BHSF has announced the appointment of Brian Hall, the Group’s Chief Commercial Officer, as the new Regional Chairman of the Institute of Directors in the West Midlands.
An adopted ‘West Midlands-er’, he supersedes Dr Jason Wouhra OBE – Director and Company Secretary of East End Foods plc, who was previously appointed in April 2013.
As Chief Commercial Officer, Brian has been instrumental in the growth of BHSF; increasing turnover from approximately £12 mil to £44 mil during his time with the business.
Brian, a Chartered Director, was awarded the prestigious IoD West Midlands Director of the Year title in 2015. He was later appointed to the IoD’s National Council in June 2016, and sits on both the Corporate Governance Committee and the Brexit Committee which examines its impact on UK businesses.
Between 2010 and 2017, he has also served on the West Midlands Council of the CBI. In his career to date, Brian has assisted boards as diverse as social-lending businesses, environmental start-ups, as well as a non-league football club.
He is a keen promoter of diversity, particularly supporting women in business, and the role professional development can play in helping Directors build their businesses.
Speaking at the IoD Director of the Year Breakfast, Brian said: “It is an honour to be appointed as Regional Chairman of the Institute of Directors, West Midlands.
“I have some big shoes to fill, as I follow on from Jason; that’s a tough act to follow!”
Brian will serve as the Regional Chairman for the next three-years, during which time Britain will exit from the European Union, Birmingham will host the Commonwealth Games, Coventry will have its year as ‘City of Culture’, the development of a new high-speed railway – HS2 will take shape in the region; all this against the back drop of the fourth industrial revolution.
With the above in mind, Brian has announced the appointment of Vice Chairman, Jackie Hendley, to assist in representing the region’s Directors.
Jackie is the Head of Tax for Smith Cooper – a leading firm of accountants based in the West Midlands. She has more than 23-years’ experience in the accounting, auditing and tax industry, and was a partner at KPMG for 11-years.
Jackie and Brian will work together to ensure that the Birmingham business-scene thrives during these exciting times and ensure that the 1,500 members making up the West Midlands region feel that they are represented in the wider UK business community.
Ian Galer, Chief Executive Officer at BHSF, said: “I would like to congratulate Brian on this appointment, and the business is happy to support him with the time commitments that this role will bring.
“We have established ourselves as a company who give back to the community, and we recognise the genuine value that the Institute of Directors brings to the region.
“I am confident that Brian’s passion and skill-set will be suited to the prestigious nature of this role, and that this will benefit the IoD locally.”