New director general of the BCC is appointed

A LEADING civil servant has been appointed as the new director general of the British Chambers of Commerce.

Shevaun Haviland joins the BCC from the Cabinet Office where she has worked for the last five years running the Business Partnerships team and leading the Inclusive Economy Partnership. She has also worked in the private sector, including a spell working for the Walt Disney Company and its Disneyland Paris theme park.

Ms Haviland will take over from Dr Adam Marshall, who is standing down at the end of the month after five years as director general.

She said: “I am absolutely thrilled to be taking on this vitally important role at this time of immense challenge for UK firms.

“The Chamber Network has been at the forefront of helping businesses navigate the pandemic and building our new trading relationships with the world. It will be a privilege to represent this network and to lead the BCC in the next phase of its development.

“Our businesses will be central to driving recovery and renewal in their communities across the UK. I look forward to championing the needs of our members – at home and around the world - driving change and seizing the opportunities to thrive and grow.”

Ms Haviland started her career in consultancy in London and New York and was a partner in a start-up digital innovation agency and venture builder, Independents United. The BCC said she had a “a passion for business as a force for good” and was a social impact investor, as well as a board member of Women of the World Foundation