New Chamber Presidents

West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce is proud to welcome new presidents and vice presidents to office.

Rebecca Fitzgerald, Yorkshire Building Society’s Director of Data and AI, has become president of Bradford Chamber of Commerce, taking over from Mark Cowgill, acquisitions director at the Talk Straight Group. She will be joined by Scott Wilson, director at Bradford manufacturer Christeyns.

In Leeds, Love in Care managing director Aqila Choudhry MBE has become president of Leeds Chamber of Commerce, having taken over from Sound Leisure MD Chris Black. She is joined by Alastair Gordon, director at Arup, who now becomes the Chamber’s vice president.

And in York, Scott Jenkins, sales and operations director with Autohorn, has become president of York & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, taking over from Sarah Czarnecki, director of the Business School at York St John University. An appointment for a vice president in York & North Yorkshire is anticipated in the coming weeks.

All presidents serve a two-year term, with the current vice presidents then due to takeover in 2027.

Amanda Beresford, chair of West North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “We are delighted to have welcomed three top notch presidents to our network.

“Rebecca, Aqila and Scott are so well-regarded and respected in their fields and will be fantastic advocates for their individual regions.

“We welcome Scott and Alastair too, who will be first class in their roles.

“With a newly expanded geography and ambitious plans for the years ahead, we look forward to serving the needs of our members to the full and to campaign for our region’s economy to thrive in an ever-changing world.”

Rebecca said: “It is an honour to be elected president of Bradford Chamber of Commerce.

“Bradford is my home and, in its year as City of Culture has ignited civic pride and a shared determination to lead with purpose.

“I look forward to seeing it prosper in the years ahead and will do my all to see it be the success it deserves to be.”

Aqila said: “I am so proud to be elected president of Leeds Chamber of Commerce. We are a leading city and one that is globally relevant on so many areas.

“I will do my best to represent our members’ interests and be an ambassador for the city.”

Scott said: “It is a proud moment to take on the role of President of York & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce.

“To take on the role of President is a privilege and a responsibility I am honoured to accept.

“York & North Yorkshire has an incredible business community, and I’m looking forward to contributing to its continued progress.”

The appointments come after the Chamber staged its Annual General Meeting at Bradford’s Cedar Court Hotel.

A sold-out audience of more than 100 people heard from Morrisons chief executive Rami Baitiéh. In a question and answer session with Chamber CEO James Mason Mr Baitiéh talked about his approach to leadership and what he felt made Morrisons such a special business for shoppers living in its home county of Yorkshire.