Sheffield businessman and communications specialist Alexis Krachai has been appointed Sheffield Chamber of Commerce’s new President.
Alexis is a Non-Executive Director on the Chamber’s board and led the organisation during the pandemic as Co-Interim Chief Executive, alongside the now permanent Chief Executive Louisa Harrison-Walker.
He brings a wealth of knowledge to the role, as both Managing Director of specialist communications agency Counter Context and a leading figure in the region’s business community.
Between 2017 and 2021, Alexis led the set up of the Sheffield Property Association (S-PA), the only formally constituted property association outside of London, and in 2019 played a central role in the formation of the Sheffield Culture Collective to drive investment in culture across the city.
“Together there is nothing we cannot achieve in Sheffield, but we must not dodge the difficult conversations about how to build greater strength and resilience in our economy.”
During the pandemic, he also co-chaired Sheffield’s Covid-19 Business Recovery Group which formulated the first economic (recovery) plan approved by Sheffield City Council in over a decade.
Alexis took over from the outgoing President Karen Mosley, Managing Director of HLM Architects, at the Chamber’s AGM this week, where he outlined his plans for his upcoming two-year term, with a focus on supporting businesses and spearheading cultural investment in Sheffield.
His priorities include representing Chamber members when they need support and a strong voice to advocate for their interests with local and central government.
Alexis said: “I am honoured to take on the responsibility of being President of the Chamber and representing our members. Sheffield has momentum but, like many cities, it must wrestle with many challenges that will impact businesses and the wider economy over the coming years.
“Together there is nothing we cannot achieve in Sheffield, but we must not dodge the difficult conversations about how to build greater strength and resilience in our economy. Without a stronger economy, we cannot address the inequality in the city or face the mounting challenges like energy and food price rises and the impacts of extreme weather.
“Sheffield does not get enough funding for culture from the Government. The solution to that starts with us locally. I will be working hard to make the case that local businesses have such an important role to play by investing in culture and making Sheffield one of the most exciting and interesting places to be 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”
In her time as longest serving President (outside of wartime), Karen achieved a great amount, including chairing the Skills Accelerator Advisory Board, which supported the development of the Local Skills Improvement Plan, and co-chairing the South Yorkshire Skills Advisory Board on behalf of the Chamber.
“I will be working hard to make the case that local businesses have such an important role to play by investing in culture and making Sheffield one of the most exciting and interesting places to be 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”
Karen said: “During my time as Chamber President, we have seen great progress in breaking down barriers for young people. With the help of our Chamber members, we’ve been able to turn policy into funding and an action plan to create a more agile skills system, unleashing more talent to provide real business benefit.”
The AGM was also an opportunity for SCCI to celebrate the successes of the past year, recognise the achievements made by Karen, welcome new council and board members, and review financial performance over the last 12 months.
Members took the opportunity to give thanks to those of Chamber board and council whose terms have come to an end. They celebrated Charles Turner, Dan Broadbent, Nick Pearson, Hermann Beck and Dan Shore, who have all completed their terms on Chamber Council.
James Berry and Martin McKervey have stepped down from the Board of Directors following the completion of their three-year terms, and Grace Brierley, has also completed two terms on Council and a term as Chair of the Nominations Committee.