GEORGE - Changes are afoot at the George Business Chamber. The chief executive officer, Ingrid Cronjé, is retiring and a former chairperson, Dr Willie Cilliers, is back on the board. Cilliers is also the chairperson of the AHi Western Cape.
Brenda Vorster remains the chairperson of the chamber. She was elected to the position in October last year.
Cronjé confirmed her resignation on Monday, saying that she is retiring. She is 63 years old. She joined the chamber on 1 March 2010.
To make sure there is a decent handover process and continuity, she will stay on until the end of April while they advertise for a suitable successor.
"The time has arrived for me to retire. I am going to use the time to travel with my husband Tommy," she said. She still feels healthy and would like to enjoy life and travel in our beautiful country.
According to her it was exciting and amazing to work at the chamber. She loved the job. It wasn't without a lot of soul searching. "We worked hard." She will still be available to help with initiatives of the chamber that she has been involved with.
Vorster said they are in the process of finalising the board. Cilliers was asked to join the board and has accepted. At the moment the other board members are Keith Sharpe, Theo Adams and Henry Grobler.
The chamber is revising its strategy. Everything has changed because of Covid-19 and things have to be done in new ways. "We want to be creative and innovative."
The chamber wants to make sure that the members go back to normal as soon as possible. The chamber morning marketing sessions are going well and the network sessions will commence soon, but on a smaller scale.
Cilliers, when approached for comment, confirmed he has accepted the nomination to be on the board.
"George Business Chamber must have a huge impact on the economy. We are looking at plans to make a difference," he said.
Dr Willie Cilliers, new board member and also chairperson of the AHi Western Cape.
Good news for members
At a recent board meeting it was agreed that the affiliation fees for 2021 will remain the same as in 2020. According to a statement, the decision was made to support affiliates in response to the effects that Covid-19 has had on their respective businesses and as a token of sincere appreciation to affiliates who have remained loyal to the chamber, despite their own challenges which they have faced over the past year.
Brenda Vorster, chairperson of the George Business Chamber.
Who is the George Business Chamber?
'The George Business Chamber was established in 2002 when the George Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the George Sakekamer amalgamated to become the George Business Chamber. In 2015, the George Business Chamber NPC Southern Cape was formally registered as a non-profit company.
The primary purpose of the chamber is to facilitate the unlocking of business opportunities for all businesses by supporting and developing them through networking events and support to ensure sustainable growth.
On Monday it had just short of 300 members.
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