Commonwealth Chamber appoints new leader

A key appointment has been made to lead the Greater Birmingham Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce through a crucial period - as Birmingham prepares to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Stefanie Bowes, (pictured) international business manager for the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce group, is to become the Commonwealth Chamber 's divisional lead.

Stefanie joined the GBCC in May 2020, moving from Birmingham Airport where she was travel trade and corporate relationship manager.

She has had a varied career in both the aviation and healthcare sectors.

Her early career was spent at BMI and BMI Baby as a member of the cabin crew, and she also worked for Lloyds Pharmacy, as assistant to the contracts manager, supporting new business tenders and Virgin Care, where her role was to establish new GP practices, in the Midlands and the South.

While at BMI she spent nine months living in Sweden.

At Birmingham Airport, her role was to build relationships with airlines, travel management companies, and tour operators in order to build up passenger numbers.

Stefanie also became involved in various tourism initiatives to increase the number of visitors to the Midlands.

She has a strong track record of working with tourism partners such as the West Midlands Growth Company and also sat on the board for Shakespeare 's England.

As divisional lead, Stefanie will spearhead the Commonwealth Chamber 's activities as it looks to capitalise on bilateral trade opportunities arising from the Games.

She said: “2022 is a big year for Birmingham and the Greater Birmingham Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce and I am extremely excited to be supporting and driving bilateral trade activity with Commonwealth nations in line with the Business Legacy of the Birmingham 2022 Games.

“I look forward to continuing engagement through our global collaborations and partnerships, working to help maximise the opportunities for our region and to ensure that the GBCCC moves into the next phase with its committee and members. ”

The Chamber 's international director Mandy Haque said: “I am delighted that Stefanie will be leading the Commonwealth Chamber division in such an important year, where there will be a great deal of activity with our Commonwealth nations around the Birmingham 2022 Games and bilateral trading opportunities.

“Stef has already been integral to the success of the division, but now is the right time to increase the focus and drive forward with our partners and members to help support the lasting business legacy of the Games and assist our members to trade with Commonwealth markets.

“The relationships that Stef has nurtured over the past year with High Commissions and trade bodies have been invaluable and next year will see those gain even more importance to help support trade for our members. ”

Find out more information on the Commonwealth Chamber.