Chamber Announces New Board Members

03 Nov 2022

Published in: Black Country Chamber of Commerce News

---

New Board Members for Black Country Chamber

---

Chamber Announces New Board Members

The Black Country Chamber of Commerce have this week revealed changes to its board of directors with the appointment of four new directors following its AGM held at the University of Wolverhampton Business School on Thursday, (3rd November).

The region’s longest running business support organisation has welcomed Alison Bradley, co- founder and director of Central Business Finance, HR lawyer Amy Brokenshire a partner at George Green LLP, Brian Cape CEO at SIPS Education Ltd and Johnathan Dudley, managing partner and head of manufacturing business at Crowe UK to the board.

Stepping down from the board this week were HR lawyer Simon Bond, Director of Autobase Citroen & MG Ali Allibhai, along with Sarah Williams, former interim director of the Business School at the University of Wolverhampton.

The 160-year-old Chamber, raises the profile of local businesses, shines a spotlight on the barriers limiting growth and productivity and has an impressive suite of products and services to help local businesses grow and their employees develop and learn new skills.

Chair of the Chamber Board, Phil Purssey said, "The board is made up of members of the Chamber who help the executive team by setting direction and ensuring that our members are at the heart of everything we deliver.

"We are sad to say goodbye to Ali, Simon and Sarah and thank them for their dedicated commitment to the work of the Chamber.

"In welcoming Alison, Amy, Brian and Johnathan, we look forward to their contribution and their experience as business leaders and longstanding Chamber members."

Meet the New Board Members

Alison Bradley - Director at Central Business Development Ltd t/a Central Business Finance

An accredited business support advisor and a former growth coach for Grant Thornton, Alison is co-founder of Central Business Finance.

A native of Walsall, where her family owned a successful manufacturing business, Alison still lives in the area and has Black Country businesses close to her heart.

She has supported many businesses over the last 25 years with funding/finance and signposting through multiple networks.

Amy Brokenshire – Partner at George Green LLP

A former Wolverhampton Girls’ High School and University of Oxford graduate, Amy is a partner at George Green LLP where she specialises in HR and employment law.

Born and raised in Wolverhampton, Amy has always lived and worked in the Black Country and surrounding areas.

With a good understanding of how business work in the region, she has over 16 years of experience working in the legal industry and has practised as a qualified lawyer, specialising in employment law and HR matters, for the last 14 years.

Her extensive experience in the legal industry means that she is well placed to offer the insight and guidance to the Chamber board and management on legal issues.

Brian Cape - CEO of SIPS Education and Sandwell Ambassador

Hailing from Sunderland originally, Brian relocated to Oldbury in 2009.

Growing up in the industrial shipbuilding and coal-mining area of Sunderland in the 1970’s and 80’s has embedded a sense of local pride, community, graft and entrepreneurialism – an affinity which strongly resonates with him in the Black Country.

As CEO of SIPS, a multi-disciplined £12m not-for-profit organisation employing over 350 people, has a sound understanding of corporate governance, financial management, operational delivery, strategic planning and cultural development.

Johnathan Dudley - Midlands & Southwest Managing Partner and Head of Manufacturing Business at Crowe UK

Johnathan, a chartered accountant by profession, was educated in Walsall and at the University of Wolverhampton.

His expertise and background allow him to identify and empathise with issues businesses today face and is a passionate advocate for the Chamber.

Johnathan now leads the Crowe UK Midlands Southwest Practice, a team of sixteen partners and over two hundred team members and plays a substantial part in the firm’s client facing presence in Oldbury.

He is National Head of Corporate SME Business at Crowe and has held executive and supervisory and strategic roles in Crowe, nationally.