Who's who at the East Midlands Chambers of Commerce
Find out more about the people responsible for the East Midlands Chambers.
If you would like to get in touch with any of the individuals currently serving on the East Midlands Chambers Board, please contact ??? in the first instance.
Stephen Woolfe
Board position: Chair
Stephen is a partner of Harvey Ingram Solicitors as well as Chair of the EMCC Board. Having held board level positions in a number of organisations including Leicestershire Chamber, the Heart of the National Forest Foundation, Leicester LfitCo, the CBI East Midlands Regional Council and Leicestershire Cares; Stephen brings excellent leadership skills and a strong network of contacts to the EMCC.
" I strongly believe that the co-ordination of chamber strategy across the region will help build a stronger regional identity which will benefit the business community as a whole."
John Thompson
Board position: Deputy Chair
An EMCC Board member for the past three years, John is keen to ensure the EMCC leads the regionalisation agenda and raises the business profile of the area. A Chartered Accountant and senior partner at the Derby office of PKF, John has also held a number of key roles including President of Derbyshire Chamber and Business Link, Director of DMCC, EMB (???) and Chair of the Audit committee for EMB and DCBL (???).
Simon Beardsley
Board position: Non-Executive Director
Simon is the head of Lincolnshire Chamber an organisation that has a strong history of providing advice, training, and support in all aspects of International Trade to businesses throughout the county. Simon also has a lead role in International trade function of the 5 Regional Chambers of Commerce that cover the East Midlands. Simon joined the EMCC board in 2005
Simon is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers and from previous roles has a number of years experience relating to commercial banking and the finance of International Trade.
George Cowcher
Board position: 288a Director
Also Chief Executive of the merged Derbyshire & Nottinghamshire Chamber, George joined the EMCC board in 2006. As a previous Chief Executive of a regional Chamber (North East) George is familiar with the challenges of regional representation and believes strongly in the power of collective action to make change for the better.
Rodney Hughes
Board position: Nottinghamshire Chamber representative
A long-standing networker, Rodney has been involved with the EMCC board in various capacities since 1985. Currently representing Nottinghamshire Chamber, Rodney is also a representative on the Duty Solicitors committee, Newark Navigation Commissioner and a member of the Business Improvement Board for Nottinghamshire County Council. Previously, he has also held the position of regional Chair on two occasions and was a BCC Board member.
Martin Traynor
Board position: Non-Executive Director
With over 10 years service on the EMCC board, Martin is well-versed in the work of the EMCC and its role in shaping the regional agenda for the East Midlands. Also Chair of Leicestershire Connexions, Leicester Shire Economic Partnership and the Scrutiny Board of the East Midlands Regional Assembly: Martin brings a wealth of experience of regional institutions to the EMCC table.
"It is vital that Chambers remain at the heart of the business support agenda, because the voice of business within our region needs to be recognised and understood."