Leader of Peterborough’s primary voice of business to step down after 17 years

John Bridge is to bow out as chief executive of the Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce after 17 years in the role.

Mr Bridge (70) who was awarded the OBE in former Prime Minister John Major’s Resignation Honours List in July 1997, will stand down at the end of April to focus on new ventures and other related projects.

He will be replaced by Vic Annells, a former diplomat and currently Executive Director of Mansion House and the Central Criminal Court.

Mr Bridge said: “I’ve enjoyed a long and terrific run as Chief Executive, and I’ve had the privilege of working with the most fantastic people at the Chamber and across the region.

“For me, it’s always been about team, collaboration and cooperation and I am immensely proud of all that we have achieved together over the last 17 years – from the vital A14 road upgrade through to simply elevating the region’s individual business voices.”

Mr Bridge’s decision comes as the region prepares for a new post-pandemic era.

He said: “It is my belief that, having successfully navigated the challenges of the pandemic and launched the Local Business/ Global Trade Champion initiative in 2020 - laying the groundwork for our businesses to come together and build a different, more inclusive future for themselves - this is the right time to be handing on the Chief Executive ‘baton’.

During his time in office, Mr Bridge has developed the Chamber into a vibrant, member-focused organisation and enhanced its relationships with key private and public sector bodies.

He was also privileged to lead the Chamber 100 Year celebrations in 2017.

A Chamber spokesperson said: “With a wealth of business knowledge and experience, John has been committed to driving the region’s economic success - engaging with our local businesses through to expanding global trade opportunities, ensuring that businesses always have the support, services and connections to thrive particularly now with the change of EU trading relationships.

“His defining legacy, however, is undoubtedly the £1.5 billion upgrade of the notorious A14 dual carriageway, which John campaigned tirelessly and doggedly for - for over 22 years.

“He first raised the importance of the essential upgrade in an interview in 1994 when he was still Eastern & Southern Regional Chairman of the Road Haulage Association.

“But John never gave up – believing, rightly, that an upgrade would combat congestion, improve safety and quality of life, unlock growth and, most importantly, connect people.

“And, some 22 years later, in November 2016, work finally started on the road’s treacherous Cambridge to Huntingdon stretch, and completed last May.”

Among his many duties, Mr Bridge was honoured to be appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant to the HM Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire in 2014, now Mrs Julie Spence, the Queen’s representative for Cambridgeshire, assisting her in the performance of any public duty across the county.

From 2008, John was Chairman of Opportunity Peterborough, a role he performed for almost nine years, driving the momentum as well as the economic vision and aspirations for Peterborough.

Between 2011 – 2018, he also served as Director, and later Chair, of the Nominations and Remuneration Committee and Local Transport Panel for the Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

Brian Jones, Chairman of Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce, said: “John has been a most committed and determined Chief Executive, always with the region’s best interests at heart - and his very significant contribution to the county is clear in all that he has achieved while he’s been at the helm.

“We wish John every success with his new ventures and are delighted that he will continue to work closely with the Chamber on a number of related projects in the future.”