Marking our 75th anniversary
April 2023 to March 2024 marked an incredible year for Bristol Junior Chamber as we celebrated the organisation’s 75th anniversary. Since 1948, the organisation has aimed to promote trade, commerce and industry in the city, and to provide members with professional networking and skills-development opportunities. Tod.ay, we’re 130+ strong and welcoming many new members every year.
It was a brilliant year exploring BJC’s history and its position in the community, and we’re grateful to our network of members, alumni, Past Presidents, Honorary Vice Presidents, sponsors and friends who have joined us to celebrate this year.
Monthly Meetings
Throughout the year, we welcomed some fantastic guests to our Monthly Meetings who spoke to us about local initiatives, Bristol history, personal career journeys, professional development and charitable organisations. Our speakers included:
Kathryn Davis
MD of Visit West
Kate Gough
Head of Youth Services
at Creative Youth Network
Jill Maidment
Founder of Natural Talent
Millie Flemington-Clare
CEO of Human Beauty
Poku Osei
CEO of Babbasa
Jane Duffus
Author of The Women
Who Built Bristol
Ben Akers
Co-CEO and Founder of Talk Club
Rachel Mostyn
Co-Founder and CEO of Womens’ Work Lab
We also hosted a panel session where BJC Past Presidents Kate Woosnam, Margaret Cavanna, Karl Brown and Robert Durie joined Bristol Initiative Director Victoria Matthews to explore BJC’s history and its role in the city in 2024.
A huge thank you to all our guest speakers, as well as to the businesses and organisations who kindly hosted us, including Burges Salmon, Creative Youth Network, Thrings, RSM, Bristol Beer Factory, Bishop Fleming, Foot Anstey and Mercer.
Council of Management
My heartfelt thanks also go to the 2023-2024 Council of Management for their energy, commitment, creativity and kindness throughout their time in role. Every year, a tight-knit team volunteers to support BJC and make sure our members can enjoy a diverse calendar of events and activities, and this year was no exception:
Emma Carter
Vice President
Kate Woosnam
Immediate Past President
Sam Mitchell
Treasurer
Catherine Harris
Company Secretary
Zara Brewer
Membership Secretary
Connor Jones
Honorary Secretary
Louise Kiely
Chair of Marketing,
PR and Social Media
Kathryn Binnie
Chair of Business and Enterprise
Hannah Cole
Chair of Education and Skills
Tom Shorland
Chair of Heritage and Culture
Amy Moody / Oliver Stavrakakis
Chairs of Events and Social
Danielle Argent
Chair of Charity
George Hooton
Chair of Equality,
Diversity, and Inclusion
Rachel Orrett
Chair of Sport
Looking ahead
Thank you all – our members, alumni, friends, sponsors and supporters – for such a brilliant year, celebrating the organisation’s 75th anniversary. It was a spectacular year and a privilege to hold the role of President 2023-2024.
It was fantastic to step into the role of Immediate Past President and welcome Emma Carter as President 2024-2025 in April, and it’s certainly been an exciting start to the year. I look forward to supporting Emma and the Council of Management in the months ahead!
