Martin and Dermot back at the helm
THE LOUGHBOROUGH Chamber of Trade and Commerce has been saved thanks to two former presidents who have come together to re-form a “dream team.”
The Echo reported last month that the chamber was in danger of closing after 95 years if volunteers didn’t come forward to take on the vacant managerial positions.
Now two well known businessmen in the area have came forward to fill the main roles.
Dermot Breen, who was president of the chamber from 1992-96, is to take on the role of president and Martin Traynor OBE, who was president from 1996-2000, will be the vice president - both will begin their four year term at the start of May at the chamber’s AGM.
Jane Hunt will also take on the role of secretary and Max Boden will take on the role of treasurer.
The chamber has represented businesses in Loughborough since 1922 and is often seen as a first stop consultee on business issues by Charnwood Borough Council.
Dermot and Martin will take over from Carol Whipham and Caroline Nash who have been the chamber’s main leaders for the last four years.
In past presidencies Dermot and Martin have been key players in initiatives such as the town’s CCTV scheme, the pedestrianisation of Market Place and Market Street, the redevelopment of Baxter Gate and the refurbishment of Loughborough train station.
New president Dermot has outlined five key themes for the future of the chamber. These include: • Actively engaging with members to understand the current issues that drive successful trading in the town.
• Carrying out regular surveys to understand business issues and to work with agencies and local government to find solutions.
• To host several high-profile events each year, with the aim of bringing together members of the local community and leading members from the public sector.
• To work with the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) and the Business Gateway to signpost local business to appropriate business support.
• To engage and support the work of the Loughborough BID and the Economy and Skills Group on Charnwood Together putting forward the views of the chamber’s members.
New president Dermot Breen told the Echo: “We’re looking forward to the opportunity to be able to represent Loughborough businesses again and to help the town keep growing.
“We have worked together a lot in the past and know the businesses of Loughborough extremely well so I’m sure that we can do the same and form the dream team that we have done in the past.”