New President for Bradford Chamber of Commerce

Bradford Chamber of Commerce has a new President following its annual elections on 20 July.

Victoria Wainwright takes over from Suzanne Watson, who has held the post for the last two years.  Victoria, Managing Director of Naylor Wintersgill Chartered Accountants, will now lead and represent the organisation at a non-executive level after being voted in by the business organisation’s members.  Exa Networks boss, Mark Cowgill, has also stepped up to Vice-President.

Victoria said after being elected:

“I’m honoured and excited to be taking on this position.  Times have been very challenging for many businesses for the last 18 months and anything I can do to support them, I will.  As we begin to emerge from the period of the pandemic, we will need a secure and vibrant business community to help rebuild the economy, create wealth and jobs, and make Bradford strong again.

“The Chamber will, as always, help to do that through effective lobbying and representation, liaising with relevant stakeholders, and providing support services to members to help them flourish.  Naylor Wintersgill has a long history of close association with the Chamber and I’m pleased to be able to help that continue.

“Suzanne has done a fantastic job for the last two years and so I hope that I can continue in her footsteps.  Mark and I will still have a great team around us but I hope that ‘Bradvocate’ Suzanne will stay close by if called upon.

“I’m looking forward to getting involved and working with partners and stakeholders at the earliest opportunity; and also, when conditions allow, of course, to meeting up face-to-face with as many members as possible. For now, we’ll be getting on with helping businesses with the post-Covid recovery, and maintaining the Chamber as the strongest and best voice of business.”

Victoria’s role includes chairing regular Leadership Group meetings, representing members on various external bodies, and being an ambassador for the Bradford District.