The head of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce will be helping to shape national policy after sweeping to victory in the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) elections with a big majority.

Sheffield Chamber chief executive Nigel Tomlinson has been successfully elected to the BCC board after beating his opponent by a majority of nearly 26,000 votes and securing more than 75 per cent of votes cast.

His BCC role will also see the Chamber chief joining the BCC’s policy teams to assist in the formulation of policy with the political parties over the next two years

Nigel said: “This is a fantastic opportunity and a great vote of confidence in Sheffield Chamber’s ability and growing national stature.

“I stood for election with the aim of first actively seeking change and reform to the BCC and its network and secondly, repositioning the chambers at a critical time for the UK’s economy and businesses in the run-up to the next general election.

“The BCC must play a significant role in influencing the future policies of the political parties, while maintaining a lead role within the European Chamber network to influence EU policy and I will be working to encourage this.

“I am naturally delighted at the level of support that I have been given by chambers across the UK and am looking forward to this new challenge, while ensuring my focus remains 100 per cent on developments in the city’s own ‘backyard’.”

Nigel will take his seat on the BCC board in London following the BCC AGM on July 17th and will hold the board position for a three-year term.

Nigel took the helm of Sheffield Chamber in 1997 as one of the then youngest CEOs in the country. He is a director of the Yorkshire and Humber Chambers of Commerce and a lecturer in leadership skills, motivation, change management systems and international trade for Eurochambres and UNIDO - the United Nations’ specialised industrial agency.