A new president has been appointed at the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce.
Nasir Awan, the boss of international wholesale firm Awan Marketing, said he hoped to help businesses “create new opportunities locally, nationally and internationally” during his two year term.
He will succeed Deb Leary in the role.
Nasir said: “It is a great honour and a privilege to become Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce president and it is a role that comes with huge responsibility.
“I take over as president at a time where we are facing a lot of challenges nationally, internationally, and also locally.
“There are a lot of challenges ahead for businesses with the cost of energy and the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East pushing prices up.
“Established businesses will have to redefine and realign their costings and overcome a number of hurdles.
“But we are here to offer support as a Chamber and, as president, my door will always be open for businesses to come and talk to me.
“I want to ensure that businesses in Greater Birmingham survive and flourish, creating new opportunities locally, nationally and internationally.”
Nasir is the CEO of importing and wholesale company Awan Marketing, headquartered in the Hockley area of Birmingham.
The business was founded in 1976 and now distributes for household brands, as well as having established suppliers from Vietnam, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Korea, India, Pakistan and Europe.
Chambers chairman Greg Lowson said: “Nasir has a wealth of invaluable experience to draw upon, from his own business ventures to his appointment as a Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands.
“I would like to thank Deb Leary for her time as president. Deb’s tenure has been marked with some remarkable moments for the city-region, with the hosting of the Commonwealth Games in 2022 being the highlight.
“At the start of her role Deb highlighted that global trade, innovation and collaboration would be the key pillars of her presidency and it has been fantastic to see how she has pushed these themes over the last two years.”
Mike Owens, the managing director of Schumacher Packaging, has been confirmed as the new vice-president.