Birmingham Chamber of Commerce & Industry
54 Hagley Road, 7th Floor West Wing Birmingham B16 8PE
T: 0845 603 6650
E: info@birmingham-chamber.com
W: greaterbirminghamchambers.com
Minutes of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry Annual General Meeting 202 4 Friday 22 November 202 4
STEAMHouse, Belmont Row, Birmingham B4 7RQ
Welcome – Greg Lowson, Chair
The Chair welcomed members to the Annual General Meeting, noting that the Chamber has continued to connect, support and grow the local business community in a year of challenges including rising inflation, higher interest rates, and increased labour costs
He mentioned in particular the Business Commission West Midlands which brought together expertise from across the region to present a clear voice to local, regional and national government
He also commented on the Chamber’s delivery of Innovate UK Business Growth support, as well as funded supply chain readiness and international trade support for firms across the region.
He noted the year on year growth of Chamber income which enables us to reinvest in our operations and the services we provide, ensuring that we remain a pillar of support for our members
The Chair extended his thanks to Nasir Awan for the outstanding first year of his Presidency of the Chamber both in Greater Birmingham and internationally through trade missions and thanked the Chamber’s members for their continued support.
Statement on the 2023/24 Accounts – Helen Bates, Chief Financial Officer
Helen noted that the Statutory Report and Accounts for the year ending March 2024 have been published on the Chamber’s website and are available to view on Companies House.
She noted that the audited accounts were approved by the full Board and that the auditors Dains Audit Limited have given an unqualified audit opinion.
Birmingham Chamber of Commerce & Industry
54 Hagley Road, 7th Floor West Wing
Birmingham B16 8PE
T: 0845 603 6650
E: info@birmingham-chamber.com
W: greaterbirminghamchambers.com
Helen shared that the financial results were positive, with a 5% increase in turnover since the previous year, and a small surplus was achieved despite significant additional costs of moving office premises
Helen also noted that the Pension Fund surplus is unrecognised in these accounts, but confirmed completion of a buy-in transaction with Just Group in October 2023. The Pension Fund Trustee intends to wind-up and buy-out all Fund benefits in the next 12 months, which is a major milestone for the Chamber and achieves security for the legacy pension scheme members
Resolutions
Report and Accounts
The Chair proposed that the Report and Accounts be approved, seconded by Ruth Pipkin The resolution was adopted.
Appointment of Auditors
The Chair proposed that Dains Audit Limited be reappointed as Auditors for 2025/26 and that the Board be authorised to determine the remuneration of the Auditors, seconded by Mike Hopkins. The resolution was adopted.
Election of Members to Chamber Council
The Chair outlined that 21 nominations were received for 11 spaces on Chamber Council, and an election was held in September. Two candidates tied for 11th place so it was agreed by the Committee of Scrutineers to appoint 12 members to Chamber Council.
The Chair thanked everyone who put themselves forward and announced in accordance with the Chamber’s articles the following nominees were elected to Chamber Council:
• Eman Al-Hillawi, CEO, Entec Si
• Sarah Blair-Manning, Chief Executive, Birmingham Botanical Gardens
• Suzie Branch-Haddow, Vice-Principal External Development, Birmingham Metropolitan College
• Anna Bright, Chief Executive, Sustainability West Midlands
• Yetunde Dania, Partner & Head of Office, Trowers & Hamlins LLP
• Andy Dawson, Co-Founder & Director, Curium Solutions
Birmingham Chamber of Commerce & Industry
54 Hagley Road, 7th Floor West Wing
Birmingham B16 8PE
T: 0845 603 6650
E: info@birmingham-chamber.com
W: greaterbirminghamchambers.com
• Jonathan Dudley, Partner & National Head of SME Corporates & Manufacturing Business, Crowe UK
• Colin Fyfe, CEO, Unity Trust Bank
• Matt Jones, Founder & Managing Director, Oxbridge
• Beverly Lindsay, CEO, Diamond Travel
• Amanda Lowe, Founder & Managing Director, Story Comms
• Emma Stenning, Chief Executive, CBSO
He asked the AGM to endorse the appointments, seconded by Charlie Blakemore The appointment of the members was endorsed and the Chair thanked the Committee of Scrutineers
The Chair noted that up to 6 members of Chamber Council can be nominated by the Board at any one time, and in accordance with Article 15.3 of the Articles of Association, he asked the AGM to endorse the appointments to Chamber Council of:
• Mark Smith, Strategy Consultant
• Carmen Watson, Chair, Pertemps
This was seconded by Eman Al-Hillawi. and the appointments were endorsed
Appointment of Board Members
The Chair asked the AGM to approve the appointment of Raj Kandola, Director of External Affairs at Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce and Sam Watson, Store Director of Selfridges to the Board, as approved by Chamber Council in accordance with Article 21.3.
