THE new president of Weymouth and Portland Chamber of Commerce has urged businesses to start thinking outside the box.

Michelle Hinds, of Redferns Solicitors, was elected president last month at the Chamber's AGM and replaces last year's president Julie Cleaver.

Ms Hinds is joined on the Chamber's executive committee by new vice-president, Scott Aitken, of Tecan. Mike House, of Albert Goodman, will remain as treasurer.

In a speech, Ms Hinds said: "We need to out-innovate, out-educate and out-build our competitors and we cannot do this if we stand alone, which is why the Chamber of Commerce is your voice, the voice of businesses.”

The newly elected president called on businesses to start spreading the word that now is the time to invest in the area.

It was reported that 2014 had been a good year for the Chamber’s finances, making a surplus after tax of £3,700.

Ms Hinds thanked outgoing president, Julie Cleaver, for her determination and hard work.

In her final address, Ms Cleaver looked back at what had been achieved over the past year.

The audience heard how the Chamber had been involved in major projects like the Weymouth Town Centre Master Plan, the launch of the Jurassica Project and the first year of the Weymouth BID.

Mrs Cleaver noted the Chamber's affiliation with the Dorset Chamber of Commerce and the first Apprenticeship Fair held in March last year where Lord Digby Jones addressed young people and the business community.

She said: “The Chamber has grown from strength to strength over the past 5 years.

"The membership numbers have remained pretty much constant during that time at around 150 during the year with businesses joining and leaving along the way but I think it is true to say that we are a ‘constant’ in the town and represent a solid chunk of the local economy including tourism, engineering, marine, service industries and retail to name a few.”

Tributes were paid to ex-presidents Andy Cooke, of Getaway Digital, and Mark Blunden, of Futurum, who both stepped down from the executive committee at the meeting after years of service.