Sheffield Chamber of Commerce Announces New Permanent Chief Executive

19th October 2022

Sheffield Chamber of Commerce has announced its new permanent Chief Executive as Louisa Harrison-Walker.

Louisa has led the organisation in an interim capacity for the past 24 months with Joint Interim Executive Director Alexis Krachai, who returns to a non-executive director role.

The well-respected business leaders stepped into the role during the pandemic as part of a “turn around project” that has included restructuring the organisation, redesigning the financial management and re-imagining the core membership offer.

“As Joint Interim Directors, our aim has been to create solid foundations on which to work collaboratively with our members, anchor institutions and stakeholders in the region,” said Louisa.

“We know we are stronger when we come together. It is this spirit of collaboration and community that I'd like to foster further.

“Chamber colleagues, those on our council and our board, and the incredible members in our Chamber community deserve credit for playing their part in the Chamber network, convening, championing and supporting businesses and communities here in Sheffield.”

Louisa, who recently completed the sale of award-winning Sheffield-based ethical recruitment and retention firm Benchmark, which she founded in 2006, paid tribute to communications agency MD Alexis Krachai with whom she’s shared the interim role.

“I'd like to put on record my thanks to my job share Alexis. With a significant business to run himself, we've been lucky to have him involved much longer than the original six months we both planned. Thankfully he will still be on the board and in the Presidential cycle so he's not escaping just yet!”

Karen Mosley, Sheffield Chamber President, added: “Louisa brings over 20 years’ experience and knowledge of working with organisations across our city.  She is a truly passionate advocate for Sheffield and an inspirational leader.”

James Needham, Sheffield Chamber’s Board Chairman, said: “Over the last two years Louisa, together with Alexis Krachai, have worked hard to build a solid foundation from which the Chamber can continue to grow. They have attracted over £1m funding to support skills and employment across the region, improved the financial standing of the Chamber, represented the voice of Sheffield businesses locally, regionally and nationally, whilst building a strong internal team.

“The Board would like to thank Alexis for his hard work and commitment to help us reach our current position of stability and are looking forward to his continuing support as a member of the Board. As we go towards the future, we are looking forward to continuing our journey with Louisa’s leadership.”

Louisa, a mum of two, plays an active role in the Sheffield community serving as both a trustee and non-executive director at South Yorkshire Housing Association; St Luke’s Hospice; Higher Education Partnership (with Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Sheffield); Common Purpose UK; and Made in Sheffield.

She is also co-chair of business group Sheffield Business Together and has helped deliver several community initiatives such as the Go Green Fence, an anti-pollution green wall at a city primary school and food bank donations totalling £182k for 16 foodbanks in Sheffield.

Louisa is the Chair of The Sheffield City Growth Board, the private sector board working alongside Sheffield City Council to support and promote economic development in the city.

For more than 150 years, Sheffield Chamber of Commerce has supported, connected and represented businesses of all sizes.

Increasingly, the Chamber is also setting the regional agenda on major issues of concern such as climate change, learning and skills, employment, and social mobility.

Louisa is a frequent media commentator who flies the flag for the region and recently appeared on BBC Newsnight discussing the region’s economic strengths.