The appointments were seconded by Mike Owens and endorsed by the AGM. The Chair congratulated Raj and Sam on their appointments
The Chair reported that Karl George and Suzy Verma have served 3 years since their appointment and are due for re-election in accordance with Article 21.4
The re-election of both was seconded by Beverly Lindsay and endorsed by the AGM.
The Chair thanked Karl and Suzy for their continuing service to the Chamber Board
Birmingham Chamber of Commerce & Industry
54 Hagley Road, 7th Floor West Wing
Birmingham B16 8PE
T: 0845 603 6650
E: info@birmingham-chamber.com
W: greaterbirminghamchambers.com
The Chair then handed over to Nasir Awan for his President’s Statement, the 2024 President’s Medal, and the Longstanding Member Awards.
President’s Statement – Nasir Awan MBE DL, President
Nasir reflected on the year just gone, noted the Chamber Initiatives and Achievements, and talked about the several international trade missions he had taken part in, fulfilling his stated theme to focus on international
He also referred to the success of the Future Faces division and outlined his vision and goals for the upcoming year: strengthening local business ecosystems, expanding digital transformation, championing diversity and inclusion and promoting Birmingham on the global stage
Nasir ended with a call to action, inviting all members to participate actively, share their ideas, and make their voices heard.
He expressed his gratitude to the Board, Chamber staff, and the members.
Charity of the Year
Nasir confirmed he had selected Cure Leukaemia as his charity for the second consecutive year
President’s Award
Nasir announced that the recipient of the 2024 President’s Award was Mike Hopkins, the principal and CEO of South and City College Birmingham, who is not only tirelessly dedicated to developing skilled talent and supporting the local business community, but who has also raised awareness and much-needed funds for Cure Leukaemia, having taken up the remarkable challenge of leading a 1,000-mile bike ride across international borders to Majorca earlier this year.
Longstanding Member Awards
Nasir presented Longstanding Member Awards to Rachael Thomas, Chief Executive of Birmingham Rep Theatre and Steven West, Head of Operations and Bo McGrail, Business Development and Sales Manager of Armac Martin
Birmingham Chamber of Commerce & Industry 54 Hagley Road, 7th Floor West Wing Birmingham B16 8PE
T: 0845 603 6650
E: info@birmingham-chamber.com W: greaterbirminghamchambers.com
The Chair added his congratulations to Mike Hopkins and his gratitude to the longstanding members.
The Chair now handed over to Chamber Chief Executive Officer, Henrietta Brealey, for her review.
2023/24 Review – Henrietta Brealey, Chief Executive
Henrietta spoke about the ways the Chamber is empowering businesses across Greater Birmingham and the activities of the last year.
She outlined how the chamber supports businesses, and helps them to innovate, access opportunity, build profile and networks, gain insight and learn from experts and peers
She explained how we champion business in the media and how the Chamber can assist them to trade internationally, develop future leaders, make savings, and be part of something bigger.
Henrietta talked about the work of the Business Commission West Midlands, and thanked all of the Chambers’ members, partners and patrons for making this possible.
Close – Greg Lowson, Chair
Greg thanked STEAMhouse for providing the facilities for the AGM, thanked members for coming and declared the meeting closed.