For the first time, the Chamber has separated the presidential role from the chair of the business board to open it up to a broader list of candidates.
After an interview process this autumn, Sandra – who has a background in business, music, broadcasting and charity work – was chosen as the stand-out candidate and revealed how HM The King played a part in her pushing herself forward for the post.
“I am absolutely thrilled and honoured to become the new Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce president,” she said.
“I decided quite late in the day to go for it. I was awarded an OBE for services to charities and music last year, which I was completely surprised by. It comes with a huge scroll, which is signed by King Charles III, and it talks about giving back and passing on the baton.
“This role felt like a really positive way of doing that and so it inspired me to put myself forward. This is a very progressive Chamber and I want to use my experience and knowledge to help the team build on that.”
Sandra was born in Bristol – her father was part of the Windrush generation – but, at the age of eight, the family moved to Jamaica.
They moved back to the UK shortly after and, after living in Derby and then Loughborough, she moved to Coventry after landing a role with Coventry Cathedral. She later became business development manager for the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
Her dream of being a singer was fulfilled, recording albums and winning awards before becoming a well-known voice on the regional airwaves as a broadcaster with the BBC.
Sandra has also worked with a range of charities including Feed The Hungry, Positive Youth Foundation and Mind.
“I have worked with a wide variety of charities,” she said. “I really enjoyed supporting Positive Youth Foundation and helping to inspire young people to follow their dreams.
“When I performed on the main stage at Godiva Festival, some of the young people were with me which was great.”
Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce’s only previous female president was Dr Isabella Moore CBE, who later became the British Chambers of Commerce first female president.
Sandra added: “I don’t want it just to be about me being a woman – the first black woman – to be president of our Chamber of Commerce as I want to bring all of my experience in business, storytelling and my love of this region to the role.”
Steve Harcourt said: “I have loved my two years as president and I am a little bit sad to be handing over the presidential chain of office to signify the end of this chapter. I have learnt such a lot in my time within this role.
“But I cannot think of anyone better than Sandra to take us forward and I wish her every success.”
Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce represents members of all sizes and sectors from across the city and county and helps to connect businesses across the region with one another.
Corin Crane, chief executive of the Chamber, said: “I am so pleased to have Sandra on board – she really stood out and will be brilliant ambassador for us.
“Steve has done an amazing job over the past two years and kick-started a period of transformation for the Chamber which means we move forward to even more exciting times of growth and innovation as well as taking championing local businesses to a whole new level!”
