‘Connecting communities’ the top priority for new Bristol Junior Chamber president

The newly elected president of the Bristol Junior Chamber has outlined her priorities for the coming year, with her sights set firmly on promoting community and charity.

Emma Carter, head of income generation for Air Ambulances UK, assumed the role of president at the organisation’s AGM on Tuesday, 2 April, as the new Council of Management was elected. This follows her year serving as vice president – a position now held by Connor Jones, Senior Workplace Education Consultant for Mercer Private Wealth.

The Bristol Junior Chamber (BJC) has been the premiere networking organisation in the city region since its inception in 1948 and has been pivotal in the creation of a number of landmark events on the Bristol calendar, most notably the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta.

Having just celebrated its 75th anniversary, the chamber’s 150-strong membership represents a wide range of sectors across the city – including legal, finance, charity, healthcare, education and engineering – with many of its thousands of alumni now recognisable figures across the city.

The year under Emma’s presidency is set to see a focused effort on building connections between communities and the positive impact the BJC can have on local people and businesses, building on the chamber’s longstanding relationship with charities across the region.

Following her election, Emma called for this proud tradition to continue through the new initiative, the “BJC Big Help Out”. Members will be encouraged to volunteer their time throughout the month of June, including through work volunteering days, in a concerted effort to help good causes across Bristol and the West of England region.

Newly elected BJC President Emma Carter said:

“Community is at the heart of everything we do at the BJC and it is a privilege to become its newest president, refreshing its status as a pillar of our organisation which has given me so much over the past five years.

“Our landmark 75th anniversary was a fantastic reminder to members new and old of the heritage and the strength in depth we have as a community for young professionals, as well as an inspiration on the potential we have to positively impact the city, and I am really excited for the year ahead.”

The full BJC Council of Management for the 2024-25 year are:

·      President: Emma Carter, Air Ambulance UK

·      Vice President: Connor Jones, Mercer Private Wealth

·      Immediate Past President: Georgia Corp, Stratton Craig

·      Treasurer: Hannah Diffey, Corrigan Accountants

·      Honorary Secretary: Rachel Horsburgh, Imperial Brands

·      Membership Secretary: Zara Brewer, Sprague Gibbons

·      Chair of Events & Social: Laura Heard, Ashton Gate Stadium

·      Chair of Heritage & Culture: Lara Wiggin, EY

·      Chair of Marketing, PR & Social Media: Aaron Sims, Thrings LLP

·      Chairs of Business, Enterprise & Education: Kathryn Binnie, Bristol West & Rachel Griffith, Foot Anstey LLP

·      Chair of Charity: Danielle Argent, The Event Booker

·      Chair of Equality, Diversity, & Inclusion: George Hooton, Hootons Commercial

·      Chair of Sport: Rose Gentle, Avison Young

To find out more about the Bristol Junior Chamber, visit bristoljuniorchamber.co.uk or email info@bristoljuniorchamber.co.uk.