Member Article

Date set for Chambers of Commerce merger vote

A date has now been set for member businesses to take a decision on the prospective merger between Leeds, York & North Yorkshire Chamber and Bradford Chamber of Commerce.

Extraordinary General Meetings for the two organisations will take place on Monday, 10 February 2014 with attendees being asked to vote in favour of the proposal.

Postal voting is also taking place during this month for those businesses unable to attend the meeting.

The Boards of Directors for the two business bodies are recommending the new ‘super-Chamber’ as the best way forward in terms of representation, business support and financial sustainability.

Bradford Chamber President, Paul Mackie, said: “While there may be some shared back-room services where savings could be made, the strong identities of these three great cities will be maintained.

“I will still be campaigning for Bradford but also for a stronger city-region partnership in which businesses are taking key decisions and actions that bring greater prosperity.

“We’re urging members to come along on 10 February and back the move.”

Leeds President Nigel Foster added: “I believe that this new venture can create a stronger economic landscape for the Leeds City Region.

“Most Chambers now operate at a regional level – Greater Manchester and the North East, for example; by joining forces, we would be the fifth largest Chamber in the country and have a stronger voice in lobbying decision-makers at all levels.”

Suzanne Burnett, President for the York & North Yorkshire area, said a merger also gave more opportunities for networking, as businesses would have the chance to attend events outside their core/traditional area: “Businesses don’t work in isolation and neither should Chambers.

“There is already considerable joint work and activity between our Chambers; we now need to take things to the next level.”

If the vote is carried (a two-thirds majority is needed within both organisations), changes would begin to take place in the following month.

The new body would be headed up by current Bradford Chamber Chief Executive Sandy Needham.

Leeds, York & North Yorkshire boss Len Cruddas will retire when the change occurs, having run both York & North Yorkshire Chamber and then Leeds, York & North Yorkshire as well.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .