Progress to Excellence Group MD appointed new chair of Wirral Chamber of Commerce

SANDRA Kirkham, managing director of Progress to Excellence Group, has been appointed as new chair of Wirral Chamber of Commerce Board.

An entrepreneur and major employer in Wirral, she takes over from Asif Hamid MBE, chief executive of The Contact Company, who remains within the Chamber structure as honorary president and board member.

Paula Basnett, chief executive of Wirral Chamber of Commerce, said: “Sandra’s experience and her total commitment to Wirral is key to our objectives of supporting our members and shaping our future strategy.

“We have benefitted from Sandra’s support over many years and it is clear that, with her private sector awareness and expertise, she will be prominent in driving growth not only for the Chamber but also for Wirral and the Liverpool City Region economies.

“Under Asif Hamid’s stewardship and direction, the Chamber has enjoyed unprecedented growth and is now recognised as one of the UK’s leading business membership organisations. I am sure Sandra will bring her own ideas and skills which will be invaluable in bringing new insights to enhance the Chamber offer.”

Sandra, whose expanding group of companies operates nationally in commercial and adults skills training and in independent alternative education for young people, said: “I am honoured to have been invited to become Chair of Wirral Chamber of Commerce. It was a shared vision with the Chamber that resulted in my joining the organisation in the first place – that we both strongly believed in collaborating with employers to build mutually beneficial relationships.

“I’m looking forward to listening actively to the needs of businesses – nothing is more vital than this and communicating with a drive to focus on the importance of plugging skill gaps and growing and retaining our regional talent at all levels.

“With the health, maritime and construction sectors all seen as major growth areas in the region, it is an exciting time to be in a position where I can contribute to the upward trend of a local vibrant economy.”