Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry has appointed communications consultant Caron Khan as its new president.
Ms Khan received the chain of office at the business support organisation’s recent AGM, which was held virtually for the first time in its 72-year history.
Nearly 70 members attended via Zoom, including business partners, ambassadors and board members.
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Ms Khan succeeds Liz Willingham, managing director of Poole-based firm Liz Lean PR, who was the first person to hold the chamber’s presidency for two consecutive years.
Ms Khan has a background in commercial radio and runs her own consultancy specialising in marketing, PR and media relations. She has previously served as a non-executive director at Dorset Chamber since 2018 as junior vice president.
She said: “I look forward to working alongside the Chamber team to ensure that we don’t just survive as a business community but once again thrive.
“Then, when we are all finally back together we can celebrate the amazing tenacity of Dorset’s bold and brave businesses.”
Attending members also saw the appointments of Tony Brown of Ferndown-based Y-Not Finance as vice-president and Stephen Mills, partner at accountancy firm Mazars’ Poole Office, as honorary treasurer.
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The resumption of face-to-face networking in July was discussed at the meeting, which will be integrated as part of a mixed programme including virtual events.
Dorset chamber chief executive Ian Girling also launched a new project called Student Connect, which aims to strengthen ties with business students at Bournemouth University to the local business community.
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Welcoming the appointment of Ms Khan as president, Mr Girling praised all involved with the chamber for their help throughout the pandemic, which he described as “possibly the most challenging time” it had faced.
“I know our new president Caron Khan will take on her role with great commitment and focus and no doubt bring a very creative edge," he said.
“We have come through this past year in extremely good shape financially, our standing in the business community is high and I don’t believe Dorset Chamber has ever been in better shape.”
Dorset Chamber is the second largest chamber accredited by the British Chambers of Commerce in the South West.