Dorset Business Festival got off to a flying start with a launch event featuring keynote speakers and backing for the British armed forces.
The Dorset Chamber organised extravaganza was officially opened with a business breakfast at Rick Stein’s restaurant at Sandbanks in Poole.
More than 100 business people packed into the venue to hear from chamber chief executive Ian Girling and Jobs Foundation president Matthew Elliott, who spoke about the charity’s mission to champion business as a ‘force for good’.
And chamber president Tony Brown signed an agreement to mark the business support organisation’s bronze award in the Defence Employer Recognition scheme for its forces friendly credentials.
He was joined by Major Joe Williamson, British Army – Armoured Futures and Integration, to receive the honour through the Armed Forces Covenant.
Dorset Business Festival – the largest of its kind in the region – is being held over three weeks this October, also with the theme of ‘business as a force for a good’.
Chamber chief executive Ian Girling said: “It was a tremendous start to the Dorset Business Festival.
“This year’s festival is designed to show just how important a contribution businesses make to society and the economy, while demonstrating to businesses that acting in a social and environmentally responsible way delivers real benefits for their bottom line, growth and future development.
“It was a privilege to welcome Lord Elliott and hear him talk about the Jobs Foundation’s valuable work and examples of the very real difference businesses are making to their employees’ lives and local communities. We very much look forward to his return for our Business Festival conference on Wednesday October 9.
“Signing the Armed Forces Covenant and receiving the bronze award in its Defence Employer Recognition scheme was also the perfect way to celebrate the start of the festival and show what a difference businesses can make.
“We can’t wait for the rest of the festival to get underway, showing just what a supportive, dynamic and progressive business community we have here in Dorset.”
The festival continues with a business expo on October 2, a festival conference on October 9 and the Dorset Business Awards on October 10 – all at the Hilton Hotel in Bournemouth.
The day-long Business Festival Conference – hosted by broadcaster Declan Curry – will include keynote speakers, Q&As and networking. Its panels will focus on:
- Embedding Environmental and Social Responsibility for Growth
- Sustainable Business: Where Profit and Planet Align
- Leadership and Innovation. Business as a Problem Solver
- Gen Z, Gen Alpha and Beyond: Their Future in our Hands
Panellists are from such diverse organisations and businesses as Lush, Organix, Suez, the Department for Education, YMCA Bournemouth, Nourish Care Systems Ltd, 4Couture, Marsham Court Hotel and Bournemouth and Poole College.
The keynote speakers are global climate change consultant and social entrepreneur Benita Matofska and political analyst and president of The Jobs Foundation Lord Matthew Elliott.
Dorset Business Festival is also supporting a Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Homewards Employer Engagement Event on Wednesday 16 October at the Marsham Court Hotel.
The festival is supported by Premier Festival Partner Lester Aldridge and Festival Partners Blue Sky Financial Planning, Bournemouth and Poole College, Dorset Council, ElectriX and YMCA Bournemouth.
Dorset Chamber is the county’s leading business support organisation and its voice of business. It has nearly 700 members representing more than 37,000 employees and celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. The chamber has a vision of ‘enabling better lives through business’.
The Armed Forces Covenant, a promise by the nation ensuring that those who serve or who have served in the armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly.
There are three tiers of the Employer Recognition Award – bronze, silver and gold – recognising employers who first pledge, then demonstrate, then advocate support to the armed forces community in alignment with the Covenant.
Visit https://dorsetchamber.co.uk/business-as-a-force-for-good-conference/ for more information about the conference and to book places.
With over 100 members any business in Dorset can join Dorchester Chamber from business for £60p/a (no VAT).
