The Black Country Chamber of Commerce has announced that it has appointed current Leicester & Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) director, Corin Crane, as its new Chief Executive.

As director of Leicester & Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership Corin has overall responsibility for around £200m of funds to drive regeneration in the Leicestershire area and to help the growth of local businesses. He is currently also chair of the European Structural Funds Committee, which oversees the management of around £90m of funding aimed at SME business growth.

Corin also founded and chairs the Leicester Business Festival, an annual two week festival with around 100 business-led events, and was previously head of Economic Partnerships and Inward Investment at Wolverhampton City Council.
According to the Chamber, Corin said of his new role: “I am really proud to be taking up this role as Chief Executive at the Black Country Chamber of Commerce.

“I know the area well and understand what a diverse and entrepreneurial cluster of businesses are based here, with such a clear sense of identity. I also know that for all the opportunities there are at the moment for forward looking businesses, there are also a huge amount of challenges from Brexit, from a slow-down in Manufacturing, imports being hit by a weaker pound and foreign investors delaying decisions in an uncertain political environment.

“The Chamber has a long history of supporting businesses to seize opportunities regardless of national economic trends and in making the business voice heard at every level of decision makers. I’m looking forward to working with the Chamber team and Black Country businesses to continue to do all this and more.”

Black Country Chamber of Commerce President, Adrian Wright, said: “I am thrilled with the appointment of Corin Crane as the new Black Country Chamber Chief Executive.

“Corin can really help build for the future by creating a bigger and stronger Chamber to support local businesses. He also has a wealth of experience and knowledge to bring to his new role which will help to continue the great work the Chamber team is doing.”

Corin will take up his new role by October 2016 to help support the growth and future of the Chamber, which provides support to businesses throughout the Black Country.