A NEW leader for Bradford’s business community has been elected at the annual meeting of the Bradford Chamber of Commerce.

Nick Garthwaite, the managing director of hygiene solutions company Christeyns, was unanimously elected as the new president of the Chamber.

He succeeds Andy Caton, who has held the post for the last two years.
Mr Garthwaite has been involved with the Chamber’s policy development and lobbying activities for several years.

He will now chair regular policy development meetings of the Chamber, represent the local business community at external meetings, and act as a general business ambassador for the wider district.

Supporting Mr Garthwaite in his new role will be the Chamber’s new vice-president Suzanne Watson, the head of Ilkley-based public relations firm Approach PR.

Mr Garthwaite, of Menston, said he is looking forward to supporting local firms and helping to make Bradford an even better place to do business.

He said: “I’m delighted to have been elected to head up Bradford Chamber for the next two years.

“Andy has been a wonderful ambassador for Bradford, so I’ve got big boots to fill; but these are both exciting and challenging times for Bradford and the wider region of West and North Yorkshire, which our organisation represents, and I’m up for the job.

“We’ve already carried out a scoping exercise among our key policy group to look at what we need to focus on in months and years to come, but I’m also keen on hearing from other members on what their issues are going to be in the future.”

Christeyns, which is based in Rutland Street, Bowling, produces oils, soaps and detergents for the professional cleaning and laundry sector.

The firm was named manufacturer of the year at this year’s Bradford Means Business Awards.

Ms Watson, whose public relations firm represents Bradford businesses, including the Kirkgate Shopping, Acorn Stairlifts, and Airedale Chemical, said: “We’ve been involved with the Chamber for several years now in various ways, and so I think I’ve got a good understanding of what’s required in helping Nick in my role as vice-president.

“However, it’s still a privilege to be asked to take on a leading role in this way.

“I’ve been working with the Producer City Board on the marketing of the district and I hope to be able to expand upon that over the next two years."