Chamber picks former Villa boss as its new chief executive
THE former chief executive of Aston Villa has been revealed as the new head of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce.
Paul Faulkner will succeed Jerry Blackett when he exits the office on July 3 after nine years in post.
Cambridge-educated Faulkner, 36, was chief executive at Villa Park between 2010 and 2014 having previously served in senior management roles at the club since 2006. After leaving Villa he was CEO at Nottingham Forest until February this year.
Faulkner has close ties with the city and is an Associate Non-Executive Director at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, as well as a Trustee of Cure Leukaemia, Town Hall Symphony Hall and the Library of Birmingham Trust.
Before working in football, he spent four years with MBNA Bank, working at its head office in the United States as well as the UK. He has also served as a consultant with Michael Page.
Welcoming the appointment, chamber chairman David Waller said: “I am delighted that Paul is joining us. The chambers are in robust health and we have a number of growth opportunities.
“Paul’s skills and knowledge are a great match for the role. His experience of the professional and financial services sector during his time at MBNA has equipped him to relate well to this important sector of Birmingham’s economy.
“His experience of running two major football clubs gave him great relevant experience of running businesses. In particular, Paul’s commercial track record is very strong and attractive.”
He said the chamber had also been impressed with Faulkner’s leadership style.
“Paul is able to get the very best of the people he leads and is very committed to helping people develop themselves to their full potential,” he added.
Greg Lowson, President of Birmingham Chamber, added: “Paul has great local connectivity at senior levels across the city region. He was heavily involved with the life of the city during his Villa years, and has continued to be so through his various trustee and non-exec roles.
“He has earned great respect from all with whom he has dealt. We are very excited about Paul building on these relationships as we strengthen yet further the voice of the Chamber in the future direction for the region.”
Faulkner said: “I’m really excited at the prospect of getting started at the chambers and leading the organisation in the years ahead.
“I’ve long been a passionate advocate of Birmingham and the wider region, and this opportunity with the Chambers to be central in helping Greater Birmingham flourish – not least by securing more powers and freedoms from central government, in conjunction with our partners within the LEPs and local authorities – is one that I relish.
“I’m very mindful that Jerry leaves ‘big shoes’ to fill after his time as CEO, with the chamber now supplying an impressive range of business services and having great support from the local business community.”
