Suffolk Chamber introduces new president and new membership strategy

Over 100 guests attend Suffolk Chamber‘s AGM to elect new president and hear chief executive, John Dugmore, explain how the organisation is rolling out its new strategy aimed at delivering greater value for its members. 

Hosted by Milsoms Kesgrave Hall, Suffolk Chamber members at the event elected Graham Abbey their new president, replacing Sarah Howard MBE who has completed three years in the role.

Graham is a successful businessman being the managing director of Factotum Ltd – a call centre services business based in both Newmarket & Leicester.

Graham said: “I’m thrilled to have become president as I am passionate about business in all its guises. For a company to be successful it is important that it is profitable, that it provides a safe and challenging environment for its employees, acts responsibly and ethically and just as importantly adds value to the local community.

“It also requires the right infrastructure such as roads, rail and broadband, has fair access to the markets, both here and around the world, along with the right people possessing the right skills, regardless of nationality, and it is freed of complicated, restrictive legislation and red tape.”

Guests then heard from John Dugmore, chief executive of Suffolk Chamber, about the organisation’s new membership strategy.

John explained: “we are a member-owned and member-led company. It is, therefore, a good sign that we are the largest non-metropolitan chamber in the national network and the fourth overall in terms of membership retention.

“But we are not complacent and over the last few months we have been reviewing our offer and how we can better guide members to use it to maximum effect. Our new membership strategy seeks to deliver our business plan by further improving how we retain existing members, recruits new ones and builds our reputation among the whole of Suffolk’s growing business community.”

As a result, Suffolk Chamber’s new membership strategy is aimed at:

• Boosting its specialist sales and membership team
• Improving its marketing and onboarding processes
• Sharpening its member-centric culture
• Adding extra value to its membership ‘offer’                                                     

The AGM also heard from guest speaker Erika Clegg, co-founder and creative director of Chamber member and communications design agency, Spring, about how social media is driving behavourial change among both customers and placing new demands on companies trying to reach and form a relationship with them.

Pictured: Graham Abbey, Suffolk Chamber’s new President