Liverpool Chamber announces Alison Lobb as new Chair
Liverpool Chamber of Commerce has nominated Alison Lobb as its next Chair of the Board.
Alison Lobb as its next Chair of the Board. Picture by Gareth Jones
The Chamber will formalise the appointment at its Annual General Meeting on November 1, which will be for an initial period of three years. Alison will provide leadership of the Board in its oversight of the Chamber and the attainment of objectives within its ambitious strategic plan.
Alison has undertaken the role of chair of the Chamber’s Business Policy Committee for the past three years and joined the Board as a non-Executive Director in 2021. She is the managing partner at Morecrofts Solicitors and is a highly-experienced lawyer and former president of Liverpool Law Society, as well as a founder of the Merseyside Independent Business Awards.
She will commence her position as chair after her formal appointment by Chamber member businesses at the November Annual General Meeting. She will succeed Neil Ashbridge, who has completed his six-year fixed-term tenure.
In the past 18 months, the Chamber has undergone significant transformation. The organisation has relocated its head office after 86 years to the Cotton Exchange building and successfully restructured its membership scheme to reflect the city region’s changing economic landscape whilst also supporting Liverpool City Region’s economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic and re-establishing the organisation as the city’s voice for business.
The Chamber has successfully developed a dynamic and powerful network of businesses within its membership, from SMEs to multi-national firms, while several new patrons and strategic partners have joined its portfolio, including BT Local Business, Sutcliffe, Liverpool Hope University and Bruntwood Works.
It currently delivers a range of engagement activities and international trade support for businesses. Through the Quarterly Economic Survey, it provides the most comprehensive and respected insight into business sentiment in the region and across the UK. It has 16 full-time employees with turnover of approximately £1.1m, generated through membership subscriptions, export advisory services and publicly-funded business support.
Neil Ashbridge stated:
“Alison is a highly respected and well-known figure in Liverpool’s professional community and her leadership and experience will be a great asset to the Chamber’s future work. Alison is committed to improving connectivity, inclusivity and opportunity in business which aligns with the Chamber’s aspirations moving forward.”
Speaking of her appointment, Alison Lobb said:
“Liverpool Chamber is the authentic voice of business in the Liverpool City Region and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead this organisation and its membership into a new era of development. I look forward to working with the board of directors and the excellent operational team to drive further improvements on behalf of our members and the wider business community, maximising our operational resources and demonstrating best practice and value to our stakeholders at a time of much economic uncertainty.”
Paul Cherpeau, chief executive of Liverpool Chamber, said:
“Alison’s appointment comes at an exciting time for the Chamber and I’m sure our members will be looking ahead with great optimism about the future of our organisation.
“On behalf of our members and the wider Chamber team, we say goodbye and thank you to Neil Ashbridge, who has led us through a period of unprecedented change and modernisation. He leaves us in a strong position and primed for future success.”
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