Lisa becomes chamber’s second female president

Lisa Pogson of Swallownest-based Airmaster is also the first woman selected to lead the Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce since the two town branches merged in 2008.

Ms Pogson, who is resources director at the heating and air conditioning company and currently vice-presiden of the Chamber, is the new president elect and is due to take on the top job next year.

She becomes the first female president since Julie Kenny, now a supporting commissioner with Rotherham Borough Council, was elected to the post in 1998.

Ms Pogson said she was passionate about literacy and learning, having worked closely with literacy charity Grimm and Co, for which she is a trustee.

“Literacy, reading and learning has been so important on my own journey, and I immediately felt compelled to help Grimm's chief executive Deborah Bullivant,” she said.

“Every study into literacy shows it has a massive effect on people’s life chances.

“It cannot be right that last year, English 16 to 24 year olds came 22nd out of 24 countries measured for literacy levels by the OECD.

“It is vital that children enjoy reading - reading for pleasure is more important than either wealth or social class as an indicator of success at school.”

Andrew Denniff, chief executive of the Chamber, said: “I am delighted that Lisa has committed to becoming our President in 2016 and her unanimous appointment as our president-elect at the recent AGM reflects the high regard our members have for her.

“I look forward to working closely with her over the next few months, during what will be an exciting but challenging time for everyone here at the Chamber.”