Chamber turns to Cruddas
INTERIM chief executive Len Cruddas is to review the operations of the Leeds, York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce following the departure of Gary Williamson.
Mr Cruddas said the Chamber would use the time ahead of the appointment of a replacement chief executive to make sure it was connecting with members and key decision makers in the right way.
The Chamber has said Mr Williamson has left to pursue other interests after ten years at the Chamber and Mr Cruddas, who ran the York and North Yorkshire Chamber for six years, will take the role on an interim basis.
Mr Cruddas told TheBusinessDesk.com: “Gary resigned at the very end of last year. He has been working a notice period and the board has used that time rather than going public with it immediately they wanted to evaluate their options on how best to take the Chamber forward.
“The expectation is that it will be a year and I might very well be interested in being a candidate for the post myself.
“I will have a close look at the operation to make sure thinks are as well run as they can be. What we have got at the moment is a situation where the business community working in difficult trading conditions and I want to make sure we get out there and connect with them as well as possible but also with the people who make decisions that affect the businesss community.”
Mr Cruddas has worked as an executive director in two PLCs, a chief officer in a city council and as a self employed management consultant.
Tom Morton, chairman of the Chamber, paid tribute to Mr Williamson’s contribition.
He said: “The board is very grateful for the contribution which Gary has made to the Chamber over the last ten years and wish him the best of luck in the future.
“We look forward to working with Len as the Chamber introduces new products and services to help our members grow. We will continue to work closely with our local partners to ensure that the businesses of Leeds, York and North Yorkshire have a voice and have access to the support infrastructure to help them succeed in these challenging economic times.”
