A businesswoman who received royal recognition for promoting female entrepreneurship has been inducted as the new president of East Midlands Chamber.
Eileen Richards MBE, founder and managing director of ER Recruitment in Leicester, took over the chains of office from Dawn Edwards at the chamber’s annual general meeting on Friday, December 11.
She is the co-founder of the chamber’s Enterprising Women network, which will mark its 25th year in 2022, and has been a board member for more than three years.
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In her first speech as president, Eileen set out three priorities for the year ahead – to encourage inter-membership relations and trading; support the region’s future business leaders; and lobby hard in Government for investment to aid the East Midlands’ post-Covid economic recovery.
Eileen, who was vice-president in 2020, said: “The chamber plays a huge role in the region and it’s an organisation I’ve worked with pretty much the entire time I have been in business.
“I have experienced first-hand the excellent range of services available to members, and have witnessed the incredible talent and experience we have on our board – not least from Dawn, who has done such a fantastic job in difficult circumstances as president.
“I feel really honoured to become president for 2021 as it’s a fantastic accolade that comes with great responsibility. I’ll carry out the role of president like I run my business – the members will be at the heart of everything we do, just like people are in recruitment.
“I might not be able to solve the economic recovery all on my own but I’d like to get some great individuals and businesses together within our membership to make a difference.
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“Hopefully, in 12 months’ time, people can see what we’ve achieved.”
East Midlands Chamber chief executive Scott Knowles added: “Eileen is dedicated to supporting the Chamber and its members as they navigate post-pandemic and post-Brexit – two of the greatest challenges to the 海角视频 economy happening simultaneously.
“She is already a leading voice in the business community and her role as president of the Chamber will give her the platform to showcase what she is passionate about – the amazing business community we have here in the East Midlands.
“I look forward to working very closely with Eileen in what will prove to be an interesting year for business.”
In her outgoing speech, Dawn, founder and managing director of Nottinghamshire-based Challenge Consulting, reflected on a “rollercoaster” year in office that has been disrupted by coronavirus and the count-down to Brexit.
She said: “I am incredibly proud to have been able to represent the business community in the East Midlands, and to have been given a platform and a voice at a time so critical to business.
“Being a collective business voice and the many lobbying activities that the chamber engages in have been incredibly powerful – the fruits of which can be seen in some of the decisions and support packages provided by the Government.
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“The year ahead will no doubt also be a challenging one. With the Brexit transition period coming to an end and negotiations still ongoing, we must continue to make our collective voice heard.
“The past year has proven how vital it is for us all to work together. Alliances, partnerships and collaborations have been forged in the most unlikely of places, through the most unlikely of circumstances, and present a real opportunity for the future.
“I can now look ahead in the knowledge that I’m handing over the chains to someone who I admire hugely in Eileen, and I know she will bring her own brand of leadership and enthusiasm to the role.”
Scott said: “Dawn’s year as president has arguably been the most challenging for any president in recent years.
“The pandemic and its impact on the business community is well rehearsed by all of us and Dawn has navigated this, supporting the chamber, our members and the wider business community by holding to Government to account and being the leading voice for businesses at this critical time.
“Her tenacity and support for the SME community has been unfaltering and I want to thank her for her support to me and the wider chamber team during this time.”
As well as a new president, Lindsey Williams was named vice-president. She has been chief executive of Derbyshire-based Futures Housing Group since 2003 and is a passionate advocate for social housing.
Two new board members, Craig Brothers and Neil Williams, were appointed to replace Robert Mayo and Stephen Midgley, who have retired.
Craig is co-founder and managing director of Affari Media, a Nottingham-based creative marketing agency.
Neil has spent more than 30 years in the media and public relations profession, including working for GlaxoSmithKline and Rolls-Royce.
He is currently a PR manager based in the East Midlands at Amazon, which recently became a strategic partner of the chamber.