News / Jaya Chakrabarti
New president of Bristol Chamber of Commerce & Initiative
A new president has been announced for the Bristol Chamber of Commerce & Initiative.
Jaya Chakrabarti MBE becomes the first female president of the chamber, which was founded in 1823.
The social entrepreneur and community activist, who sits on various boards, is also the first president from a British Asian background.
She replaces outgoing president Richard Bonner, who is stepping down to chair the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership.
Jaya, who has served as vice president of the chamber for the last seven years, co-founded digital agency Nameless in 1999 and was awarded an MBE in 2014.
She also founded supply chain transparency tool TISCreport in 2016 and is CEO of data-driven afforestation initiative Project Vana.
Jaya Chakrabarti MBE is the first female president of Bristol Chamber of Commerce & Initiative in its 197-year history. Photo courtesy of Jaya Chakrabarti
Speaking about her new role, Jaya said: “I am proud to be part of the West of England Initiative and our network of Chambers.
“Our Chamber network has grown on the foundations of a strong love and vision for the West of England.
“It takes a special sort of business leader to recognise that a sustainably successful business can only thrive where there is social and environmental justice. And we have these leaders in spades.”
James Durie, chief executive of Bristol Chamber of Commerce & Initiative, added: “Jaya is a true polymath and has been a driving force behind our focus on a range of issues.
“As our region’s businesses and communities emerge out of the pandemic, Jaya will help spearhead our work to rebuild the local economy.
“She is someone who makes things happen.”
Main photo supplied by Business West
Read more: New chair for West of England LEP
Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast:
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
