Paul Reeves, the Chamber's Director of Membership Services, is leaving to take up a new post.

Blackburn-born Paul, who joined the Chamber in 2006 as Business Services Manager after spending four years as Rotherham Chamber's Commercial Training Manager, is moving to Brinsworth Training Centre at Templeborough.

Paul has been appointed Business Development Director of the Centre, which provides the South Yorkshire region with work-based education and apprenticeships in the engineering and manufacturing sector.

Paul, married with two children, said: "Thanks to an excellent team at the Chamber, we have managed to achieve a lot of our set goals during my time here.

"This includes revising the membership services package, growing membership to its highest ever levels, revitalising the marketing function, relaunching Chamber Recruitment Services, developing the Business Awards into an events spectacular, establishing the annual Economic Summit and increasing the Chamber's training offer in collaboration with Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber."

Before starting in business, where he initially worked on government-funded initiatives with Action 4 Employment and Barnsley and Doncaster TEC, Paul was on track to become a professional footballer, having played for Barnsley Schoolboys for five years before joining Rotherham United at 16 and also having trials for Chesterfield, Barnsley and Scunthorpe.

But ankle, shoulder and knee problems brought his career to an early end.

Paul added: "Brinsworth Training Centre are Chamber members so I am delighted that I will be retaining my links with the Chamber community."