IT was clear when I accepted the offer to join the team of the Somerset Chamber of Commerce that the role of CEO was just too good an opportunity to miss.

Having returned from a 14 month spell in the Middle East and what I’d decided would be my final role for a large multi-national corporate, I had planned to take my time to find a role that I wanted to do, rather than one I had to.

I did not expect that role to present itself quite so quickly, and my early interest was cemented when I met the Chamber team in Taunton back in December. Their enthusiasm was tangible, and when I was then taken through the journey the Chamber has made over the past nine years, I knew it was something I wanted to be part of.

In the run-up to officially starting my new role on February 2, I attended a number of Chamber events where I had the pleasure to meet some of the members and partners. I have been overwhelmed by the warmth of the welcome I have received from everyone I’ve met. What has really struck me is the passion that business people have, not only for their own businesses, but for the wider Somerset community. It is an honour to be able to represent Somerset businesses and the county as whole, and something I am very much looking forward to.

Somerset is a county of natural beauty where having the perfect work/life balance is a reality, not just an aspiration. Its attraction as a business centre will be substantially enhanced with the delivery of improved infrastructure, notably the A303 dual carriageway and superfast broadband, both of which are now imminent.

As these links improve, while the cost of operation in major UK cities such as London and Bristol continues to increase, Somerset is perfectly positioned to be the destination of choice for new and relocating businesses. Being part of that process and helping local businesses take advantage of unique growth opportunities such as the Hinkley Point C development is a very exciting prospect.

Just a couple of weeks into my new role, I can already see what a fascinating and fulfilling position this is going to be!