‘Invaluable’ chamber director to call time after two decades
THE financial director of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) is to retire after 22 years in the role.
Mike Hibbert was appointed in 1995 as the organisation’s first full-time financial appointment at board level, Previously, the chamber’s affairs had been looked after by honorary treasurers since its inception in 1813.
The role has expanded into a broad brief and Mr Hibbert, 60, has been at the forefront of managing the chamber’s property affairs, its pension funds and also had spells in charge of the chamber’s international division and work programme, which oversees start-up businesses.
“It was this wide diversity of the role which interested me so much,” says Mr Hibbert. “I haven’t just been involved with the financial affairs of the chamber but, of course, these have been central to what I have been doing.
“The possible development of the chamber’s leasehold site in Edgbaston has been a huge responsibility in conjunction with colleagues and still very much at the forefront of the chamber’s future.”
Paul Faulkner, chief executive of the GBCC, said: “Mr Hibbert’s input at the chamber has been invaluable. The job has required a broad area of expertise and he has been instrumental in guiding the chamber’s fortunes, which at times have been challenging, over the past two decades.
“On a personal level, Mr Hibbert has been a great support and source of counsel since I joined the chamber. He has been a fantastic colleague.”
Born in Oldham and educated at Aston University, Mr Hibbert qualified with an administrative/management degree and joined the accountancy firm Whinney Murray, forerunners of what is now EY (Ernst and Young).
Originally, Mr Hibbert joined the Chamber on a three-month secondment under the then-chief executive Bob Moore.
“Since then I have worked with three other chief executives – Sue Battle, Jerry Blackett and Paul Faulkner. I have also worked with 22 different presidents from many aspects of business life – and this has been one of the other appealing and diverse elements of the job.
“The other fascinating part has been involvement with so many business interests in the city.”