Recruitment firm managing director Helen Lacey has been elected as the new vice chair of Somerset Chamber of Commerce.
Helen, pictured, who founded Red Berry Recruitment in 2007, was unanimously voted in by the Chamber’s board of directors at its December meeting. 
Red Berry, which specialises in supplying temporary, permanent and contract staff to the commercial and industrial sectors, has grown rapidly and now has offices in Shepton Mallet, Yeovil and Bridgwater.
Helen, who is also chair of the Somerset branch of the Institute of Directors, has been a Somerset Chamber director for the past two years.
Previous vice chair Greg Saunders, a partner in the Taunton office of national law firm Clarke Willmott, was elected as the new chair at Chamber’s AGM in November.
This followed the departure of Graham Knight, who stood down as chair after completing the maximum permitted three years.
Helen said: “A couple of years ago it was suggested by Graham that I put myself forward as a potential board member for the Chamber. I was delighted to be voted in and so far have enjoyed a wonderful two years on the board.
“I felt this was the right time to put myself forward for the vice chair role, to support Greg in taking over from the wonderful work that Graham has done and to support the Chamber in whatever capacity I can. I am very much looking forward to seeing the Chamber grow even more over the coming years.”
Greg Saunders added: “I was delighted when Helen put herself forward for the role of vice chair. I cannot think of anyone more able for the role. I look forward to working closely with Helen and the team to continue the ongoing fantastic work of the Chamber in 2017 and beyond.”
Helen won the Young Director of the Year award at the Institute of Directors’ South West Awards in 2014.
