New appointments for board at Black Country Chamber of Commerce AGM

06 Dec 2023

Published in: Black Country Chamber of Commerce News

---

The new-look Black Country Chamber of Commerce board was appointed at our Annual General Meeting as part of the drive to reenergise and refocus.

---

The new-look Black Country Chamber of Commerce board was appointed at our Annual General Meeting as part of the drive to reenergise and refocus.

Paul Hull, Director and Co-Owner of KMB Shipping Group, based in Tipton, has joined the board, while Jatinder Sharma, Principal and Chief Executive of Walsall College, has been reappointed.

The AGM, attended by the Chamber board and member businesses, was held at the Technology Centre at the University of Wolverhampton Science Park on Friday.

Named the Black Country Chamber of Commerce’s Business Person of the Year at our 2022 awards, Paul Hull leads Queen’s Award-winning KMB Shipping Group, a freight forwarding company that has provided global import and export transportation solutions for more than 35 years.

In a 27 year career with KMB Shipping, Paul has progressed from apprentice to managerial then director roles, before becoming co-owner after successfully leading a management buyout in 2018.

A qualified accountant and highly experienced leader, Jatinder Sharma has held a number of senior positions in both the private and public sectors and is a passionate champion of the vital role that skills and training play in the development of the West Midlands economy.

Jatinder was awarded a CBE in the 2023 New Year Honours for his services to Further Education. With a workforce of more than 1000 staff, Walsall College is currently engaging with over 800 employers in the design, development and delivery of apprenticeship provision to 1,300 learners.

Speaking after the AGM, Chamber CEO Sarah Moorhouse said:

“The Chamber has an important role to play as the leading regional business support agency for firms based within or doing business across Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton, so I am delighted to have board members with the calibre of Paul and Jatinder as we shape an exciting future.

“After my first year as CEO I was pleased to report to the AGM on the progress made by the Chamber to promote and meet the needs of business and industry across the Black Country.

“With our tenacious businesses adapting to prepare for the challenges of 2024, we will celebrate the strengths of the Black Country and provide leadership and support to all those striving to make the area even better through economic growth.”

The AGM received the report of the directors and the accounts for the year ended 31 March.

The report summary statement looking back on the previous year’s performance said: “This is The Black Country was our 2022/2023 campaign designed to champion the region as a great place for business.

“It concluded in March 2023 following 12-months of activity and has become a template for co-ordinated, focused lobbying and communications.”

Other milestones featured in the statement included exceeding budget “during a year of many changes”, maintaining membership retention level at 90% and holding a successful 2022 awards evening after years of Covid restrictions. In total, the Chamber logged 392,551 individual engagements with businesses.

The focus for the current year, the summary said, includes reenergising the Chamber's value proposition, reinvigorating the membership offer, refocussing the commercial approach and revitalising its marketing and communications.

The annual report added: “The Black Country is one of the most remarkable places on the planet full of inspiring people and breath-taking businesses. Thank you to our members - we are simply nothing without you.”