Wouhra named new chair of West Midlands IoD
THE Company Secretary of Birmingham-based East End Foods has been announced as the new chairman of the Institute of Directors in the West Midlands.
Jason Wouhra takes over from John Rider at the beginning of April and in doing so, will become the region’s youngest ever chairman at the age of 35.
He is also an IoD-qualified Chartered Director and is a former vice-chairman of the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership.
East End Food, of which he is also a director, is a £180m turnover business specialising in the whole supply of ethnic foods. The firm’s new £10.5m base in Aston, on the site of the former HP Sauce factory, opened in 2011.
In addition to his other commitments, Mr Wouhra is also involved in the Institute of Director Young Directors Forum in the West Midlands, where he is vice-chair and the New Birmingham Library advisory board, as co-chair.
Paying tribute to the out-going IoD chairman, he said: “John took over as IoD West Midlands chairman in the teeth of a global slump with the recession really battering the region.
“His unfailing optimism and support for local enterprise has seen him champion the region during his tenure and I will be seeking to emulate the achievements of his chairmanship.”
John Phillips, IoD West Midlands regional director, said: “With John Rider passing the baton to Jason Wouhra this heralds an exciting way forward for the IoD in our region.
“It is much more challenging to run a business support network like the IoD in recessionary times. However, in one way, we are at our most effective when times are difficult.
“With John’s help we have assisted our members in being more competitive and we have certainly helped with job search and broader career opportunities.”
Mr Wouhra is the IoD’s youngest ever Chartered Director and also studied part-time to achieve a LL.M – a Masters in Commercial Law.
These qualifications enabled him to make many improvements in the governance and the processes at East End Foods and as a result he became Company Secretary in 2006.
East End Foods is the largest importer of ethnic food ingredients in the UK. The company processes, cleans, grinds and blends all products in the UK.
The firm supplies multiple retailers such as Tesco, Asda, Waitrose and Morrisons and the majority of independent retailers in the market as well as restaurants and catering establishments.
Phase two of the Aston site’s development is set to get under way over the next two years. The £26m scheme includes a four star hotel, conference centre and food academy.
