Michael Hayman co-founder of Seven Hills, has been elected unanimously by board members to replace Sarah Howard as chair of the British Chambers of Commerce
Michael Hayman has been appointed as chair of the British Chambers of Commerce(Image: via City AM)
Michael Hayman has been appointed as the new chair of the British Chambers of Commerce, succeeding former management consultant Sarah Howard.
Hayman will assume the role at the BCC after receiving unanimous support from board members.
In his capacity as chair, Hayman will guide the network’s strategic direction as it aids business expansion, lobbies the government and fosters international trade.
The role serves as the representative for 51 accredited business chambers, along with an additional 75 worldwide.
Hayman is an entrepreneur and author who co-founded London-based communications consultancy Seven Hills, and holds the position of chairman of entrepreneurs at private bank Coutts, as reported by City AM.
He has secured honorary roles at the University of London, the University of Cambridge, and Queen Mary University of London, and was honoured with an MBE in 2014.
He co-launched the entrepreneurship initiative StartUp Britain in 2011, backed by then Prime Minister David Cameron and Chancellor George Osborne.
He said: “Supporting business has been at the heart of my career, as a founder, as a campaigner, and through the organisations I’ve helped lead.
“Becoming Chair of the BCC is a privilege because this network represents the very best of British business.
“Working with colleagues across the Chamber network I want to make sure we continue to be seen as the leading organisation for businesses, as they navigate the fast‐changing economic landscape.”
Hayman replaces Sarah Howard, who has completed more than six years as chair and will remain a board member until the end of the year with a focus on skills, diversity and international trade.
She was appointed chair in 2019, having previously served as president of the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce.
She worked as a management consultant at JP Morgan and KPMG, and has chaired start-ups in the biotech and health and leisure sectors. Howard received an MBE in 2015 for her work with young people.
She said: “Serving as chair of the BCC has been one of the great privileges of my career. Over the last six and a half years, I’ve helped take the organisation through a remarkable period of renewal.
“We’ve reshaped our image, strengthened our commercial foundations, and truly established the BCC as the leading voice for business.
“Michael is a tireless champion for business, and I know he will take the BCC to even greater heights in the coming years.”
The BCC was established in 1860 as the Association of Chambers of Commerce, and historically campaigned on issues including intellectual property law, transport, and bankruptcy law.
The organisation represents more than 50,000 businesses, who employ six million people, according to its estimates.