Business & Economy
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January 2008 - New Ambassador Newsletter Launched
We are very excited to start the new year by launching our new look newsletter which includes a message from Mrs Mary Fagan, Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire and Patron of the Hampshire Ambassadors.
A new edition to our monthly newsletter will be an interview with a Hampshire Ambassador, a chance for Ambassadors to find out more about each other and tell us what they like most about the scheme. The first interview is with one of our founding members, Robert Hillier, chairman of Hillier Nurseries Ltd.
To view the content of the newsletter visit the Newsletters section on the Ambassador pages.
We also have an excellent 2008 Visit Programme lined up for the year including visits to Ford, VT Shipbuilding and SERCO.
December 2006 - Ambassadors Reach 1000
Photo: (From left to right) John Rees-Evans, Head of Economic Development, HCC; Councillor Michael Woodhall, Executive Member for Economic Development, HCC; Mrs Mary Fagan, Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire and Patron of the Hampshire Ambassadors; Hannah Payne, Economic Projects Assistant, HCC; Francis Paonessa, MD of the VT Portsmouth Shipbuilding Facility and Sarah Bullen, Manager and owner of Avington Park where the Hampshire Ambassadors project was launched 11 years ago.
In December 2006 the Hampshire Ambassadors welcome their 1000th member in newcomer Francis Paonessa, Managing Director of the VT (formerly Vosper Thornycroft) Portsmouth Shipbuilding Facility.
Dr. Paonessa joined VT from university in 1992 as a Design Engineer and subsequently held a number of line and project management positions before being appointed Managing Director about 18 months ago.
Commenting on becoming a Hampshire Ambassador, Francis Paonessa, said: "VT Shipbuilding is a major employer in Hampshire and we are keen to promote the local economy and engage with local people. Hampshire Ambassadors is the perfect scheme to achieve these goals."
Executive member for Economic Development, Councillor Michael Woodhall, said: "I am delighted that Francis joins the Hampshire Ambassadors as it's 1000th member and I am sure he will discover many fascinating things about our county in this new role. The Hampshire Ambassadors scheme offers a unique opportunity for our leading business people to meet one another and find out more about the other companies operating in the county."
February 2006 - Hampshire Ambassadors Scheme Celebrates its 10th Anniversary
On the snowy February evening of Tuesday 28th February, 300 Hampshire Ambassadors gathered in the Great Hall in Winchester to celebrate 10 years of the scheme. Ambassadors were invited to attend the 10th anniversary celebrations on Tuesday 28th February by Mrs Mary Fagan, Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire and Patron of the Hampshire Ambassadors.
Mrs Mary Fagan, Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire and Patron of the Hampshire Ambassadors speaking about the scheme.
Councillor Michael Woodhall, Executive Member for Economic Development and Deputy Leader of the County Council speaking to Ambassadors about the history of the Great Hall in Winchester.
Throughout the evening hosted by Mrs Fagan, Ambassadors heard about the history of the Great Hall by Councillor Michael Woodhall, Executive Member for Economic Development and Deputy Leader of the County Council, enjoyed listening to the Children’s Choir and were given a presentation on the 10 years of the Hampshire Ambassadors by Frances Stokes, Business Development Manager of the Economic Development Office, before enjoying a local food Hampshire Fare buffet.
The Hampshire Children's Choir sing to the Hampshire Ambassadors
Many thanks to the Hampshire Ambassadors who sponsored the evening: Robert Hillier of Hillier Nurseries Ltd supplied a variety of plants for the evening; Nigel Atkinson of George Gale & Co Ltd supplied a barrel of beer for Ambassadors to enjoy; Martin Hartridge of Hartridges Soft Drinks Ltd provided soft drinks for the evening; Jo Scrivener of Starfish Creative Design supplied Hampshire Ambassadors banners to decorate the Great Hall for the evening; and Newsquest ensured coverage of the event in the Southern Daily Echo and the Hampshire Chronicle.
Ten years ago the Hampshire Ambassadors project was set up by the County Council’s Economic Development Office as a way of raising awareness of local businesses and the role they play in the county’s economy. The scheme has gone from strength to strength and from 100 Ambassadors at the beginning, this figure has now risen to nearly 1000, all dedicated to promoting Hampshire as a superb place for business investment, tourism and conferences.
Every month a group of Ambassadors visit leading companies and business venues in Hampshire and in ten years they have visited 116 locations. The aim of these visits is to promote Hampshire businesses and encourage Hampshire firms to strive for excellence.
Executive Member for Economic Development, Councillor Michael Woodhall, said: “The Hampshire Ambassadors play an important role in raising the profile of commerce and industry in the county. Business growth is vital for the county and yet the work that companies do often goes unnoticed by the wider public. A visit from the Hampshire Ambassadors helps highlight the achievements of our local businesses. I hope that the county continues to benefit from their presence for another ten years.”
Left: Frances Stokes, Business Development Manager for the Economic Development Office of Hampshire County Council giving a presentation on the past 10 years of the Hampshire Ambassadors scheme
For more information on Hampshire Ambassadors please telephone or write to:-
Hannah Payne
Tel: (01962) 845745
Email: hannah.payne@hants.gov.uk
Hampshire Ambassadors
PO Box 210
WINCHESTER
Hampshire SO23 8WE
Hampshire County Council, The Castle, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 8ZB
This page was last updated by Economic Development on 23 January 2008. © Copyright Hampshire County Council 2010.