Last updated at 09:40, Tuesday, 05 March 2013

Penrith Chamber of Trade and Commerce has a new man at the helm.

Richard Utting, left and Philip Cranston

Richard Utting succeeded Philip Cranston as president at the annual meeting.

Born in Norwich, he came to Cumbria in 1975 to work for the NFU. In 1990 he set up his own general insurance brokerage, which was subsequently sold to H&H Group.

He now runs Profile Financial Management at Skirsgill Business Park.

He was previously vice-chairman of the chamber and helped to set up the Pride in Penrith lottery.

Mr Utting said: “I can only achieve the new aims of the chamber with the help of our membership and support of the executive committee.

“Together, I am positive we can achieve some great things.”

Mr Cranston told the meeting at the North Lakes Hotel the chamber had gone from strength to strength in 2012.

It played a significant role in the development of a Business Improvement District (BID), which was endorsed in a ballot of businesses in December.

Mr Cranston thanked Kelvin Dixon for chairing the shadow BID board.

The chamber also played a role in the Olympic Torch procession and Winter Droving event, Mr Cranston said. Initiatives included the Stars of Business Awards and the first Penrith Winter Festival, which will run again this year and should be bigger and better.

Membership increased in 2012 and Mr Utting hopes to build on this in the coming year.

Amyn Fazal, chief executive of Penrith Building Society, was elected as vice-president, alongside new junior vice-president Ali Turnbull, of Fit to Print. Helen Little, a partner in Saint & Co, was elected treasurer. Lisa Coates of Acorn Marketing continues as secretary and Helen Sanderson as administrator. Margaret Hill stood down as junior vice-president and Paul Heape as treasurer.

Find out more at www.penrithchamberoftrade.co.uk.

First published at 09:37, Tuesday, 05 March 2013
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk