Royal Town's Chamber elects new president

 

Royal Town's Chamber elects new president

02 September 2020

Phil Arkinstall will today become the third president of the Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce.

The managing director of video production firm Ark Media is to be confirmed as successor to Katie Hale at the Chamber’s annual general meeting.

Katie, who has served as president for the past two years, during which time she launched her EcoPledge sustainability initiative, will become the Chamber’s honorary chair.

Phil, who was born and raised in the Royal Town, said: “I am delighted to have been elected as the president of the Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce and I am looking forward to getting started in the role and work with the fabulous business community we have here in Royal Sutton Coldfield. 

“I would like to pay tribute to our previous president Katie Hale for doing a fantastic job over the last two years, particularly her work in setting up the successful EcoPledge which has been adopted by a number of our members and has been rolled out in other areas of the Chamber.

“I really have big shoes to fill and I am hoping we can continue the success of the EcoPledge campaign. 

“During my term as president, I would like to support the business community of Sutton Coldfield, particularly as we continue to live through the Coronavirus pandemic and deal with the next steps of Brexit. 

“I am keen to support the town centre masterplan and help as best we can rejuvenate our town, while at the same time I’d like to engage with the ‘villages’ of Sutton Coldfield to bring Chamber events into these communities.” 

Katie, who runs her own marketing firm Halestorm Marketing, said: “I feel the Sutton Coldfield Chamber has come a long way over the past two years but we still have work to do and I’m positive that Phil is the leader we need to take us on the next leg of the journey.

“He has supported the Chamber and me personally over the past two years and I wish him the best of luck.  I will be remaining as honorary chair and lending my support along the way.”

Today’s online AGM takes place between 11am and 12pm with Phil and Katie joining head of the Sutton Coldfield Chamber, Chris Brewerton, for a Q&A session after the formalities have been completed.

Chris said: “Katie has been a fantastic ambassador for the Sutton Coldfield Chamber during her tenure, bringing enthusiasm, commitment and genuine care and interest in issues affecting the business community across the town, and will continue to do so in support of our new president.

“On a personal level she has also been a huge help to me since I started my role in October 2018 and has been a great source of support to many members of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce team.

“I’m really excited to welcome Phil on board as president. Like Katie, he has a clear passion for helping support businesses in Sutton Coldfield and a great track record of utilising the Chamber to help his business grow.”