Plymouth Chamber of Commerce announce new chair
Plymouth Chamber of Commerce has announced that Paul Woods, recently retired senior partner of Plymouth-based solicitors Wolferstans, will be taking on the role of the Chamber Chairman.
The announcement was made at the Chamber’s 200th Annual General Meeting, held on Wednesday 10 April 2013 at the National Marine Aquarium, where Chamber members old and new turned out for the annual update.
Douglas Fletcher is stepping down as Chairman after a highly successful three years in the role.
In his final speech at the annual meeting, Douglas reflected on the achievements of Plymouth Chamber and key initiatives it has helped to progress over the past year. He said:
“For the country as a whole I think this year has been another tough one, although there has been plenty of good news for Plymouth, including its successful bid for a City Deal and its confidence in bidding for City of Culture 2017, for which I wish all involved the very best of luck.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as Chairman of Plymouth Chamber over the past three years and I now hand over this role to Paul Woods, who I know will continue our work to ensure that the city is given every opportunity to grow and thrive.”
Incoming Chairman Paul Woods will become Chair of the Plymouth Growth Board and a board member of Destination Plymouth. He is also a Trustee of the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
Paul, a specialist in strategy and business development issues, said:
“I am delighted to be taking on the role of Chairman for Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, an organisation which enjoys a fantastic level of support from local companies and has done a great deal over the past 200 years to help the business community and to promote the city.”
The results of the Chamber’s annual Director Elections were also announced at the AGM.
Members of the board re-elected this year are: Richard Smith of Bright Solicitors, Rob Guy of YTKO, Ian Potts of Architects Design Group, Tim Jones of the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership, Carolyn Giles of Hardwick HR, Jacqui Shaw of Coralline Health and Nina Sarlaka of City College Plymouth.
David Parlby, Chief Executive of Plymouth Chamber, commented:
“We are delighted to welcome our new Chairman on board and I would like to congratulate those Directors who have been successfully re-elected.
“Our Board has an extensive array of skills and experience which would be difficult to find anywhere else in the city and all our Directors are extremely well-placed to make great contributions to the growth and expansion of business in Plymouth.”
For more information on the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, visit their website.
