Minutes of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry Annual General Meeting 2022 Friday 18th November 2022 Chair’s Lounge, Edgbaston Stadium, Birmingham Welcome – Greg Lowson, Chair The Chair welcomed members to the Annual General Meeting, noting that the Chamber has provided invaluable support to the local business community despite unprecedented challenges. He was pleased to report that the Chamber’s total income has increased and thanked his Chamber colleagues for their commitment to local businesses. He highlighted how proud he was to see the business community welcome overseas visitors, and outlined the extensive range of Commonwealth Games-related activity delivered by the Chamber. The Chair extended his personal gratitude to David Waller for his leadership as Chair since 2010. He thanked Deborah Leary for a brilliant first year as President, and congratulated her for recently being made Visiting Professor at Aston University. He welcomed the appointments of Charlie Blakemore, Amardeep Gill and Ruth Pipkin to the Board. The Chair also congratulated Charlie on Intercity Technology being voted best IT company in the country for which to work. The Chair thanked the Chamber’s members for their continued support, as well as the Board and Chamber Council for their hard work over the year. He congratulated Henrietta on a great first full year as Chief Executive and Board member Doug Wright on being voted Brummie of the Year. Statement on the 2021/22 Accounts – Helen Bates, Chief Financial Officer Helen noted that the Statutory Report and Accounts for the year ending March 2022 have been published on the Chamber’s website and are available to view at Companies House. She noted that the audited accounts were approved by the full Board and that the auditors Dains LLP have given an unqualified audit opinion. Helen reported that the financial results were very positive, noting in particular the increase in turnover on Export Documentation. Resolutions Report and Accounts
The Chair proposed that the Report and Accounts be approved, seconded by Charlie Blakemore. The resolution was adopted. Appointment of Auditors The Chair proposed that Dains LLP be reappointed as Auditors for the 2022/23 financial year and that the Board be authorised to determine the remuneration of the Auditors, seconded by Doug Wright. The resolution was adopted. Election of Members to Chamber Council The Chair outlined that 12 nominations were received for Chamber Council, and that four candidates were elected. He thanked everyone who put themselves forward and announced in accordance with the Chamber’s articles the following nominees were elected to Chamber Council: • • • •
Dr Josh Ahmed, Eccleston and Hart Mike Owens, Schumacher Packaging Beate Pesian, Worksmiths Tracey Stephenson, Staying Cool
He asked the AGM to endorse the appointments, seconded by Mark Smith. The appointment of the members was endorsed. The Chair also thanked Mark Taylor, Suzie Branch-Haddow, Deborah Leary and Helen Bates for sitting on the Committee of Scrutineers. Election of Chair of the Board The President proposed to receive the appointment of the Chair for a three-year term, as appointed by the Board Appointments Committee and approved by Chamber Council in accordance with Article 22.3. Seconded by Dr Karl George MBE, the appointment was endorsed. Deborah congratulated Greg for his appointment, and Greg thanked the AGM for endorsing his appointment. Appointment of Board Members The Chair asked the AGM to approve the appointments of Charlie Blakemore, Amardeep Gill and Ruth Pipkin to the Board in accordance with Article 21, seconded by Dr Nasir Awan MBE. The appointments were endorsed and the Chair congratulated the new Board members. President’s Statement – Deborah Leary OBE, President Deborah highlighted that innovation and international trade have been the key themes of her presidency, detailing the meetings she has attended and delegations
she has welcomed from across the globe in her first year. She acknowledged the challenges facing the business community, but noted that Birmingham was geared to face challenges with its innovative businesses, world class universities and diverse population. Deborah shared that she is proud to been involved in the Good Business Forum alongside Henrietta, particularly given the need for businesses to adapt to overcome the climate crisis. She noted her pleasure meeting both members and non-members from across the region to share their successes and to support them in the challenges they are facing. She thanked members, the Board and the Chamber staff who have supported her, and extended her gratitude to those who supported her President’s Charity Pans Panda UK. President’s Medal Deborah announced that the recipient of the 2022 President’s Medal was Dr Beverly Lindsay OBE, highlighting her extensive contributions to the business community, her longstanding membership of the Chamber, and her much appreciated support of the Greater Birmingham Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce. Longstanding Member Awards Deborah presented a Longstanding Member Award to Edward Grigg, Managing Director of Incorporatewear Ltd, noting their excellent work as the Official Workforce Uniform Provider for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Deborah invited Wade Lyn CBE, Founder of Cleone Foods, to accept a Longstanding Member Award, celebrating the company’s impressive success at expanding the business across the country. Jonathan Horsfall, Sales Director of Webster and Horsfall, was then invited to accept a Longstanding Member Award, with Deborah outlining their impressive membership of the Chamber and their role as one of the oldest manufacturing companies in the Midlands. The Chair congratulated Dr Beverly Lindsay for her outstanding contributions, and extended his own gratitude to the Longstanding Member Award recipients for their longstanding support of the Chamber. 2021/22 Review – Henrietta Brealey, Chief Executive Henrietta highlighted the Chamber’s mission to connect, support and grow local businesses, as well as the Chamber’s purpose and vision. She detailed the help that
the Chamber offers local businesses and the extensive geographical reach of the different divisions. As well as sharing the themes and ambitions over the next three years, Henrietta revealed that the results of the Annual Member Survey had already been used to prompt new member offers and benefits. Henrietta shared details of the Chamber’s extensive events programme, including Growth Through People and the Sustainable Business Series. She also noted the Chamber’s vast work representing local business in external stakeholder meetings, television interviews, and exclusive member roundtables. She touched upon the success of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, in particular voicing her excitement about the Chamber’s partnership with Pride House. Henrietta celebrated the success of the Future Faces Mentoring Scheme, spoke about how Team Chamber was evolving, and gave details about UK Innovate EDGE’s upcoming Women in Innovation event. She also shared details about the Quarterly Business Report and encouraged attendees to attend the upcoming briefing event. Close – Greg Lowson, Chair Greg thanked Edgbaston Stadium for providing the facilities for the AGM, thanked members for coming and declared the meeting closed.