The managing director and founder of Liz Lean PR (LLPR) has been appointed as the new president of Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Liz Willingham, who founded Sandbanks-based Liz Lean PR in 1998, will be heading up Dorset Chamber for 2018/19 and she will be supported in her year of office by new senior vice president, Stephen Mills, and junior vice president, Warren Munson. Liz was presented with the title by outgoing president, Paul Tansey, at Dorset Chamber’s AGM held on Friday, December 7 at the Hallmark Hotel in Bournemouth.
During her inaugural presidential speech, Liz pledged to raise the profile of opportunities for young people across the county, and to help to highlight the importance of supporting wellbeing and mental health in the workplace. She also plans to help position Dorset Chamber, which celebrates its 70th anniversary in 2019, as approachable for young entrepreneurs who she described as ‘the future of the county’s business success.’ Liz also hopes to support the positioning of Dorset as a shining example of business excellence across the country.
Liz said: “I was thrilled when I was asked if I would be open to the role of president. It is a great honour to help steer and lead Dorset Chamber in partnership with a host of talented business men and women. I strongly believe that we have one of the most go-getting chambers in the UK, as there is an energy and vision which works to progress our business community and county.
“Having run my business from Dorset for 20 years and having been on the chamber’s board for the past two years, I feel confident that I can bring energy, enthusiasm and experience to the role. During my time as president, I would like to create some positive opportunities for the Dorset Chamber.”
Liz Lean PR has marked its 20th anniversary with new staff and a host of client and project wins. As well as strengthening its team by appointing an agency director and two consultants, LLPR secured a range of contracts including Hall & Woodhouse, the leading independent family-owned Dorset brewer with an established pub estate across the south, Bournemouth Development Company, Hoburne Group, and cruise line brand Royal Caribbean International. LLPR is now also working with one of the south’s largest privately-owned motoring groups, Westover Group, financial technology firm DJS (UK) Ltd, Dorset County Show, Encore Care Homes, Poole BID and Knoll House Hotel, as well as the Nuffield Health hospitals in Brighton and Chichester.
The team at the Sandbanks-based public relations and marketing communications agency have also carried out 20 acts of kindness throughout 2018 to mark the celebratory year including litter picks, litter-free lunches, sponsorship and donations to charity fundraising events, and complimentary ‘ask the expert’ sessions for local businesses.
Since its formation, Liz Lean PR has worked with clients in a variety of industry sectors, on both a national and regional scale, and it has successfully supported more than 160 firms with public relations, public affairs, strategic planning, marketing, crisis management, social media, corporate social responsibility projects and event management projects.
For more information, go to Lizleanpr.co.uk