Ex-Chamber executive to become Assay Office chair

A Burton businessman has been named as the new chair of Birmingham Assay Office.

Russell Jeans, the former chief operating officer of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, will succeed Carol Brady next month.

Mr Jeans (pictured), a fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, and a postgraduate of Warwick Business School joined the Assay Office as a Guardian in 2020, followed by his appointment as a Warden in April 2021.

He spent 12 years at the GBCC and went on to become the founder and CEO of Sefton & Associates, a recruitment and management consultancy business that operates in the UK, Europe, and the US.

Carol Brady joined the Birmingham Assay Office as a Guardian in 2014 and was elected chair in 2018.

She said: “It has been a pleasure and a privilege to serve not only as a Guardian but as a Warden and, of course, be bestowed the auspicious position of chair.

“I want to thank everyone at the Birmingham Assay Office for their hard work, commitment, and dedication in making the office the success it is today. ”

Doug Henry, CEO and assay master, said: “Carol has been an excellent chair, bringing consistency, transparency and actively encouraging open communication amongst the team.

“Her attention to detail and pragmatic approach to the challenges we faced together has enabled us to make tangible progress in the development of the office.

“She will be greatly missed, and we thank her for the enormous contribution she has made to this business.

“We also welcome Russell to the role and are confident that his skills and experience will enable us to continue our progressive journey to become the global choice for assurance. ”

It also means that there will be a vacancy within the Warden 's committee.

The position will be filled from within the talented pool of Guardians.