BUSINESS NEWS
Jason Wouhra and Paul Faulkner
Paul receives special award
Thanks to Jerry I aim to hit the ground running
PAUL FAULKNER has now succeeded Jerry Blackett as chief executive of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce. The process has been largely seamless and here he explains how that was achieved.
F
irst of all, I would like to place on record my thanks to Jerry for the generous way he has handled my arrival at the Chamber. He couldn’t have made the process easier for me and
is an example of how a transitory period like this should be carried through. Inevitably there will be differences in style in the way
I approach the job but it is fair to say Jerry has left me with a vibrant organisation that has turned the corner of the economic challenges and is now looking forward to playing an increasingly important role in the life of Greater Birmingham and the West Midlands Combined Authority. These are exciting times on the policy front with the
increasing prospect of a combined authority embracing the Black Country, Birmingham, Solihull and Coventry being created.
‘In reaching out to Greater Birmingham’s diverse and talented range of business there is no better vehicle than the Chamber’
The Chamber will lead the business community in backing these proposals plus helping with the important issue of creating an elected mayor. It is vital that the right individuals are found for that election, which will now be for the combined region, not just for Birmingham, who rejected the idea a few years ago. HS2 will also be at the forefront of our minds as an
economic powerhouse in the West Midlands is created. Speed of connectivity is low on the list of the benefits that HS2 will bring to the region. A higher capacity on the trains, freeing up over-crowded existing routes, plus the huge investments that the whole region will attract are far more important. It was Jerry’s input on these issues that has been vital as I started the process of understanding what
makes the Chamber tick. It’s a complex and diverse operation, as Jerry was able to explain, but it offers a myriad of opportunities to benefit businesses of all sizes and types. Although I didn’t start work officially for the
Chamber until towards the end of June, I have been taking part in a number of meetings and other activities over the past few months, an experience that has proven to be invaluable. Working alongside Jerry has given me an insight into
how the Chamber supports Birmingham business interests across the board. As CEO of Aston Villa FC, I was able to become involved closely with the city’s business community over a number of years. But in reaching out to Greater Birmingham’s diverse
and talented range of business there is no better vehicle than the Chamber. It’s been around in the city for over 200 years and
has survived many changes of government, both locally and nationally, and has been able to cope with the various business support organisations successive governments have thrown at us – from Business Link, through the RDAs and now the LEPs. But throughout all of that the Chamber has remained
constant and unflagging as an apolitical organisation which is there to promote the interests of Greater Birmingham as a whole. And we look forward to playing leading role when a combined authority and elected mayor kicks in. We already have a Chamber network that largely mirrors that of the combined authority. I shall be working hard with colleagues from the
region’s Chamber network to assess what role West Midlands Chambers of Commerce can play in the early stages of the combined authority and its development. I am grateful to Jerry for his support in helping me
get my feet under the table and his guidance and support will stand me in good stead as I aim to hit the ground running. I look forward to working with you.
The Institute of Directors West Midlands has made a special award to incoming Chamber chief executive Paul Faulkner. IoD West Midlands chairman
Jason Wouhra nominated Paul as the winner of the IoD Chairman’s Award. It was, Jason said, in recognition of Paul’s ‘outstanding’ career in the fields of banking, sports management, recruitment and with the voluntary sector. It was the second piece of
good news Paul had received in a matter of days – his wife, Jane, having just given birth to their second child, Thomas James Faulkner. Paul’s award from IoD West
Midlands was made at the organisation’s annual awards event, which also saw Brian Hall of BHSF Employee Benefits named as West Midlands Director of the Year. IoD West Midlands regional
director John Phillips said: “Brian demonstrates all the qualities we need from modern directors: good strategy and vision but also an understanding of the ethics of good business. It is vital that any future business growth is built on sound business ethics. He is a role model for other directors to emulate.” John also praised Brian’s
commitment to his workforce, who benefit from his belief in the value of life-long learning as well as understanding that business needs to put something back into its local community. He added: “Brian was an early advocate of the two-way value of corporate social responsibility.” Brian received his accolade
at a breakfast awards ceremony organised by the IoD at Warwickshire County Cricket Club in front of an audience of more than 200 of the region’s business leaders. He was also named Director of the Year in the medium-sized business category.
JULY/AUGUST 2015 CHAMBERLINK7
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