Cumbria Chamber of Commerce has welcomed four leading business figures from across the county to its board.
The four senior business leaders from across the manufacturing, engineering, business services and travel sectors have joined as non-executive directors.
The new directors are
- Anand Puthran, CEO at McMenon Engineering Services
- Andrew Burrell, director at Enable Success
- Barry Leahey MBE, CEO at Playdale Playgrounds Ltd
- Tom Waterhouse, operations director at Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire
They will join continuing directors
- Allan Wilson, Chair of the board and engineering manager at Pirelli Tyres
- Alan Wilson, managing director at L & W Wilson (Endmoor) Ltd
- Edward O’Keeffe, managing director at Furness Internet Limited
- Suzanne Caldwell, managing director at Cumbria Chamber of Commerce
The new appointments follow the resignations from the board of Clare Smeaton and of former chief executive Rob Johnston, and continues a year of change for the Chamber after Suzanne Caldwell was promoted to managing director at the start of the year.
Allan Wilson, who is also chamber president, said: “I am delighted to welcome four new directors to the board. Anand, Andrew, Barry and Tom bring an enormous depth and breadth of knowledge and experience over several economic sectors.
“The chamber has developed over the past decade to become the face and voice of Cumbrian business, from supporting individual businesses to campaigning nationally on behalf of Cumbria meanwhile the chamber also provides a wide range of business services.
“The experience of the new directors will further reinforce the existing board and I look forward to working with them to lead Cumbria Chamber of Commerce to the next phase of its development.”
Mrs Caldwell said: “Cumbria is at a crossroads with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit being felt more than in most other areas and giving businesses particular challenges such as the current labour shortages.
“It is vital that the chamber board has the best personnel within both its staff and its board to meet these challenges, and that is what we’ve aimed to do with bringing these four onto the board.”
Mr Leahey said: “The last 18 months has been a challenge for everyone and the chamber are at the forefront of supporting business in the county.
“I am passionate to help and ensure Cumbria truly builds back better. I may have ample experience in exporting and manufacturing but my experience in leadership and entrepreneurship can be called upon too in this role.”
Mr Puthran added: “I look forward to supporting the chamber in connecting businesses across Cumbria, building new relationships, and helping businesses trade successfully locally, nationally and globally, while improving our communities and our environment.”
Originally from Wensleydale, Mr Waterhouse has worked across the country before settling in Cumbria and said: “This recent period has been extremely difficult for many businesses in Cumbria, but as we move forward, this will also present us with many opportunities. I’m incredibly passionate about Cumbria, and in particular how the Chamber can both offer practical day to day support for our members, along with campaigning for national policies that will help strengthen and build our business community.”
Mr Burrell added: “My passion is about data and what it can do to bring value to business and I truly believe that Cumbria needs to be at the forefront of how technology can support and help grow both traditional and new businesses as well as the quality of life in general in rural areas.
“Digital transformation could even help us surpass some of the more traditionally viewed business centres in the country and the chamber must continue to be at the heart of this to voice what, we the business, want and need.”
