Mansfield and Ashfield 2020 has continued its work to better serve members as devolution approaches.

Chair Jane Box has revealed that the Board has been restructured to help attract funding, further help businesses, and give then a voice.

“I am very excited and proud to announce our new Board structure,” she said.

“We have seen a lot of change since our inception over 30 years ago. With Devolution around the corner, it is now more important than ever that we ensure our combined business voices are heard to attract the much-needed funding our area deserves.

“Myself, the current Board, and operations director Ella McManus have been working hard over the last 18 months to determine how we can better serve our members and our wider business community.

“The first stage of this was to enable a broader cross-section of businesses to be able to access our business meetings and networking events.

“Traditionally we have run one business breakfast meeting a month. Whilst this is still our flagship meeting, it did preclude a lot of businesses who were unable to attend at that time of the day.

“We have now introduced two additional monthly meetings — Women in Business luncheon and Pie and a Pint meeting after work — both of which are proving to be a great success.”

Jane explained that over the past six months they have focused on how the Board is structured and the needs of members and the business community.

Members were surveyed and feedback taken from a recent workshop on Devolution, which has led to the new direction and Board structure.

Previously the 2020 Board had not been structured around specific responsibilities, but now it will be.

“We believe that by changing this we will be able to achieve far greater support for our members,” Jane added.

“This new structure will also provide points of contact for our members to approach with their views, or business needs.

“The areas of responsibility were decided upon based on our member feedback and are in line with the Devolution areas and district councils’ Place Board themes for business.

“If you have never attended one of our meetings, please do come along and see for yourself how your business can benefit. Your first meeting is free and we’d love to see you there and help us build an even stronger business community.”

The next Business Breakfast will take place on Friday, 24th March at Portland College, from 7.30am to 9am.

Would-be members should register their business in the 2020 business directory and wait for an event invitation or contact operations director Ella McManus. More details are at https://mansfieldandashfield2020.com.

The next Women in Business event will be at Refined, West Notts College, on Wednesday, 1st March, from 12.30pm to 2.30pm.

The next Pie and a Pint event will be at The Travellers Rest, Sutton. on Wednesday, 8th March, from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.

The new 2020 Board

Education Employment and Skills – Louise Knott, West Notts College; and Emma McLaughlin, Fresh Start Recruiment
Environment and Net Zero – Hayley Woods, Woods of West Gate; and Marc Johnson, LivePay
Transport and Infrastructure – Coun Matthew Relf, Ashfield District Council; and Mansfield mayor Andy Abrahams
Local authority – Coun Matthew Relf, Ashfield District Council; and Mansfield mayor Andy Abrahams
Inward investment – Ian Jepson, B Jepson Ltd; and Jeremy Hague, Nottingham Trent University
Business Support – Hev Bingley, Calluna Associates; Martin Rigley, Lindhurst Engineering Ltd; and Jane Box, Your Property Management Ltd
Membership, Growth and Visibility – Louis Brown, Bee Noticed; and Stewart Rickersey, Mansfield, Ashfield and Sherwood News Journal