Leading organisation takes new director on board as it looks to grow membership

One of the region’s biggest business organisations has appointed a new director of membership.

Business West, which represents chambers of commerce across the South West, has appointed Emma Carter to the role.

She previously worked for Excalibur – a Swindon-based IT and business communications firm.

Emma started working life as a teenager selling memberships for the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Two decades later she has come full circle and is now in charge of membership at Business West – one of the largest chambers in the UK.

Her role will involve developing and expanding membership across the chambers of commerce in Bristol, Bath, South Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.

She said: “My perception is that most chambers have not modernised in the way that other membership organisations have done but they are far from dead.

“What I love about my new role is  being able to develop people and  empower them-that’s exciting.

“I love training , coaching and developing-that’s my dream job so this role really fits the bill.”

She added: “I think Business West does some amazing things, but we must make what we do a lot clearer. Our reputation is very strong at local, regional, and national government level we are seen as the voice of business.

“So, we want to use those relationships in the most effective way by working with our partners and public sectors to ensure the region gets what it needs.”