Graham Knight has been appointed as part-time interim CEO of the Somerset Chamber of Commerce, ensuring it is ‘business as usual’ for the Chamber over the coming months.
Graham Knight, who is the Chairman of the Somerset Chamber of Commerce, will fulfil the role of CEO until a new Chief Executive is appointed in the new year, bringing consistency and reassurance following the recent announcement that Rupert Cox will leave the Chamber at Christmas.
Speaking about his interim appointment, Graham commented, “I am committed to supporting and leading the Somerset Chamber in an executive capacity until a new CEO is appointed in early 2015. The Chamber is a strong and growing organisation with a talented team and supportive Board, all of whom will continue to work hard to support our members, deliver successful projects on behalf of our business services clients, and ensure that the Chamber continues to thrive.”
Graham has been on the Board of the Somerset Chamber for four years and has been the Chairman for a year. He has a thorough understanding of the Chamber as he was also an active member in his previous role as Head of Business Development at Strode College.
The Somerset Chamber is in its strongest position since it was established almost 20 years ago. It now has 550 members, organises the two largest business events in Somerset – the Somerset Business Awards and the Somerset in Business Conference – and is EDF Energy’s chosen partner to manage the Hinkley supply chain.
As one of only five accredited Chambers in the South West and 52 in the whole of the UK, the Somerset Chamber works closely with the British Chambers of Commerce to make sure Somerset businesses stay well connected at both a local and national level, and that the voices of the Somerset business community are heard at all levels of government.