Top lawyer takes on role as chamber chairman
A FORMER president of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce has been appointed as the business body’s next chairman.
Greg Lowson has succeeded David Waller in the role following his decision to step down after being appointed the chamber’s first chairman 12 years ago.
Mr Lowson is the Birmingham office managing partner at law firm Pinsent Masons’ and a partner in its dispute resolution and litigation team.
He has handled some of the firm’s largest and most complex litigation cases, having been in practice for 40 years, and is an accredited mediator and solicitor advocate.
He has been a partner since 1991 and office managing partner for 20 years, responsible for 600 employees.
Away from the firm, he is the current chairman of the CBI West Midlands’ Council, a non-executive director of employment agency Pertemps and a former Trustee of the Birmingham Repertory Theatre.
He has just stepped down after 16 years as a trustee and director of the Midlands Arts Centre in Edgbaston where he was also vice co-chairman.
He served as the Greater Birmingham Chambers’ president between 2014 and 2016, becoming the first to introduce a two-year term for the position.
Mr Lowson said: “I had the pleasure of being a board member during David Waller’s 11 years as the chamber’s first chair and I would like to thank him for his stewardship, wise counsel and leadership.
“I will do my best to continue the high standards he has set.
“The chamber has nearly 3,000 members, counts some of the region’s largest and most important companies and bodies as patrons and is uniquely involved in all of the region’s leading business and civic groups.
“We are in for a challenging year or two economically when businesses will need the voice of the chamber more than ever.
“Notwithstanding the economic challenge, there is a real opportunity for the region through levelling up and the current devolution deal the combined authority is preparing to bid for.”
Three new non-executive directors have also been appointed to the chamber’s board.
Ruth Pipkin brings 20 years of experience in marketing and communications, having worked both in-house for the Home Office and in-agency before setting up Birmingham-based consultancy Rewired in 2008. She is joined by Charlie Blakemore, group managing director of Birmingham-based tech firm Intercity, and Amardeep Gill, a partner at law firm Trowers & Hamlins who specialises in advising the government, public bodies and businesses on transformation or business-critical projects.
Chamber chief executive Henrietta Brealey added: “The board plays a key role in developing the strategic direction of the chamber and I am delighted to be welcoming further leading business representatives to this critical group.”