Waverley Business Forum

Waverley Business Forum

Welcome to the Waverley Business Forum Website

Chairman – Seamus Grealish
Honorary Secretary – Joanne Aylwin
Honorary Treasurer – Paul Wenham

Contact the Business Forum
Kidd Rapinet,
Sovereign House,
17 South Street,
Farnham GU9 7QU
Tel: 01252 727660 Fax: 01252 727880
Email: JAylwin@kiddrapinet.co.uk

or c/o business.support@waverley.gov.uk

Welcome by the Chairman

I was elected Chairman of the Business Forum at the AGM in June 2008 and I look forward to chairing the Forum during the forthcoming year.

The Business Forum is a unique organisation which acts as a bridge between the businesses of Waverley and those who work on their behalf. Over the coming year I intend to build on the foundations of the Waverley Business Forum as a link between Waverley Borough Council and local businesses and to ensure the continuing application of the WBF tag line “the voice of local business”.

I am delighted to say that the Business Forum has the continuing support of Waverley Borough Council and that their Chief Executive, Mary Orton spoke at our recent AGM on how changes to Planning Policy will affect local businesses and how business can influence the changes.

Over the coming year I look forward to the Forum continuing to work with Waverley Borough Council and to specifically look at a number of critical policies for the Borough’s development framework in areas such as:

  • Housing
  • Recruitment and procurement
  • Relationship with SCC
  • Car parking
  • Local Strategic Partnership
  • Contact with Councils

    The Business Forum is an independent and self-funded organisation representing all commercial interests in the Borough – from sole traders to major international employers.

    If you’d like to get more involved, or find out how the forum can help your business, we’d like to hear from you.

    Seamus Grealish
    Chairman

    Waverley Business Forum - a history of achievement

    Formed in 1993, Waverley Business Forum is an independent partnership representing the business community, the four local Chambers of Commerce (Cranleigh, Farnham, Godalming and Haslemere) and Waverley Borough Council.

    Its primary aim is to improve the prosperity and quality of life in the borough, by developing relationships between businesses and between the business community and the Borough Council.

    The Forum is self-funding, with more than 30 sponsors representing a wide range of commercial and civic interests throughout the Borough.

    Action not words

    A fundamental principle of the Forum from the beginning has been that it is not a talking shop but was set up to get things done.

    Throughout its history the Forum has achieved this in two ways:

    For Sponsors -

    •   regular bi-monthly meetings of the Executive Committee to manage business activity;
    •   annual meetings with senior officers and members of Waverley Borough Council;
    •   annual Networking Lunch with key business support organisations;
    •   an annual Charity Golf Challenge

    For members (all Waverley businesses) -

    •   Business Advice Roadshows - the first time statutory and business support organisations have been brought together to provide free advice and practical workshops;
    •   Monthly Breakfast Briefings - providing information and training on key contemporary business issues;
    •   Ad hoc events with e.g. Institute of Directors and Surrey Economic Partnership, to improve networking and ensure Waverley businesses have a voice where it matters.

    in this way Waverley businesses have regular, structured access to key decision-makers, up-to-the-minute information on matters affecting their business and the opportunity to network effectively with other local companies.

    Waverley - we're well connected

    Travel Connections

    Waverley and South West Surrey are easily accessible, with Heathrow, Gatwick and Southampton International Airports and the ports of Southampton and Portsmouth all within an hour's drive. The A3 joins the M25 at junction 10, just 13 miles from the Borough; the Blackwater Valley Road (A331) joins the (A31) at Farnham to the M3 at Camberley.

    Farnham Station is served by the South West Trains mainline service from Waterloo via Woking, Farncombe, Godalming, Milford, Witley and Haslemere are on the South West Trains Waterloo-Portsmouth mainline service.

    Pages created by Grayswood Computer Services