Key Staff
Dr Ian Kelly, Chief Executive
Ian has an extensive knowledge of business, employment and regeneration issues across the Humber. He has an Honours Degree in Politics, a Masters Degree in British Government and a PhD. He has previously worked at the House of Commons, the Chief Executive's Office of a major local authority, in the Australian Parliament as well as lecturing in British Politics before joining the Leeds Chamber of Commerce in 1991.
After four years as their Head of Policy and Research he was appointed as the youngest Chief Executive of a Chamber of Commerce in the UK in 1995 (aged 30) and has occupied this position ever since. Ian was born and educated in Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire. He is married with three young daughters and spends his limited spare time playing cricket for his local village team and walking in the Yorkshire Wolds.
Nick Pontone, Company Secretary
Nick joined the Chamber in 1998 after graduating from the University of Hull in economic and political geography. He went on to spend a year on secondment at the Regional Development Agency, Yorkshire Forward, to directly support then Chairman Sir Graham Hall during his six-month period leading the nine English RDAs in their relationships with Whitehall and Westminster.
He returned to the Chamber as Manager of the ONE HULL Business Forum. Nick is the Company Secretary for the Chamber and its subsidiaries.
Bruce Massie, Membership & Business Manager
Bruce joined the Chamber in 2001, following the completion of an Honours Degree in Business Studies and over 20 years working in commerce and industry. As head of the Membership Department, his remit is to maximise Membership numbers, to organise 12 North Bank networking and corporate hospitality events, the bi-monthly Members’ magazine Business Intelligence and the Members’ Directory. Liaising directly with the Members, Bruce is also responsible for providing the free legal helpline, AXA PPP Private Medical Insurance, Utility Auditing and the Westfield Chamber Health treatment scheme for Members, plus Chamber Marketing Services.
Rachel Mendham, Head of Training
Rachel joined the Chamber in 1999 and moved into Chamber Training in 2000. With an Honours Degree in European Administration she has progressed through the ranks and was appointed Head of Training in 2004.
With many changes currently surrounding the education sector much of her time is now spent representing Chamber Training both locally and nationally in a bid to raise the profile of Work Based Learning whilst supporting employers to source much needed funding to help combat skills shortages. Rachel also represents the private sector as a Director on the Board of Connexions Humber.
Anne Tate, Northern Lincolnshire Manager
Anne joined the Chamber in September 2003, as the Manager for Northern Lincolnshire. Prior to joining the Chamber Anne, who has a background in business development and sales, worked for companies in both Grimsby and Scunthorpe. She also had a spell in local government, helpful when the Chamber makes its representations to the two local authorities.
Anne is based at the ABP Port Office in Grimsby and has responsibility for the Chamber's activities on the South Bank in both North East Lincolnshire and North Lincolnshire.
Pauline Wade, Head of International Trade
Pauline joined the Chamber in 1997 after moving to the region from London. A member of the Institute of Export, she was employed in the City of London for solicitors specialising in international taxation and corporate law before working for several years to the Chairman and Chief Executive of the Ladbroke Group where she was directly involved in the acquisition of the Hilton International Hotel chain by the British owned Ladbroke Group in 1987. With over 25 years’ experience of international trade, Pauline has considerable expertise in promoting international business opportunities across markets and sectors.
Pauline is also Chief Executive of the Chamber’s subsidiary company the British Agrifood Consortium, which offers a wide spectrum of support to strengthen and develop agribusiness worldwide. BAC is active in several international markets addressing issues such as food safety and food security. Pauline is also Deputy Chief Executive of the British Caribbean Chamber of Commerce which she helped set up in 2001. Pauline has led over 60 UKTI sponsored Trade Missions and exhibitions and working directly to the European Commission has successfully delivered several EU Funded Aid Programmes in the developing markets of Latin America, Cuba and the Caribbean.
Richard Kendall, Policy Executive
Richard joined the Chamber in August 2007. He is a graduate in British Politics and Legislative Studies from the University of Hull who has worked at the House of Commons. Richard organises the Chamber’s policy meetings, meets with a wide range of partners across the Humber sub-region, and lobbies key organisations on members’ behalf.
He is also responsible for the Chamber's media work and regularly comments on business issues on behalf of the Chamber.
Jean Sweeting, Senior Finance Officer
Jean joined the Chamber offices in Hull as Senior Finance Officer in July 2002 and was joined by Laura, Finance Assistant, the following month. As Senior Finance Officer, her remit is to oversee all aspects of the finance department and to enable management accounts to be presented to the Board on a regular basis.
The Finance Department endeavor to maintain a good working relationship with their customers and members. They provide support for each individual department of the Chamber and are an essential part of the team.
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