The Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce celebrated International Women’s Day 2019 on 5 March at Cumberland Hotel in Bournemouth.

Vice President, Heather Martyn of BCTC organised the celebratory event around the topic of ‘Diversity’ and ‘Inclusion’ based on real life experiences and how the term ‘Diversity and Inclusion’ risks becoming another label. The inter-active event clarified what diversity and inclusion really means, both generally and contextually for Bournemouth businesses, to inform and challenge individual perspectives and to contribute to the promotion of Bournemouth businesses, being employers of choice, locally, regionally and nationally.

Guest speakers were Tim Petransky, diversity and inclusion consultant, and the Army’s BAME ‘lead’ for Southern England, Minaxi Mistry, diversity and inclusion champion, the Asian Media Group’s corporate sponsor, successful working mother and Mark Pountain CBE, former HR Director and MD, now Managing Partner of CapRising, a business management consultancy (Chair).

The event was very successful and the discussions were engaging. Indian snacks were provided to mark the occasion by Sarah Ali Choudhury, as were pancakes to also celebrate National Pancake Day.

Photo credit: Paul Thompson from Oak Photography