JAN Ward, the director for international trade and membership at Southampton and Fareham Chamber of Commerce, has a new feather in her cap.

Trade Secretary Patricia Hewitt has appointed her to an influential sounding board which has the ears of and ability to influence the lawmakers at Westminster.

The Small business Council is an advisory non-departmental public body filtering the views of small businesses to government.

Jan said: "I am delighted to be joining the SBC and to bring with me a wide range of experience, which I hope I can use to the benefit of other entrepreneurs."