Chamber unveils new directors in expanded and enhanced board
Cumbria Chamber of Commerce is delighted to welcome a quartet of leading business figures from across the county to its board.
The four senior business leaders from across the manufacturing, engineering, business services and travel sectors have joined as non-executive directors.
Bringing their expertise and specialist knowledge, the introduction of the four new board members brings fresh thinking and renewed energy as the organisation continues to take a leading role in Cumbria, helping navigate the region and its businesses through the post-pandemic recovery.
The new directors
- Anand Puthran, CEO at McMenon Engineering Services
- Andrew Burrell, Director at Enable Success
- Barry Leahey MBE, CEO at Playdale Playgrounds Ltd
- Tom Waterhouse, Operations Director at Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire
Continuing directors
- Allan Wilson, Chair of the board and Engineering Manager at Pirelli Tyres
- Alan Wilson, Managing Director at L & W Wilson (Endmoor) Ltd
- Edward O’Keeffe, Managing Director at Furness Internet Limited
- Suzanne Caldwell, Managing Director at Cumbria Chamber of Commerce
The additions follow the resignations from the board of Clare Smeaton and former Chief Executive Rob Johnston, and continues a year of change for the Chamber after Suzanne Caldwell was promoted to Managing Director at the start of the year.
Allan Wilson, Chamber President and chair of the board, said: “Cumbria Chamber of Commerce exists for our members and the Board is made up from Chamber members and our MD.
“I am delighted to welcome four new Directors to the Chamber Board. Anand, Andrew, Barry and Tom bring an enormous depth and breadth of knowledge and experience over several economic sectors.
“The Chamber has developed over the past decade to become the face and voice of Cumbrian business, from supporting individual businesses to campaigning nationally on behalf of Cumbria meanwhile the Chamber also provides a wide range of business services.
“The experience of the new directors will further reinforce the existing board and I look forward to working with them to lead Cumbria Chamber of Commerce to the next phase of its development.”
These changes also continue to ensure that the board represents not only a cross-section of industries but also all areas of Cumbria from Carlisle to Barrow and the west coast to the Eden Valley.
Suzanne said: “I’m very excited to officially and publicly announce the four new additions to the board. They’ve now completed their induction and participated in their first board meeting so we feel now is the right time to share this good news.
“Anand, Andrew, Barry and Tom are each key figures and leaders in their fields and will bring an arsenal of experience, knowledge and insight to help the Chamber continue in its role as the leading voice and business representative organisation.
“Cumbria is at a crossroads with the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and Brexit being felt more than in most other areas and giving businesses particular challenges such as the current labour shortages. It is vital that the Chamber board has the best personnel within both its staff and its board to meet these challenges, and that is what we’ve aimed to do with bringing these four onto the board.”
Speaking on his appointment, Barry Leahey MBE said: “I am thrilled to have joined the Board of the Cumbria Chamber of Commerce. The last 18 months has been a challenge for everyone and the Chamber are at the forefront of supporting business in the county.
“I am passionate to help and ensure Cumbria truly builds back better. I may have ample experience in exporting and manufacturing but my experience in leadership and entrepreneurship can be called upon too in this role.”
Fellow new board member, Anand Puthran added: “We have amazing, innovative businesses in Cumbria and irrespective of their size or nature, the Chamber plays a vital role in connecting companies across Cumbria providing them with many useful services and benefits. As a member of the Board, I am keen to support the Chamber and its members building new relationships, and trade successfully locally, nationally and globally, while improving our communities and our environment.”
Originally from Wensleydale, Tom Waterhouse has worked across the country before settling in Cumbria and said: “I’m really excited to have joined the board of the Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, at what is an interesting and challenging time for the business community in our county.
“This recent period has been extremely difficult for many businesses in Cumbria, but as we move forward, this will also present us with many
opportunities. I’m incredibly passionate about Cumbria, and in particular how the Chamber can both offer practical day to day support for our members, along with campaigning for national policies that will help strengthen and build our business community.”
Appleby-based Andrew Burrell added: “My passion is about data and what it can do to bring value to business and I truly believe that Cumbria needs to be at the forefront of how technology can support and help grow both traditional and new businesses as well as the quality of life in general in rural areas.
“Digital transformation could even help us surpass some of the more traditionally viewed business centres in the country and the Chamber must continue to be at the heart of this to voice what, we the business, want and need.”
© Cumbria Chamber of Commerce