New Chamber vice-president elected

Deborah Leary will become president of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) after her nomination as vice-president was approved at this year’s annual meeting.

The chief executive of Forensic Pathways becomes junior vice-president along with vice-president Steve Allen and president Saqib Bhatti.

Deborah was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours  In 2008 in recognition of her commitment to entrepreneurship. She is the founder and chief executive of Forensic Pathways, a Snow Hill-based international  company developing innovative products, software, consultancy in the criminal business intelligence market.

Its consultancy division provides due diligence, cyber investigation, dark web monitoring and investigations and training, along with consultancy on the build of laboratories for law enforcement.

Deborah said: “I’m thrilled to be chosen as a vice-president for the Chamber and greatly look forward to working with Saqib and Steve along with Paul Faulkner and his Chamber colleagues.”

Her other roles include an export champion for the Department for International Trade, executive committee member of Greater Birmingham Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce and an advisory board member of the social sciences department at Birmingham City University.

Four business people have been appointed to Birmingham Chamber council, also announced at the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce’s (GBCC) annual general meeting.

The council, made up of 30 representatives from the GBCC group, act as conduits to membership and help steer the Chamber’s policy and campaign activities.

Eddie Fellows (highway network director for Amey), and Mark O’Sullivan (managing director of BanaBay) have been elected onto the council by fellow Birmingham Chamber of Commerce members.

Doug Wright (from Douglas Wright T/A McDonald’s) and Judy Groves (marketing director at The Rigby Group) were co-opted onto the council by the Chamber board’s appointments committee.

The committee identified that Doug and Judy were active supporters of the Chamber and were from two sectors, hospitality and IT, not previously represented in Chamber council. All new council members will serve for three years.

The Chamber also recognised the contribution of two longstanding members at its annual general meeting - Howden UK Group (a member for more than 46 years), and BHSF, who have been on board for more than 40 years.

Pictured: From left, Steve Allen, Saqib Bhatti and Deborah Leary