Andrew Finney has been appointed as president of Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, following the passing away of former president Dick Oram in October last year.
One of Mr Finney’s first messages was to thank Adrian Leach, Director of Hampshire Chamber, who stood in as chair during the interregnum.
Mr Finney is a successful businessman and is already a well-known figure in the North of the county. After a successful career in a variety of roles, he became Managing Director of HCR Group in Basingstoke over twenty years ago. The company employs more than 120 people. He is Chairman of the Board at Anvil Arts, a member of the LEP Enterprise M3, is a past board member of SEEDA and former leader of Basingstoke and Deane District Council where he was a member for ten years and in the Cabinet for seven.
Chief Executive of Hampshire Chamber Stewart Dunn commented, “We feel privileged to have Andrew as our president. Throughout his career in business, whether as an employee or an employer, he has always believed in putting something back, right down to when he was in Cardiff 25 years ago and served as vice chair of the Cardiff chamber.
“He has served as Chair of South East Diamonds for Investment in Growth, on a Housing Association board, been chair of governors at local comprehensive school, and of course has given a great deal to his community during his political career. Already he is demonstrating his experience as a figurehead and leader here at Hampshire Chamber.”
Mr Finney said: “A lot of work has gone on recently to position the Chamber as the leading voice and force for business throughout Hampshire and I am proud to take on the role of president at this pivotal time. As a member-led organisation I am committed to ensuring we accurately represent the views of our members locally and on the national stage, that we provide them with the support and services that they need in order to be successful, and that there is recognition that Hampshire businesses deliver a huge amount to the national economy across a broad range of business sectors.”
Hampshire Chamber has an ambitious business plan to grow the membership and to become even more active in the national scene through the British Chambers of Commerce. Mr Finney added, “I will be actively engaging with the members, and working closely with the Board, Executive and staff to realise our plans. We have a really strong story to sell as to what we can deliver as a county. If anyone has ideas, challenges, issues that they want to bring to my personal attention, I shall warmly welcome them.”
