Kim Leary has been appointed as chairwoman of Downtown in Business Birmingham taking over from the tenure of Professor Paul Cadman.
Frank Mckenna, Chief Executive and Group Chairman of Downtown, said: “I would like to thank Paul for all his hard work on behalf of DIB over the past challenging twelve months.
“Obviously, I am delighted to welcome Kim to the chairs’ role, during a time of real opportunity for the business. Despite the current difficulties businesses are facing, DIB has been able to continue to grow by offering a range of on-line events, support to the city’s hospitality sector and lobbying services for companies who, more than ever, need to influence politicians and decision-makers.
“Kim has the perfect profile for Downtown. She is a young, dynamic entrepreneur who understands and appreciates what businesses need and she is hugely committed to the growth of Birmingham. I am really looking forward to working with her.”
Kim is a well-known, award winning, Midlands entrepreneur and businesswoman. She started her design agency, Squibble in 2010 and her creative team craft effective websites that help growing brands to drive forwards and gain momentum.
Kim is also Chair of the board for Birmingham Tech CIC Its sole focus is to shine a global spotlight on the tech businesses within Birmingham and the West Midlands, with a particular focus on supporting these companies to scale through its accelerator programme.
Kim commented “I have been a member of Downtown since it came to Birmingham in 2016. I consider Downtown to be a key player in supporting businesses within Birmingham. Therefore, I was absolutely thrilled to have been asked to join the team as Chair. I will continue to champion the members of DIB and look forward to the day we can all network together again. In the meantime, I encourage all members to reach out to me for a virtual coffee. I’d love to know more about your business and how I can help connect you to the right people.”
Outgoing DIB Birmingham chair, Professor Paul Cadman commented; “I have enjoyed the position of Chair of Downtown in Business Birmingham’, a role I have relished for the opportunities it provides and the influence the organisation now exerts. We have witnessed an unprecedented increase in membership numbers, and I have had the opportunity to speak in public forums with local luminaries such as Andy Street, Carl Chinn and many others.
“I consider networking essential to Birmingham’s business fabric. While I have stepped down from the organisation due to an increase in other professional commitments, I will continue to take a keen interest in its future success. Kim Leary is an outstanding successor and someone who will undoubtedly enable DIB to continue to thrive.”
