Chambers must continue to evolve - new East Lancashire chief executive

The new chief executive of East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce has called on members to talk to the Chamber as he looks to continue evolving the organisation into the future.

Simon Brierley was last week confirmed as the Chamber’s new chief executive, replacing Miranda Barker who stepped down in July.

Simon, who had been membership director for the Chamber since 2019, was previously the managing director at Lancashire Broadcasting Company, better known as 2BR.

Speaking exclusively to Lancashire Business View, his message to members was simple. Put aside any preconceptions and engage with the Chamber.

He said: “Talk to us again. It may be a year, it may be three years, or even 10 years since you've interacted with East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce."

"I can guarantee we have changed. Don't assume you know what the Chamber of Commerce is."

"Have a conversation with us and let's explore together how we can help your business."

It's important for chambers of commerce to evolve and to show businesses they aren't the same now as they were in the past.

Simon added: "One of our biggest challenges is people hear the word ‘chamber’ and they think of oak panelled boardrooms and grey men in grey suits having grey conversations. And maybe 30 years ago, that's what we were.

"Certainly in my time here, under our previous leadership with Miranda, we have evolved as an organisation.

"A chamber of 2026 has to be reflective and representative of what our members are in 2026.

"There is always a place for the strategic conversations, for roundtables, for the policy lobby and influencing stuff. And that's a big part of what we do.

"But also, our members tell us they want to make new connections and do that in a friendly, informal, fun way.

"We try to be the version of the chamber that we need to be, depending on which room we're in."

With Lancashire’s local government position now up in the air, businesses need a Chamber that can support them to navigate the unclear waters ahead.

Simon added: “At a time of massive regional change, I believe we can not only help our members to protect, connect and promote themselves, but we can help them to influence the local, national and regional agenda."

"And if it's not us speaking up for them, who is?"

Having been with the Chamber for seven years and having held a managing director role in his previous job, the opportunity to progress within the Chamber was one Simon had to go for.

He said: “It has been wonderful being here for the past seven years and I have influenced as much as I can on the senior leadership team, but the opportunity to take the helm and take the chamber in a slightly different direction at a time of change, I think plays to my strengths.

"I've got a background in driving culture and workplace engagement. That's really important to me.

"But I've got a background in change management. We did a number of significant changes in my previous business and that in itself is a skill and something that I've got experience of and something that we need as a chamber right now.

"We are adjusting, refocusing, going back to basics on our three core areas following some changes in government funding that have forced us to adjust a little bit. And I think that plays to my strengths."

The Chamber currently has around 500 members, which gives it enough clout to be an effective lobbying organisation that can promote and support business interests across East Lancashire. Having previously been membership director, Simon understands the challenges in recruiting members, but doesn’t want to bring in members simply to bolster the numbers.

He said: “I want to grow, but what I want is engaged members. I'm not the gym that delights in the person that pays their subscription and then never uses it.

"It is in every business's interest in East Lancashire, I believe, that we have a vibrant chamber that is representing their needs, because they can't all lobby individually.

"Our members, our training that we sell, our international trade consultancy and documentation that we sell is what pays for us to then advocate and represent other businesses.

"It's not chasing numbers for numbers sake. It's about engaged members and we get engaged members by giving them value."