Member Article

Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce invests in senior team

The leading business organisation in Coventry and Warwickshire, that provides events, support and a voice to firms in the region, has invested to strengthen its senior team.

The Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce has appointed Martyne Manning as policy manager, Chris Nagle as the events and marketing manager, Hazel Pilling as membership manager and James Ahearne as the manager of the international trade hub.

The move is part of the Chamber’s growth which has seen it increase the number of events it offers – from small workshops through to its annual conference in November. It has also incorporated new strands of membership, offers even greater support for companies trading overseas and has its enhanced policy work that looks at sub-regional issues across its five branches.

Louise Bennett, the chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “The Chamber, locally and nationally, has never been more relevant and has never provided a stronger voice for business as it does now.

“For well over a century, this Chamber has been helping businesses to grow – through recessions, depressions and even war. So we have the foundations and the experience to offer support to companies of every size and every sector.

“That includes a comprehensive events programme, differing membership packages, international trade advice for companies who are exporting across the globe as well as providing a voice for businesses at a local, regional and national level.

“It was the perfect time, therefore, to strengthen the team here at the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce across those four key elements of what we offer.

“We wanted to invest in the team and we are delighted with our ‘fab four’ who have moved into the senior roles within the Chamber.

“And, with our annual economic conference coming up in November, it’s a great opportunity for Martyne, Chris, Hazel and James to meet businesses and decision makers across the patch and discuss their new, enhanced roles and what they bring to our businesses.”

Chris has a wealth of experience in conference and events in a range of roles within hotels and venues as well as sourcing venues for large corporate clients. More recently he headed up business development at The Manufacturing Technology Centre before moving to his new role at the Chamber.

James has nearly ten years of experience in international trade in a variety of roles. He has previously led trade missions around the world and hosted foreign delegations to the UK to promote British products and services. He has also worked as an international trade adviser for the Department of International Trade.

Hazel has previously worked within the publishing industry at Trinity Mirror and Northcliffe Media, including as advertising director. Through that role, she gained extensive knowledge of the economic landscape and businesses across the region and will now support, nurture and develop Chamber members to ensure their growth and longevity across the region.

Martyne has over 20 years’ experience as a senior marketing communications consultant before joining the Chamber. Supporting hundreds of SMEs, she has first-hand experience of how business growth can be stalled by red tape and how major issues can affect business confidence. Her aim is to ensure policies are evolved in line with the needs of local SMEs.

Pictured (left to right): Hazel Pilling, Chris Nagle, Louise Bennett, James Ahearne, Louise Wall (group commercial director at the Chamber), Martyne Manning

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Matt Joyce .