BRADFORD Chamber of Commerce has a new president following its annual elections held this week.

Victoria Wainwright takes over the post from Suzanne Watson, who held the post for the last two years.

Victoria, managing director of Naylor Wintersgill Chartered Accountants, will now lead and represent the organisation at a non-executive level.

Exa Networks boss, Mark Cowgill, has also stepped up to the vice-president position.

Victoria said: “I’m honoured and excited to be taking on this position. Times have been very challenging for many businesses for the last 18 months and anything I can do to support them, I will.

"As we begin to emerge from the period of the pandemic, we will need a secure and vibrant business community to help rebuild the economy, create wealth and jobs, and make Bradford strong again.

“The Chamber will, as always, help to do that through effective lobbying and representation, liaising with relevant stakeholders, and providing support services to members to help them flourish.

"Naylor Wintersgill has a long history of close association with the Chamber and I’m pleased to be able to help that continue.

“Suzanne has done a fantastic job for the last two years and so I hope that I can continue in her footsteps. Mark and I will still have a great team around us but I hope that ‘Bradvocate’ Suzanne will stay close by if called upon.

“I’m looking forward to getting involved and working with partners and stakeholders at the earliest opportunity; and also, when conditions allow, of course, to meeting up face-to-face with as many members as possible.

"For now, we’ll be getting on with helping businesses with the post-Covid recovery, and maintaining the Chamber as the strongest and best voice of business.”

Victoria’s role includes chairing regular leadership group meetings, representing members on various external bodies, and being an ambassador for the Bradford district.