Tim Lee, who has led the Chamber since 2008, stepped down at the organisation’s annual meeting last week. He was replaced by Richard Olsen, Managing Director of the Olsen Partnership, based in Ketton, Stamford.
Speaking after the meeting Tim Lee said: “Following seven successful years at the helm it’s time for someone new to take up the challenge, and our recent merger with Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce provides the ideal opportunity for a new leader and new committee. The Chamber has been influential in many aspects of local and national policy that affect Stamford's business community. Crucially, we have been able to ensure that a new residents' parking permit scheme will also include businesses that have town centre premises, and other achievements include the introduction of Art on Fridays in Red Lion square, the creation and management of the Festival of History and the installation of a peregrine falcon nest box in St. Mary's steeple.”
Formerly known as Stamford Chamber of Trade and Commerce, the organisation merged with Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce in February 2014 and is now one of six local Chambers to facilitate new business opportunities for its members. It provides businesses with an extensive benefits package including support from a 24/7 legaI advice line, free legal expensive insurance, protection against HMRC tax investigations, access to a free health and safety business check and a free HR document and advice service. Incoming Chairman Richard Olsen has been an active member for many years and is currently also Vice-Chairman of Peterborough Chamber of Commerce.
Speaking following his election Richard said: “It is my great pleasure to follow Tim as Chairman of Stamford Chamber of Commerce. Our priority as a Chamber is to develop more opportunities for businesses within Stamford and the surrounding areas, and capitalise on the benefits of being part of a wider business network across Cambridgeshire. A high number of retail businesses are members and this is clearly an important area for us - we need to work with the Town Council to ensure that Stamford retail offering is right to attract visitors to Stamford and the surrounding areas. At the same time, we need to attract further businesses to Stamford and increase the number of employers within the town.”
Richard founded Olsen Partnership Limited in Stamford in November 2003 and has been involved in a number of local business turnarounds as well as working with businesses nationally to help develop growth plans. He is an accredited business coach for the Growth Accelerator and Growth Voucher schemes as well as being a registered consultant for MAS and a business mentor. Richard is also Non-Executive Director at Landmark Media International, a specialist golf PR agency, and Non-Executive Chairman of PECT Consultancy Limited, the commercial arm of Peterborough Environmental City Trust.
Richard will lead the Stamford Chamber of Commerce committee in discussions and lobbying activities relevant to local businesses and will also represent Stamford businesses on the Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce Board of Directors.
The Chamber is organising a series of events in the coming months to facilitate new connections between businesses including:
Informal Networking Evening – Wednesday 4 June
Maximise your Membership – Wednesday 25 June
Afternoon Tea and Book Launch – July
Social with Stamford Wine Club – September
Visit to New Sports Stadium – October
Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce AGM - November
Wine and Cheese Evening – December
___________________________________________________________