Cain set to leave chamber CEO role

Halton Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise chief executive Paula Cain leaves her role on Friday (July 28) after seven years as a prominent leader of the Runcorn and Widnes business community.

Her successor has been named as Rachael Owen who takes over in August.

Owen is a marketing and business specialist, whose last role was working as a business Growth Hub broker on behalf of Halton Borough Council and Halton Chamber of Commerce.

She holds an MBA from Manchester Metropolitan University and a post graduate marketing diploma from the Chartered Institute of Marketing. Her CV includes working as an adviser with Business Link, marketing manager with IDG Media, college lecturer and business growth manager with Grant Thornton.

Meanwhile, Halton Council chief executive David Parr paid a glowing tribute to departing Cain, praising her outstanding work on behalf of the borough’s business community.

He said: “Paula joined Halton Chamber seven years ago when the Chamber faced a number of challenges. Through her commitment, dedication, professionalism and perseverance, she has transformed the chamber into a successful, well-respected, vibrant and financially-stable organisation that works in partnership with businesses, the council, the wider public sector and the voluntary, community and faith sectors.

“This is a great achievement and provides a stable platform from which the Chamber can successfully grow. We will miss Paula and wish her well in her new ventures – she will always be welcome in Halton.”

Cain said she had been proud and privileged to act as the “voice” of Halton’s business community, as well as expanding the work of the Chamber for the benefit of all its members.

She said: “I like to think I’ve always worked hard to make sure Halton’s best business interests were represented in a range of key forums from Westminster to the Local Enterprise Partnership, regional community and business committees.”