After eleven years as chief executive of Kingston Chamber of Commerce, Lisa Gagliani will be leaving soon to take up a new role as CEO of The Bright Ideas Trust in central London.

The departure at the end of February has just been announced. Jerry Irving, President of Kingston Chamber will be stepping in as acting chief executive. Mr Irving, who runs his own business training company SatNav4Business, is very familiar with the workings of the chamber already, having chaired the board of directors since his election in May 2011 and also because until 2000, he was employed by the chamber as business services manager.

Of her decision to leave, Ms Gagliani said, “ I have enjoyed running Kingston Chamber these past eleven years – it has been a fantastic opportunity and it has also been flexible around my needs as a working parent, for which the board of directors should be applauded for their insight. I am leaving to run The Bright Ideas Trust, a charity which supports young people to start a business, so I am going to be able to utilize the contacts and experience I have gained here in that role too. I am very much looking forward to this and believe it’s a massive opportunity to support young people, who need help in the current economy, the most”

Of the handover arrangements, she said, “The board and I feel that in the short term, the decision to appoint Jerry Irving as acting CEO in the interim is in the best interests of our members and for continuity. Sarah Cornes, a local lawyer at Howell-Jones and Vice President of the chamber has kindly agreed to step up to chair the board, releasing Jerry to run the chamber day to day.”

Over the next few months, the chamber board will advertise the role and welcome interested individuals to apply for the post. The board of directors is comprised of over twenty elected members of Kingston Chamber of Commerce who represent the diverse range of businesses who belong to the chamber across the Royal Borough of Kingston.

Kingston Chamber of Commerce is a membership-based, not for profit organisation which exists to serve the needs of business owners across the whole of the Royal Borough of Kingston. Members benefit from the many and varied networking events and seminars run by the chamber, influential guest speakers and the chance to trade with each other. The chamber was started in 1905 and currently has in excess of 400 members. Membership rates start from as little as £90 + vat a year for start up firms. Established firms pay a rate proportionate to the number of employees they have. www.kingstonchamber.co.uk.

Contact

Lisa Gagliani or Jerry Irving tel 0208 541 4441 or email chiefexecutive@kingstonchamber.co.uk

Bright Ideas Trust is a London based charity which offers training, mentorship and funding to 16-30 year olds from disadvantaged backgrounds, to start a business.