Chambers to vote on county-wide merger (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Chambers to vote on county-wide merger

3:19pm Thursday 18th February 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

BUSINESS is set to move forward with a new chamber for the whole of Hamp- shire.

Members of the North Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NHCCI) voted overwhelmingly to merge with Portsmouth & South East Hampshire and Southampton & Fareham chambers of commerce and industry to form Hampshire Chamber of Commerce.

NHCCI gave the green light for the merger at an extraordinary general meeting, held at the Red Lion Hotel, Basingstoke on Tuesday.

The final outcome will not be known until the other two chambers take their votes in the coming weeks.

If the memberships of all three chambers approve the proposal, it is anticipated that Hampshire Chamber of Commerce will start trading in April.

NHCCI chief executive John Harrocks said: “This was the first of three meetings which are key to the future of chambers of commerce in the county.

“The other two meetings will take place at the end of this month and at the beginning of March.

“Once we have the results, we will have a much clearer picture of where we are going.”

Mr Harrocks was keen for members to vote for the merger, as he, along with the boards of each chamber, believes it would provide the county’s business community with enhanced networking opportunities and also offer a stronger lobbying voice in the county and regional economies.

“I am delighted with the result today, but it was not unexpected,” he said.

“It is a statement of how the business com munity in Basingstoke and the rest of north Hampshire see the future, so I am very pleased.”

The three chambers of commerce are to hold a speed-networking event at the Solent Hotel and Spa, in Whiteley, near Portsmouth, on Wednesday.

The aim of the event, called Speed Network with our Neighbours, is to bring together com panies from all sectors to enable them to explore new business opportunities and pro vide many new contacts.

The fun event uses a new format of seated three-way speed-networking.

For details call NHCCI on 01962 841000 or email winchester@nhcci.co.uk.