Hampshire Business Leaders Urged To Do More On Diversity

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The positive contribution of neurodiversity to the workplace was one of the key themes of Hampshire Chamber’s latest annual general meeting.

Members were urged to review their company recruitment practices and view greater inclusivity as a strategic advantage in business. Guest speaker Marie Greenhalgh, Relationships Director at specialist education provider Inclusion Education, told the Basingstoke gathering that businesses which embrace neurodiversity are better positioned for future growth, especially as Gen Z enters the workforce with higher rates of cognitive variance. Marie said:

“In today’s competitive and evolving world, businesses need more than just traditional talent, they need diverse minds that bring fresh perspectives, creative problem-solving and unique strengths."

“Neurodivergent individuals, those with conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and others, offer exactly that. They often possess exceptional attention to detail, creative thinking, resilience and strategic insight, qualities that are not only valuable but often rare.”

Marie’s call was echoed by fellow speakers Barry Smith, chair of Hampshire Chamber’s Basingstoke Business Strategy Group, and Matthew Cleaver, Chief Executive of Anvil Arts.

Their presentations complemented a meeting formally organised to review the Chamber’s business performance over the past year and confirm its Board configuration. Describing 2024-25 as a ‘year of investment’ which resulted in a small financial loss, Ross McNally, Chief Executive and Executive Chair, said the forecast was a return to surplus in 2026. And he stressed that events and training income had increased by 16%, one of a series of positive developments.

Ross said two external compliance audits had passed the Chamber’s support for international trade with 100% scores. Activities included the issuing of more than 5,700 documents, with nearly 800 being export or import declarations.

At the same time, more than 2,500 bookings had been made for Chamber training sessions, networking opportunities and other events.

Major occasions included the Southampton business symposium SOGROW, the annual Southampton Boat Show lunch, the fourth year of the Portsmouth & South Coast Business Week and, in Basingstoke, the business sustainability conference and expo Unlocking Hampshire’s Green Potential.

Ross also highlighted the signing of an international UK-EU accord between Hampshire Chamber and Drogheda & District Chamber in Ireland. There was a focus on skills too, with Ross reporting more than 400 engagements between businesses and the Chamber-led Local Skills Improvement Plan for the Solent.

Skills support was a key policy area where the Chamber had lobbied or provided direct insight to government, Ross explained. Other priorities flagged with Ministers included business grants and financial support, transport infrastructure and connectivity, CSR and sustainability.

The meeting, held at the Absolutely Offices in Grove House, Basingstoke, confirmed the re-appointment of Mandy Boughton of Ancasta Yacht Services as Chamber President, a role with both an ambassadorial and lobbying remit and the internal function of providing corporate governance to the Board.

As well as Mandy, two other non-executive directors were given the green light to serve a second three-year term of office: Andrew Kaye of South Hampshire College Group and Richard Thompson of RJT International.

Ross praised the contributions of former President Peter Taylor of law firm Paris Smith and fellow non-executive director Joe Jeffers of Hambledon Vineyard, who are both stepping down after seven years’ service each.

And he thanked Donna Jones, Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire & the Isle of Wight and Chair of the National Association of Police & Crime Commissioners, who was appointed a non-executive director in 2024 and stepped down earlier this year.

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Paul Andrews
Jan 10, 2024
3 min read

Isuzu UK is proud to announce that the Isuzu D-Max has once again secured the prestigious Pick-Up of the Year 2024 award from Company Car & Van magazine. This marks the third consecutive win for the Isuzu D-Max in this category, a testament to its unrivalled performance and versatility in meeting the needs of small to medium fleets.

Celebrating its fourteenth year in the industry, Company Car & Van magazine stands as a beacon of expertise for fleet managers and company directors overseeing fleets of fewer than 100 units. As a trusted motoring publication and website, it caters to those with the authority to shape their company's vehicle fleet, providing invaluable insights into the latest developments, trends, and innovations in the automotive sector. Recognised for its insightful analysis and comprehensive reviews, the magazine assists decision-makers in making informed choices that align with the unique demands of their business operations. Company Car & Van continues to play a pivotal role in guiding professionals toward vehicles that not only meet their practical needs but also align with the ever-evolving landscape of corporate mobility.

The award handover took place at Isuzu UK's headquarters in Solihull, near Birmingham, where Isuzu UK Managing Director Alan Able graciously received the honour.

Andrew Walker, Editor and Publisher at Company Car & Van, expressed, "Despite the arrival of a number of new competitors in 2023, the Isuzu D-Max is yet again our Pick-up of the Year for 2024. Why? It offers the most comprehensive range of single, extended & double cabs in the sector with a plethora of conversions offered as well. The recent facelift has increased its appeal, and with the on-trend tech and safety features on board that customers want, it ticks those boxes too. Most importantly, if you need a pick-up to be a pick-up, it does the tough stuff as well.”

Alan Able, Managing Director at Isuzu UK, commented on the win, "We are honoured to receive the Pick-Up of the Year award for the third consecutive year. This recognition is a testament to the commitment of Isuzu to providing high-quality, reliable vehicles that meet the diverse needs of our customers."

The award-winning Isuzu D-Max line-up offers a range of vehicles tailored to different preferences and business requirements.

Business Range

Utility: Aimed at businesses, the Utility model comes with single, extended, or double-cab body styles. It features a wipe-clean vinyl floor covering, hard-wearing cloth upholstery, and automatic headlights and windscreen wipers.

All-purpose Range

DL20: Adds features like heated front seats, rear parking sensors, 18-inch silver alloy wheels, and a colour-matched front bumper.
DL40: Builds on the DL20 with a premium feel inside the cabin, including SUV-like specifications such as keyless entry, push-button start, dual-zone climate control, leather interior, and a reversing camera. It also features a 7-inch multimedia system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

Adventure Range

V-Cross: Best-selling in this range, it adds a 9-inch multimedia system, an eight-speaker sound system, and distinctive gun-metal grey exterior styling elements.
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Isuzu D-Max continues to lead the way in providing a comprehensive range of tough and reliable vehicles that cater to the diverse needs of businesses and fleet managers, securing its position as the Pick-Up of the Year for 2024.

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Hampshire Business Leaders Urged To Do More On Diversity

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