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
Dec 21, 2023
2 min read

British Cycling is pleased to announce the appointment of experienced global sports executive Lee Gibbons as a new Independent Non-Executive Director on the organisation’s Board of Directors.

In a 22-year career in the sports marketing industry, Lee has held senior roles in organisations including IMG and adidas, where he led the brand’s sponsorship programme for London 2012. He is currently Managing Director of Sport UNLIMITED, an insight-driven integrated sports marketing agency, part of the UK’s leading conversion agency UNLIMITED.

As an Independent Non-Executive Director, Lee will provide vital support and expertise to British Cycling’s commercial and marketing functions, as the organisation looks to capitalise on the spotlight of Paris 2024.

Lee joins the Board following the departure of Leah Davis, who leaves after three years in post to focus on her full-time role with Sail GP. We would like to thank Leah for her contribution to the organisation over recent years.

Speaking following his appointment, Lee said: “It is a huge honour to join the Board of British Cycling and I’m really looking forward to working with the other Board members, the Executive and wider teams to contribute to continued success at all levels of this great sport."

“Having worked with British Cycling and many of the team’s athletes whilst at adidas, to being a passionate fan in the velodrome, or cheering the Tour of Britain on with my family, it’s a sport very close to my heart."

“With a clear strategic plan in place, an Olympic and Paralympic Games fast approaching where the team will look to maintain their position as one of the most successful British sports, and flourishing grassroots participation, now is an exciting time to join. I look forward playing my part to ensure every opportunity for the sport is realised.”

British Cycling Chair, Frank Slevin, added: "Following what has been an extensive and incredibly competitive process I’m thrilled to welcome Lee to the Board of Directors."

“Our Independent Directors each play a vital role in bringing significant and highly-specialist expertise to the Board, helping to support our core functions and provide rigorous oversight to our work. Lee’s knowledge and insight will be a great asset to the organisation as we look to grow our network of commercial partners and strengthen our membership proposition, and we look forward to welcoming him to the Board in the new year.”

The British Cycling Board of Directors is comprised of an independent chair, nominated directors from Scottish Cycling, Welsh Cycling and the English regions, three elected directors and three independent non-executive directors.

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Hampshire Business Leaders Urged To Do More On Diversity

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