THE new chairman of the West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce has vowed to put businesses “at the forefront of key decisions” to be made in the region in the future.

Gerald Jennings, who has lived in Bingley and worked in West Yorkshire for 32 years, has said he will be pushing for investment in the region, and wants to help Bradford stop “punching below its weight”.

He was elected as chairman of the Chamber at its annual general meeting, held in Bradford on Wednesday, and outlined his vision for the future to the T&A.

He said: “We need to have 21st Century transport infrastructure and need to bang the drum to get more government investment in the North.

“We need to invest in our rail, roads, ports, airports and bus network, which all need improving to help businesses grow.

“Having this connectivity is crucial to help us achieve what we want to, and that is what the Chamber will be fighting for.”

He also said the area needs to develop a skilled workforce to supply businesses “today and in the future”.

“It is key to worth on both sides. Improving skills and the educational system, and making the link to local businesses, is more important now than it ever has been.

“We also need to improve the housing stock to make sure we have more housing and the right housing so young people can get on the housing market and families can grow and move up the property ladder.

“Behind all this the Chamber will be the business voice for Bradford and the region, making the case to politicians and the government that we need to tackle these three key issues to make a success of this part of the world.”

Mr Jennings, 60, said in the last six to nine months Bradford has stood up as a key voice in the region, and cities need to work together to make the area a success.

“For too long Bradford has punched below its weight, it has a lot more to offer. People need to stand up and shout for Bradford.

“Seeing Bradford and Leeds work closer than I have ever seen before and the Chamber is fully behind the two cities.

“We have to make sure whatever is good for one city is good for the other, and that is how I see the future for both cities shaping up,” he concluded.