Associated Chambers

DORSET BUSINESS FOCUS / NEWS Associated Town Chambers

Bridport Business Chamber of Trade and Commerce

www.bridportbusiness.org.uk Our mission is to ensure that Bridport provides the ideal environment for businesses to thrive and to supply the goods and services that the town and surrounding area needs to remain economically vibrant.

Dorchester Chamber for Business

www.dorchesterchamber.co.uk We play an active role helping to promote local business and enterprise, representing a wide range of businesses both large and small. Our priority is to help our members work together to boost trade. In addition, we are also working with community partners on our Retain & Retrain campaign to promote apprenticeships and similar initiatives to further enhance employability in Dorchester.

Gillingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry

www.gcci.co.uk Gillingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry has been around since the 1930s. Many of our members come from outside the High Street where diversity encompasses old family firms, industrial estate Units and new modern work from home and digital businesses. We are very much involved in local initiatives and other groups such as Town Council, Gillingham School, Gillingham in Gear, Dementia Friends, Town Team in particular. www.shaftesburychamber.co.uk The Shaftesbury Chamber has around 100 members from its two business parks and independent High Street businesses. They hold monthly networking meetings and are very active in the development of the town’s economy. Unlike many other towns, Christmas lights and activities are entirely run and paid for by Chamber members

Sherbourne Chamber of Trade and Commerce

www.sherbornechamber.co.uk The Sherborne Chamber of Commerce exists to promote its members’ businesses and the wider business community. It has a membership in excess of 150. The Chamber is involved in just about every event that takes place in the town, supporting the Sherborne community, attracting media interest and creating a memorable experience for visitors to the town.

Swanage & District Chamber of Trade

www.swanagechamberoftrade.co.uk We have many ways of helping to promote all businesses in Swanage, the most popular of these is the Swanage Map. This is provided to tourists free of charge through all local hotels and the tourist information centre. As a member, you will be taking an active part in helping develop business opportunities in Swanage.

SturBiz - Sturminster Newton Chamber of Commerce

www.facebook.com/SturBiz The Sturminster Newton Chamber of Commerce was set up in 2018 and named SturBiz for simplicity. Its Mission is to promote and enhance Sturminster Newton and surrounding area’s economy and its businesses and support a thriving and effective business community

Weymouth & Portland Chamber of Commerce

www.wpchamber.co.uk The chamber has been supporting businesses for over 100 years, encouraging and inspiring businesses of all sizes. We’ve helped many people to find their feet in the local business community, by providing an environment where they can connect with likeminded people. In recent years we’ve represented the concerns of businesses to the local councils, contributing to a significant cut in the cost of car parking charges. We played an important role in the establishment of the Weymouth BID, in whose operation we take a keen interest.

#GetBusinessDone

Enhanced Announces Employee Ownership Trust

The Directors of Enhanced have announced that the Company has become employee owned via an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). An EOT is a special form of employee benefit trust introduced by the Government in September 2014, in an attempt to encourage more shareholders to set up a corporate structure similar to the John Lewis model.

Founded in 1994, Enhanced have continued to grow and now have over 50 staff and a turnover in excess of 6 million.

As one of the founding Directors, Simon White says,

“ I am proud to say that although much has changed in the world of IT, the Company’s mission and ideals are very much the same as they were since its inception. To constantly excel in everything we do.

We have experienced an incredible success story, despite numerous challenges and the ever changing market place. We have come through Brexit and Covid and I believe we are stronger than ever.

The time is right for Enhanced to move forward to the next stage in its development and what better way than to make the transition to an EOT. I speak for all the Directors, all of whom will remain as Directors with Enhanced, when I say we are passionate about the legacy of the business and the people who have built it. The EOT roots jobs and is a perfect way to protect the Enhanced legacy.”

Based in Poole, Enhanced are one of the leading IT providers across the south of the UK. As a Gold Microsoft Partner, the award winning business provides a wide range of IT solutions and support. www.enhanced.co.uk