A part of the bigger picture (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

A part of the bigger picture

It is part of a global group of business people who spend a large chunk of their lives trying to make things a little bit better. And it is this noble quest which a new council at the Swindon Chamber of Commerce is doing their bit to achieve. KEVIN SHOESMITH reports.

SWINDON'S business community now has a new team driving it forward.

And Dennis Grant, chief executive of Swindon Chamber of Commerce, couldn't be happier.

Many of the new members hold or have held top positions in some of the town's biggest companies.

"This is the most experienced council we have had in years," said Mr Grant. "The town is privileged to have these people on board. All of them have a wealth of experience and sit right on the top of industry. They will prove invaluable to the future of Swindon."

Mr Grant believes the Chamber has at last struck an ideal balance between the world of heavy industry and the commercial sector.

"We have got it just right a nice mix of sectors including the larger and smaller businesses," he said.

And while concentrating on local issues, Mr Grant is keen to stress these members will also be on the national and international stage.

He said: "Swindon Chamber of Commerce belongs to a world chamber movement. Collectively we represent some 40 million businesses.

"It's not all discussions either it gets results. Our chamber is constantly liaising with others and it works."

It is this process of debate, said Mr Grant, that could result in thousands of new jobs being created on the former Renault site, for instance.

Swindon Council is set to sign a £17 million deal later this month.

"Without the help of the Chamber of Commerce that wouldn't have gone ahead," said Mr Grant.

"I am very much looking forward to working with our new council."

Les Durrant

Chairman and managing director of DPDS Consulting Group, was also president of the Chamber 20022003

"While some people in business are both able and inclined to engage directly in government consultation programmes and the activities of the local authority, many others have neither the time, skills or resources. The Chamber of Commerce has a key role to play fulfilling a representative role on behalf of its members.

Because of my background in planning, environment and economic development I have chaired the Chamber's specialist working group on such matters for a number of years, helping them submit views to Government, Swindon Council and other organisations in respect of a wide range of issues relating to transport, town planning and other aspects of government policy.

I have also represented the Chamber at a number of major public inquiries concerning issues such as regional development, housing, retailing and town centre regeneration."

John Owen

MD of Thamesdown Transport

"Traffic in Swindon is forecast to grow at double the national average. Most cars have just one occupant the driver.

Unless we do something while we have the opportunity, traffic gridlock has the ability to totally undermine the economic well-being of the town and its attraction for inward investors whether these be new businesses creating jobs or just shoppers.

We must encourage people to think each time they use their car. Is this journey really necessary? If so, could it be made by walking, cycling, car sharing or public transport?

We need to free up the roads for those who have no alternative but to use their car.

With bus lanes and a full complement of drivers, buses in Swindon are now more reliable than they have been for many years.

However, more needs to be done. Information about bus times at individual stops will be accessible by mobile phone later this year.

The business community needs to understand the economic impact of not having a properly balanced transport policy.

My membership of the Chamber enables me to get these views over to the town's business decision-makers and to listen to what they feel is necessary if public transport is to play its part in Swindon avoiding traffic gridlock in the future."

Robert Crowther of Best Computer Training

"Chance and circumstance in 2001 drove me to live near Swindon and start a small owner-managed business in the town centre, helping businesspeople get to grips with the complexities of IT and Microsoft in particular.

At the time, I knew no-one in the area, nor had any local business connections on which to build.

Once I had settled into the notion of being in business, a constructive step seemed to be to join the Chamber.

And I've met some pretty positive and effective people and found my focus is better placed, not on what I can get out of Chamber membership but what I can put in by way of contribution, to help Swindon Chamber develop as a more effective voice on behalf of local businesses.

Very different from being the sad businessman's drinking club it once was.

The invitation to join the Council came as a surprise I don't claim to have a magic aerosol, but I've been around in industry for several decades and am really very privileged to be able to put that at the disposal of the community."

Paul Newton-Smith of Pastiche Art Studio

"The reason I joined the Swindon Chamber of Commerce council is very simple.

I felt that unless businesses of all types and size were represented then it would not be able to fulfil its purpose as the business voice of Swindon.

It is vital Swindon has a strong Chamber of Commerce but this is only possible if the chamber team can relate to all its members from the multi-nationals right down to those working on their own.

I see my role on the council as a team member responsible for ensuring everything is in place for the Chamber to be an efficient and cost-effective organisation as well as ensuring that all business decisions are carried out. This in turn means other businesses can draw on the services offered to them so they become stronger and more profitable."