New president appointed to lead Burton & District Chamber

A new president was appointed to steer the Burton & District Chamber of Commerce for the upcoming year during their Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Richard Wileman, principal of Select Car Leasing Burton was confirmed yesterday as the new president. Chris Else, managing partner of Else Solicitors was announced as the vice president.

The AGM was held at the Pirelli Stadium with the attendance of Chamber members and guests. It was hosted by Richard Brooks, head of Cannock Chase and Burton & District Chambers of commerce.

Other committee members include;

• John Beaty – principal of Burton and South Derbyshire College
• Richard Faulkner – director of Alexander Accountancy
• Russell Jeans – chief executive and principal recruiter of Sefton & Associates limited
• Thomas Deery – enterprise manager of East Staffordshire Borough Council
• Paula Senior – fundraising and partnership manager of YMCA
• Rob Page – founder of Rob Page Consulting
• Rohit Parmar –managing director of Pattrn Data
• Shaun Gray - European managing director of Ginho Group

Speaking at the AGM, Richard Brooks said: “Today marks a significant transition as we bid farewell to some esteemed members of our executive committee.

“Shaun Gray, our outgoing president, has led with great strength through the challenges of recent years. His vision and leadership have been the cornerstone of our chamber's survival.

“While Shaun steps down from his role as president, he will remain on our chamber committee as he transitions to new responsibilities with the Global Chamber, his impact has been enormous. Thank you, Shaun, for your exceptional leadership and personal guidance.

“Additionally, we bid a fond farewell to Nik Hardy, our honorary president and VP, who has been an integral part of our chamber for many years.

“Nik's contributions have been invaluable, and we hope to continue benefiting from his wisdom and support in the future from a distance, as he now steps back from the committee.

“We also extend our appreciation to Andy Johnson, who is stepping down from the committee.

President Richard Wileman said: “I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside such dedicated individuals who share a common goal along with the prosperity and growth of our beloved community.

“Over the past year, our chamber has faced unprecedented challenges. Yet, in the face of adversity, our members have demonstrated resilience, innovation, and unwavering commitment. Together, we have navigated uncertain times, adapted to new realities, and emerged stronger than ever.

“From supporting local businesses through initiatives like our Shop Local campaign to advocating for policies that foster economic development, we have made significant strides in advancing the interests of our members and the broader community.

“As we look to the future, we stand at a pivotal moment. The landscape of business is evolving rapidly, presenting both opportunities and challenges. It is incumbent upon us to remain agile, forward-thinking, and proactive in our approach.

“By harnessing the collective expertise, creativity, and passion of our members, I am confident that we will continue to drive positive change and make a lasting impact on the prosperity and well-being of our community.”

During the event, Ollie Fox and Christina Marshall from Staffordshire County Council spoke about the funding available for SMEs.

Meanwhile, YMCA Burton was announced as the chosen Chamber charity for 2024/25. The charity supports those affected by homelessness, providing a place to sleep for 71 people every night while offering family mediation and counselling. They also operate a foodbank which recently had an unprecedented demand.

Paula Senior, fundraising managing of YMCA Burton gave an overview of the charity.

She said: “We are delighted to have been chosen as the Burton & District Chamber Charity of the year for 2024.

“We are supported by local companies who value the impact we have across Burton & East Staffordshire communities.

“As Chamber members ourselves, we also understand and value the impact that members businesses have across the area and look forward to working closely this year to raise awareness of our work and fundraising.”

Richard continued: “As we reflect on the past year and look ahead to the future, let us remain committed to fostering growth, collaboration, and prosperity within our business community.

“Together, we will continue to build upon the foundation laid by our predecessors, embracing new opportunities and overcoming challenges with resilience and determination.”

Pictured from left to right: Burton & District Chamber of Commerce president Richard Wileman, head of Burton & District Chamber of Commerce Richard Brooks , GBCC director of membership Lillian Elekan, and Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce president Nasir Awan