Chamber reveals new chief '¨exec to take over from Dunsby

Brian Dunsby, chief executive of Harrogate Chamber of Trade and Commerce, the Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire Barry Dodd CBE, Harrogate mayor Coun Jim Clark, and Chamber president Sandra Doherty at the Yorkshire Business Market 2015. (S)

A new chief executive designate has been chosen to lead Harrogate Chamber of Trade and Commerce after the current chief executive, Brian Dunsby, steps down in May.

Sandra Doherty, who served three years as president until May 2015, will take over from Mr Dunsby, subject to members’ formal approval at the Chamber AGM in May.

Mr Dunsby announced his intention to step down at the end of 2015 after 14 years’ service on a voluntary basis. He will continue as managing director of Yorkshire Business Market Ltd, the not-for-profit company which has run the Yorkshire Business Market (YBM) since 2005.

Ms Doherty said: “Brian has done an incredible job of building the Chamber from a fairly small group of business-owners to a membership of around 250 businesses across Harrogate.

“Having worked closely with him for several years as president, I have seen the way the Chamber is run and the many ways it serves the local business community. With the support of the members, I hope to continue that work from May onwards and help to ensure the Chamber supports and represents local businesses for many years to come.”

When Mr Dunsby steps down, Ms Doherty will take on most of the Chamber’s administration, and a new website and distribution system will help to boost communication.

Vicky Carr, who has been working for the Chamber on a freelance basis since 2013, will be its PR officer and will help with administrative duties.

Meanwhile, the AGM in May will also see the hand-over of official duties from outgoing president Mike Shaw to Michael Webster, who owns Harrogate business signage company Sign-a-Rama. This appointment will also be put to members for approval at the AGM on Monday, May 9 at the Cedar Court Hotel in Harrogate.

Outgoing president Mike Shaw said: “It is an exciting time for everyone involved with the Chamber and we are looking forward to seeing how things develop over the coming months and years. This is also a great opportunity for anyone who has not been a member before, or who has never tried a meeting, to come along and see what the Chamber can offer to local businesses.”

For more information about monthly meetings, visit www.harrogatechamber.org. To find out about membership, email [email protected]