Paul Bassi became president of Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCI) today (Thursday 15 October) and outlined several clear objectives for his year of office. 

The chairman of property investment company Bond Wolfe succeeded Bridget Blow at the BCI's annual meeting today (Thursday 15 October). His contribution to the Midlands region has already been recognised with his appointment by Buckingham Palace as High Sheriff for the West Midlands for 2009 and recently Deputy Lieutenant for the region.

Mr Bassi, the BCI's first president with Asian heritage, said he believes firmly that the Chamber's role is even more important in the current difficult economic climate.

He said: "I am greatly looking forward to expanding on the outstanding quality, commitment and dedication of the Chamber staff, particularly in the difficult operating climate."

He added: "The world is still full of opportunity and it is the Chamber's role to assist its membership to access those opportunities as a route to overcoming these challenging times."

Mr Bassi has outlined a mission during his term of office which includes re-focussing the Chamber's approach to its activities.

He said: "I firmly believe that before we can represent business, we have to be a good business ourselves and in order to achieve that we will drive harder the fresh approach we are taking to our activities.

"To become a good business the commercial engine of the Chamber needs revisiting in order to give its members added value. By doing this and staging the role as a broker, we can deliver activities that are in the best interests of members.

"I believe the Chamber is the invisible catalyst of Birmingham.  We do so much to bring together various elements on key issues, like the redevelopment of New Street Station, the extension of the runway at Birmingham International Airport and the high speed rail link between the West Midlands and London.

"The business community should more readily recognise the Chamber's involvement and it's up to the Chamber to communicate its contribution to members and non-members.

"On the Continent, where Chamber membership is compulsory for businesses in several countries, there is a highly visible Chamber brand and it is that sort of standing that we must seek to replicate in the West Midlands.

"Additionally I am very keen to expand the patronage scheme even though we already have the largest such programme in the country. Our feedback from patrons is that they get excellent value from us with direct contributions to their business objectives.

"The current economic climate may bring forward the opportunity of the merger of Chambers in the West Midlands. This may well be a sensible and prudent way of streamlining Chamber operations and Birmingham Chamber has a significant contribution to make to this.

"There are a number of other strategic changes I intend to explore with the executive and other board members."

Mr Bassi, 47, has many business interests. He co-founded Bond Wolfe in 1983 with his managing director Rory Daly. He is also chairman of Bigwood was formerly the regional chairman of Coutts Bank and is now High Sheriff of the West Midlands and Deputy Lieutenant for the region. He is also a director of Birmingham Hippodrome.

His business successes have received widespread acclaim. Recognised as one of the "Top 100" most powerful and influential individuals in the Midlands by Finance Insider and a former Asian Jewel Award Entrepreneur of the year, Mr Bassi became the youngest winner, at 43, of the Lloyds TSB Lifetime Achievement Award for services to business and the community. 

The same year he was listed in the Bank of Scotland "Asian Power 100".