Chamber welcomes new Chairman at annual general meeting
01/09/2007
The Chamber said goodbye to one Chairman and welcomed a new one at its annual general meeting last week. At the meeting, held at Butterfield Business and Technology Park in Luton, Richard Combes stood down as Chair of the Chamber after six years of service to the organisation. Voted to replace Mr Combes was Chamber Deputy Chairman Brian Hibbert.
Brian Hibbert was Managing Director of Lockheed Martin UK Insys Limited until his retirement in November 2006 since when he has been a consultant to the company. In 2001 he was MD for a management buyout of the long established Ampthill defence systems company Hunting Engineering Limited. The company was purchased by Lockheed Martin UK Holdings in October 2005. Mr Hibbert initially joined Hunting from Rolls Royce in 1973 where, after a number of different roles in engineering and project management, he was appointed Engineering Director in 1991 and Managing Director in 1993.
A qualified Chartered Engineer and European Engineer, Mr Hibbert is a member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers as well as Vice-President and Fellow of the Society of Environmental Engineers. He has served on a number of influential aerospace trade organisations such as the Society of British Aerospace Companies, is a member of the Court of Cranfield University, a member of the Institute of Directors and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. In the 2004 New Year's Honours List he was awarded the CBE for services to the Defence Industry.
Commenting on his appointment as Chair, Mr Hibbert said:
'I am delighted to be the Chamber's new Chairman. Richard Combes has done sterling work as Chairman taking the Chamber through some challenging periods. I hope that I will be able to continue Richard's good work, ensuring the Chamber fulfils its vital role in making Bedfordshire and Luton a great place to do business.'
Outgoing Chairman Richard Combes wished Mr Hibbert and the Chamber well. He urged attendees to encourage other businesses to support their local Chamber:
'The Chamber is a key player in the local business community. In my opinion it's the duty of every business to be part of the Chamber and ensure that there really is a genuine voice for local business.'
