Chat from the Chair – Hunting my successor

Have you ever had to find your successor? You rarely have to do that. If you have ever been employed, then your bosses advertise your role and find your successor. In a voluntary committee, like Stowmarket Chamber, someone normally steps forward. But having shared my intention to step down next year, and we want interested people to let me know if they would like to consider the Chairperson’s role, no one seems to want my job.

We have discussed this as a committee and wonder whether people need to know a little more about the role, so they know you don’t have to be just like Colin. (No need for more than one of me!)

So, here is a little about the role of the Chair, to see if someone would consider taking it on.

The role of the Chair

I’ve always thought the title, ‘Chair’ person or Chairman or Chairwoman, is funny. Because it suggests that you either like chairs (e.g., “oh he’s a bit of a chair person’) or are a chair made from a person. Very strange, really! However, we know it really means that you ‘chair’ the committee, acting like a conductor in an orchestra to enable meetings and operations to run smoothly. So, what are the key components of the role of chair so you can explore if the role is for you?

1. Chair the committee meetings.
These run once a month. As Chair, I
• draw up the agenda with input from people
• ensure meetings are minuted and minutes filed

2. Operational
Ensure that we have roles in the committee to meet our objectives as an organisation
• Establish what is needed
• Delegate roles to the committee
• Review how things are working (with the committee and with individuals)
• Discuss improvements with committee members

3. Strategic direction
I work with the committee to
• Evaluate the current position of support for members
• Plan improvements

4. Liaison
• Liaise with linked organisations, e.g., Suffolk Chamber; FSB
• Keep members informed of how we are doing, e.g., Annual Report; Chairs Chat

5. Public face
• Host meetings, e.g., breakfast, coffee.
• Attend local events on behalf of the Stowmarket Chamber
Both of these roles can be delegated to committee members and members

6. Practical
• Third signatory on bank payments
• Problem-solve any issues arising.

So, does that make it clearer what the Chair of Stowmarket Chamber does? The hosting of meetings is a small part, and that is the part that others can share. The role is mainly about being a conductor, ensuring the team work well together to serve members and moving forward to meet the needs of the members.

Time

I guess any future Chair wants to know what time it can take up. It is as much as you want to give it. In reality, it is

a) the meetings you attend. If you go to breakfast and coffee, that is 4-5 hours a month.
b) a committee meeting (1 hour) and prep before and notes after (another hour).
c) some ad hoc hours, e.g., 2 a month. So, an average month would be 9 hours a month.

What is in place

I have loved my time as Chair. At the risk of sounding like Kier Starmer listing his prime-ministerial achievements, we now have in place:

• Committee with clear roles
• Improved membership enrolment systems
• Healthy finances
• Professional documents and storage system
• Strong media presence
• Well thought of by local organisations
• An excellent yearly business exhibition
• Healthiest membership numbers we have ever had
• A thriving, supportive community. The new Chamber Chat is a lovely example of that.

Most of this is due to the hard work of the committee. I have just overseen it and given direction. The structure is in place. It’s now about growing membership.

What next?

We are looking for a chair that can continue the direction of travel. Someone who can woo more businesses to join. Someone who can empower a team to do their roles well.

Handing on the baton

We love the sense of belonging and community that Stowmarket Chamber can bring to small business leaders, and we want people to help us continue that. For the role of chair, we want someone who shares that passion to help bring businesses together to help them thrive.

So, if you are interested in giving a little time to take the Stowmarket Chamber on its journey in the role of Chair, then please have a chat with me to explore it further.

For the Future

I’m always happy to receive any suggestions for what members want to see the Chamber doing in the future. Please send your ideas (and your wish lists) to [email protected]

Dates for your diary:

Please check the website in case of any last-minute changes.

Coffee Morning	Breakfast Networking
Humber Doucy Brewing Company Finbows Yard, Station Road Bacton, Stowmarket IP14 4NJ	The Mix Stowmarket, 127 Ipswich Street Stowmarket IP14 1BB
Friday, 3 July 2026	Friday, 17 July 2026
10:00 am to 12:00 pm	7:15 am to 9:00 am

For more information, contact Keely Taylor by email: [email protected].