up with the ‘R3 Task Force’, a multi stranded approach and with other key stakeholders joining, they have met every two weeks ever since.
“There is no doubt that this multi-agency approach has ensured that businesses have had a platform to voice their concerns, find help and support and get the correct information first time, from the right people.
“New industry groups have formed and were able to voice their concerns and the LGA were able to give them that platform and supportive leg up.
“The support and ideas generated within various industry sectors has been incredible.
“The energy behind the desire to come through this pandemic is enough to generate the conurbation for years.
“All these groups old and new are now very much part of our ‘joined up thinking’ and have a way forward.
“Whilst it’s not been the year that I, or anyone, could have imagined, it has been a privilege to serve as President.
“It has been an honour to be part of the bigger picture and contribute towards the town’s re-emergence post-pandemic.
“I am confident that Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole have a strong future, as I feel we are now ahead of the curve due to the co-operation of our business community.”
Heather thanked the chamber’s patrons for their support, members for keeping in touch and Chamber Secretary Christina Pengelly who “works tirelessly on behalf of the Board and all our members.”
The annual meeting included the naming of the new Board of Directors.
Supporting Jacqui, Yvonne and Heather for 2021/22 are:
New members are always welcome with annual membership costing £75 per annum.
Click here to join.
