News: New directors for chamber

Gareth Owen and Richard Stewart have been elected as board directors at the Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce after Nick Cragg and Richard Staton stepped down after both serving for 10 years.

Mr Owen (pictured, right), partner at law firm hlw Keeble Hawson, has 30 years' experience as a commercial property lawyer working in South Yorkshire and beyond, and 20 years' experience as a partner helping to manage what is now one of the largest law firms in the region.

A former member of the Rotherham Enterprise Board, Mr Owen is actively involved in assisting Rotherham Investment & Development Office promote local start-up businesses. He has been a Chamber Council member for two years and is an active member of the Transport working group.

Mr Stewart (pictured, left) is a service manager at Bull Information Systems based in Barnsley. An experienced IT service delivery professional, he has worked in the managed services and solutions business for over 24 years.

Chamber President Chris MacCormac said: "I welcome Gareth and Richard as directors and am looking forward to working with him and seeing the fresh ideas they will bring to our operation. Both have already made important contributions to the Chamber and their experience will be an asset as we move forwards.

"I would also like to express a sincere thank you to Nick Cragg and Richard Staton, who have stepped down as directors after both serving for 10 years. Their expertise and endeavours on behalf of the Chamber have been valuable and we are pleased that they will both continue to be involved in the organisation in the future."

The local Chambers of Commerce recently hosted the inaugural Sheffield City Region Business Conference. The outcomes of the conference, and the debates which took place, will inform the launch of a "Statement of Business Priorities" on key themes by the chambers within the city region and a campaign picking up on the key issues raised by the statement will be explored in more detail throughout 2012.

Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber website

Images: brchamber.co.uk