By Press Release
We live in somewhat crazy times where so much is uncertain and life is changing constantly, and now, more than ever, businesses need support. As in Covid times, it’s important that businesses help each other, especially in our relatively small communities here on the Island.
As the new president of the Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce, I am reminded of a quote, back in 1995, from a former Chamber president who said: “We live in a changeable world, where change is the only constant.” Living on an Island as we do, those changes have been more than apparent over the past few years with all that has happened locally, across the UK and globally.
I realise that many of you might not know me, where I have come from and how I fit into the Island’s business community, so here’s a brief history.
I started work at PC Consultants over 20 years ago in the workshop and progressed up through the ranks to managing director, supporting a growing team of staff and engineers. I very much enjoy being hands-on and meeting customers, and it’s great to be able to go out to speak with people and help with their businesses. We are a multi-award-winning company that has been a leader in the IT service, sales, support, and business consulting industry for more than 25 years, which is something we’re extremely proud of.
As the new Chamber president, I want to make every business on the Island aware of the benefits of becoming a member of this institution, which has been supporting Island businesses for well over a hundred years. We have some amazing companies producing interesting, entrepreneurial, and world-class work here on our doorstep. It’s wonderful to be able to highlight those and show just what the Isle of Wight has to offer. Sometimes negativity surrounds the fact that we are on an island, but I aim to turn that notion on its head to emphasise our uniqueness and that’s where reputation comes in.
Reputation is difficult to build but counts for so much, especially here with our close-knit communities. With all the networking opportunities open to Chamber members, you can access people to meet and speak to who will help you to build that reputation. We have customers at PC Consultants who have been with us since we first started, and our relationships are measured not in months or years but in decades. That is unique in what is always seen as a fast-paced industry.
As an Island business, we can use this to our advantage to showcase what we do. And as part of a smaller community, we can refer and recommend other local businesses with confidence and keep the network active, helping you to leverage and take advantage of those connections.
We have also had a return to the Island of many people during Covid who found themselves working from home rather than commuting. They have realised they can work easily from here, and now actively choose to be on the Island, as well as those who have left cities for a better life, which swells our economy.
The two words I’ll be emphasising during my time as Chamber president will be accessibility and transparency. Coming from a small business background I want to make sure that the Chamber is available for the largest companies down to the most micro, that we ensure that it’s relevant to businesses of all sizes and that we are always available for support and help.