New chamber leader in pledge to keep up the good work

Carrie Sudbury (pictured) promised a “smooth transition” as she takes over from long-standing Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber of Commerce chief executive Andrew Denniff on his retirement next June.

She will become the first woman to take the role since the Rotherham and Barnsley chambers merged in 2007.

Ms Sudbury will be responsible for representing the interests of more than 1,100 members based within South Yorkshire and helping to ensure the voices of local businesses are heard.

She has been with the chamber since 2013 and overseen Chamber Skills Solutions, which provides specialist training to businesses, as well as preparing them for Brexit and navigating their way through the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Chambers of Commerce are imperative in representing, supporting, and helping businesses to overcome the challenges they face,” she said.

“Being appointed as chief executive is an incredible honour, and I am looking forward to building on the success Andrew has delivered, by helping Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber to play a vital role in developing a strong local economy.

“Over the next few months, Andrew and I will work together closely to provide a smooth transition period ahead of his well-deserved retirement next year.”

Matthew Stephens, the chamber’s new president, said: “On behalf of all our members, I would like to wish Carrie every success in her new role.

“Carrie is no stranger to the local business community, and under her leadership the Chamber will go from strength to strength, continuing the significant results Andrew has delivered over the past 12 years.

“More recently, our Chamber has recorded some of the highest levels of membership retention in the UK, as well as continuing to grow as an organisation.

“This is due to the hard work of both Andrew and Carrie, and under Carrie’s leadership the Chamber will continue in its mission to provide support and representation to the local business community and help make both Barnsley and Rotherham great places to do business.”