British Chambers’ Director General to step down
The board of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has announced that Director General Dr Adam Marshall will leave the organisation in the spring of 2021.
He has been Director General for five years and has been part of the leadership team of the BCC for almost 12 years. He leaves the organisation with an enhanced profile and impact, a stable financial position, strong governance and a record number of female leaders amongst its non-executive and executive leadership.
Working closely with the Board, Dr Marshall will remain at the helm until the end of the financial year on March 31, 2021, and will ensure a smooth and effective transition with his successor. He will leave the organisation with the respect and gratitude of the board, staff, Chambers and members across the UK and worldwide. He has not yet announced his future plans.
Dr Marshall said: “Chamber business communities represent the best of British business. It has been an honour and a privilege to serve this civic-minded, passionate, and purposeful network for nearly twelve years. I feel the time is right to hand over to a great successor who will continue the fight for our business communities during the period of renewal ahead.”
Sarah Howard, Chair of the BCC, said: “I know I speak for so many Chamber members, here in the UK and across the world, when I say that Adam will be missed. He took over at a time of great uncertainty but has led BCC confidently to its strongest position in years. Chambers have never been more relevant or more necessary than they are today and together with the BCC Board, I will be leading a search over the coming weeks to identify a suitable successor to build on the BCC’s achievements and lead the organisation into the future.”
BCC President Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith CBE added: “Adam’s commitment to UK businesses, communities and diversity is one of many reasons I was excited to become President of BCC this year. He has dedicated great energy and passion to the organisation, and leaves the BCC and the Chamber Network in a stronger position at this critical moment for our businesses and for our country.”
Dr Marshall has overseen a modernisation of the 160-year-old organisation, with higher levels of public engagement and visibility leading to much-increased impact in Westminster and Whitehall on the key issues facing UK business communities.
Under his leadership, the BCC has also expanded its scope to represent British businesses globally, with a global network that now covers 62 markets worldwide. He has also overseen the development of the new ChamberCustoms service, which will support companies with export and import declarations and other practical trade matters as businesses enter a new era of trade outside of the EU single market.
Most recently, the BCC under Dr Marshall’s direction has played a leading role in securing wide-ranging support for businesses hit by the coronavirus lockdown and the resulting economic turbulence, as well as continuing to push for answers to the key questions facing businesses as the Brexit transition comes to an end.
The search for a new Director General will be assisted by Dominic Schofield, Managing Partner of the Board & CEO Practice and his team at search agency Korn Ferry.
© Cumbria Chamber of Commerce