Chamber News

Neville Reyner reminisces on his time with Herts Chamber, as he prepares to retire

Having moved into semi-retirement in Lincolnshire earlier this year, I will be stepping down as President of Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce (HCoC) at the end of 2021.

It has been a long journey for me at HCoC, I recall joining the board in the mid 1990’s invited by the then CEO Tim Hutchings, when I was Managing Director of Electronic Products Group, Mitsubishi Electric UK Ltd. Eventually I became the Chairman of HCoC and of Exemplas Holdings, of which HCoC was then a major shareholder. The journey has been a pleasant, rewarding and enjoyable experience throughout which I have witnessed changes in government, changes of policy initiatives and so on, but the Chamber of Commerce has remained a stable presence within Hertfordshire. In fact, HCoC is rapidly approaching a proud 100 years in business. During my many years as Chairman I have met Prime Ministers, MP’s and key figures in the public sector and charities. I have enjoyed meeting and working with some of our long term and newer chamber members either on a one to one basis or at events and dinners, a very valued experience. In my time at Herts Chamber, I have experienced working with three CEO’s and spent a period of a year and half as acting CEO as well as Chairman, before moving to the new position of President, in 2019. It was a great honour during my chairmanship to become involved with the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) at board level firstly as the East of England regional representative, then Vice President, and after a “hustings” debate throughout the UK, to have been appointed President and Chairman of the Board of the BCC in 2011. As Vice President of Eurochambres in Brussels, representing some 20 million enterprises throughout the European Chamber of Commerce network, I was invited to serve on the European Commission Cluster Policy group for my knowledge of cluster development. I recall meeting Jean- Claude Trichet, the President of European Central Bank (ECB), over lunch on the top floor of the euro tower in Frankfurt and looking down at an efficient flowing rail infrastructure. I had the great honour of speaking in the European Parliament. In the UK I sat on the board of UK India Business Council too and one of many exciting memories I have, was speaking at the famous Oxford Union. It wasn’t always a good time in the BCC because there was a concerted move at that time by Core City Chambers to pull away from the BCC. These were quite stressful times, but I did eventually prevent the breakup of the BCC. While at the BCC I travelled throughout the UK and attended many gala evening functions run by Chambers of Commerce, and thought, ‘Why don’t we run one of these in Hertfordshire?’ which led to the formation of the Inspiring Hertfordshire Awards, in 2012. I always wanted these awards to become the Rolls Royce of events in Hertfordshire, and I wish to commend Briege Leahy, Naomi Powell and their team for their work in achieving what I initially wished. In the UK we have what is called a voluntary chamber membership model, whereas in Germany and France for example they have public law status. In the UK, this allows for other membership organisations to compete with the Chambers of Commerce, but as an accredited Chamber of the BCC network, we are a member of a global brand. Through our membership of the BCC, we have access to a global network and that of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) based in Paris. I can’t forget the largest trading block, the EU, and although Brexit was voted for, UK companies will need to continue to trade in the EU and Chambers of Commerce stand ready to assist. Its potential value to members is enormous. So, as I step down, I leave a sound legacy with good management, good and up to date governance in place and a positive future ahead for Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce which I am especially proud of. Although now living in Lincolnshire I have already been recruited onto the Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce Council and will be a guest speaker at an event in Scunthorpe in October on the subject of the governments levelling up agenda. Therefore, I am still involved in what I strongly believe in, the value of Chambers of Commerce. Thank you to all our members.

Best regards Neville Reyner CBE DL Hon.DLitt BSc MBA CEng FIET FRSA FIoD

During my many years as Chairman I have met Prime Ministers, MP’s and key figures in the public sector and charities. I have enjoyed meeting and working with some of our long term and newer chamber members either on a one to one basis or at events and dinners, a very valued experience.