Meet the Team

Black Country Chamber President

Julie Cunningham

Swift Import & Export Agencies.

Julie is a Chartered Management Accountant who has a wealth of commercial experience across a number of organisations, including Swift Import & Export Agencies, AF Blakemore, Midland Recruitment Solutions and Poundland. In addition, she has also spent six years as a self-employed financial consultant and headed up a number of high-level projects on behalf of the Co-op, Holland & Barrett, M&S, Homeserve and the RAC.

Her current role is at Swift Import & Export Agencies where she holds the position of Wholesale Finance Director and sits on six Divisional Boards. Julie has expertise in defining, implementing and managing strategy, and has recently qualified as a Six Sigma yellow belt to manage lean process projects to ensure effciency.

Jude Thompson

CSCM IT Solutions

Jude has been Managing Director at CSCM I.T. Solutions based in Oldbury for nearly 21 years and has vast business and IT sector knowledge working with companies all over the world.

Passionate about the local community he regularly gives up his time to attend local community events and has been a mentor for various schools and colleges throughout the region for many years.

A long term member of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, Jude is also heavily involved in other local business groups. He is a Rotarian for Halesowen and Rowley Regis and also a member of BNI Apollo, a business network group where he has been a member for over 10 years.

Jude also co-hosts a Fish and Chip Fry day networking event which is held at Hagley Golf and Country club every other month.

As a sponsor Jude is associated with multiple charities where he regularly raises money for causes close to his heart.

Ali Allibhai

Autobase Citroen

As the Director of Autobase Citroen, Ali has over 15 years of experience in business across the globe in multiple sectors, demographics and various segments.

Since he joined the Chamber over 5 year ago, Ali has been involved in a number of stretegic groups to help members throughout the region. In addition, he is a board member and governor of Walsall Adult and Community College, as well as being a board member of the Walsall Economic Board.

David Roberts

Wolverhampton Racecourse

David has been Managing Director of Wolverhampton Racecourse since 1999, together with Worcester and Southwell racecourses part of The Arena Racing Company.

David's 39-year career has been in Hotels, Restaurants and Holiday centres, but he has been in the Black Country for the last 16 years and has continuously been a member and Patron of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce. David also sits on the Green Shoots Funding team for the University of Wolverhampton.

Dawn Owen

BodyKraft

Dawn is a Director of a Black Country based business, Bodykraft. Her business is a Patron of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce and she is on the Steering Group for the Black Country Business Festival.

In addition, she is is a member of BNI (Business Network International) and also part of the regional team that helps to grow and support our members.

Geoff Layer

University of Wolverhampton

Geoff has been the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Wolverhampton since August 2011. He was previously Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Bradford, and has also worked in universities in Luton and Sheffield.

He chairs the University of Wolverhampton Science Park Board and is a member of the Black Country LEP, as well as a number of local groups.  

Geoff has strategic leadership responsibility for the delivery of the University’s initiative to generate £250m of investment in economic growth in the region. In addition, he is a Board member of the Equality Challenge Unit.

Simon Bond

Higgs & Sons

Simon is a Partner at law firm, Higgs & Sons based in Brierley Hill. He has considerable experience in advising managers and directors at all levels on a broad range of employment and HR issues, with particular expertise in providing advice on business restructures and on the termination of employment of senior executives.

Simon is a member of the Employment Law Committee of the Law Society of England and Wales and is a Governor of a primary school in Dudley.

In 2012 Simon in 2012 was named Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year by Birmingham Law Society.