Scott Knowles appointed as Chamber Chief Executive

Scott Knowles has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire).

He had been the Chamber’s Acting Chief Executive since his predecessor, George Cowcher, stepped down in July.

Scott joined the Chamber in 1999. Over the past 16 years, he has managed multiple initiatives, including capital infrastructure projects and programmes to support the creation of new businesses and to boost access to finance.

He was responsible for developing the Chamber’s enterprise and business support products and services, its back office functions – including ICT and finance, its property portfolio and its managed workspace offer. He represents the interests of the business community on a number of public and private sector groups and bodies across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire.

He said: “I am excited by this opportunity. The organisation has gone through a number of significant changes since the merger between the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire Chambers in 2013, and there are exciting times ahead for the Chamber and the region.

“We can look forward to growing our membership base and enhancing the products and services we offer to businesses across the three counties.”

Chamber President Liz Fothergill CBE, on behalf of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, who expressed their total confidence in the proposal that Mr Knowles be appointed as permanent Chief Executive, added: “I’m delighted to appoint Scott as the Chamber’s new Chief Executive. The Chamber has made a huge amount of progress since the merger, with the support of his senior leadership team, will ensure that the Chamber can continue to add real value to the business community here in the East Midlands.”