THE commercial boss of the Daily Echo has joined the board of Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI).

Vincent Boni, managing director of Newsquest Dorset, brings to the organisation a wealth of experience in business and the media.

The chamber represents 700 members who employ almost 37,000 people in the county.

Mr Boni joins nine other non-executive members on a board headed by chief executive Ian Girling.

He said: “I’ve been involved in the media since leaving university in 1984 and have worked with daily newspapers, weekly newspapers, magazines, sat on the board of radio stations and looked closely at broadcast businesses.

“There is little in the media I haven’t been involved in.

“I’m delighted to join Ian Girling and the rest of these august business people and work closely with them on developing Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry under its new chief executive.”

He said there were now growing signs of recovery among Dorset businesses.

“The conurbation is a showpiece of business excellence, optimism and determination to meet challenges head-on,” he said.

“I’ve been amazed by the grit and creativity that I’ve seen within the business community over the last three years as the economy shows signs of improving. I’m looking forward to working on the board to face these challenges and opportunities.”

The move strengthens DCCI’s link with Newsquest, which publishes the chamber-sponsored Dorset Business magazine alongside the Briefing section in the Daily Echo and its daily business coverage.

Mr Boni said: “The Echo has a long and trusted association with the chamber and enjoys strong marketing links in terms of the Dorset Business magazine and website, dorsetbusiness.co.uk “The audience for the Newsquest titles in Dorset has never been bigger and the website achieved 10 million page impressions and one million unique users last month.”

Ian Girling, DCCI’s chief executive, said: “Speaking on behalf of the president and the other directors, we are delighted to welcome Vincent Boni to the board of Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

“We see our relationship with the Echo as extremely important and a valuable relationship in terms of supporting our local business community.

“We think Vincent will provide a stimulating and challenging input to the board.”

Mr Boni lists his number one interest outside work as sailing. He has two sons – one, aged 22, in the final year of a business degree at Bristol University, and one, aged 15, at Corfe Hills School.

He lives in Broadstone with his younger son.

The members of the DCCI board

Chief executive – Ian Girling.
Non-executive directors – President: Paul Collins (MD, Westover Group).
Senior vice president: Rob Mitchell (commercial director, AFC Bournemouth).
Junior vice president: David McNair (hospital director, Nuffield Health Bournemouth Hospital).
Honorary treasurer: Stephen Mills (Partner, Grant Thornton UK).
Honorary solicitor: Alan Arnold (consultant, Steele Raymond).
Chairperson of the council: Monica Seeley (Mesmo Consultancy).
Ex officio non-executive directors: Chris Slocock (MD, The Minster Press), Professor Dean Patton (deputy dean, Business School, Bournemouth University), Ian Govier (tax director, Inspire Professional Services); Vincent Boni (MD, Newsquest Dorset).