More than 40 local business leaders gathered to hear from Shevaun Haviland, the Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, at a special networking lunch in Ryde on Wednesday. The event, organised by the Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce, was an opportunity for questions to be asked of Shevaun, who works directly with the Government to guide policy and to be the voice of more than 50,000 businesses across the country. Ahead of her arrival at Ryde School, where a 2-course lunch was hosted, Shevaun travelled across the Solent with Wightlink – enjoying the views from the bridge of the Fastcat with the firm’s Chief Executive, Keith Greenfield. Gathered delegates later moved across to the school’s theatre, where a Q&A forum wit Shevaun was chaired by the Chamber’s Tom Stroud. Shevaun’s visit – thought to be the first time a BCC Director General has come to the Island – also included a tour of Isle of Wight Tomatoes at Arreton, as well as a visit to Branstone Business Park and the IW Chamber offices. Later in the day, Shevaun met with IW Chamber Patrons at The Hambrough in Ventnor. Speaking about her visit to the Island, Shevaun has said:
“I’ve had a fantastic day and I’ve really been impressed by the incredible entrepreneurial energy on the Isle of WIght. It’s always fascinating to hear from business owners and to be able to understand their challenges and views, which are shared from the Chamber on the Island, to the British Chambers, where we work with government to make sure that voice is heard in Westminster.”
