THE general manager of Castlepoint has taken over the presidency of Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce.

Peter Matthews was inaugurated at the chamber’s 99th president’s dinner and AGM, which was also the chamber’s first as an incorporated company.

More than 150 chamber members attended the event at the Connaught Hotel in Bournemouth.

Mr Matthews, who has been general manager of Castlepoint since it opened in 2005, took over the presidency from Mandy Payne.

He will continue with the initiatives she introduced, including the Beales breakfast, BH Banter and BH on the Go networking opportunities.

He has also set some new priorities, including reinvigorating the chamber website, creating a town centre business forum, and developing better links with businesses and schools across Bournemouth.

Mandy Payne gave her backing to Mr Matthews and to new vice-presidents Gordon Long and Martin Davies.

She said: “I would like to wish the best of luck to the new president. I will be there to support him and the president elect whole heartedly as the immediate past president.”

Peter Matthews said: “I am extremely flattered and proud to have been elected to the post of president and must take this opportunity to thank the outgoing president, Mandy Payne, for leaving the chamber in such a positive place. Mandy will be a hard act to follow, but rest assure, I’m up for it.

“The ethos of the chamber is to be a centre of influence that can create a better business community in the borough. I believe that the chamber does a good job, but we are always open to suggestions as to how to improve our service and opportunities for our members and reach into the community as a whole.

“If our support and service helps businesses to generate employment, support charities, conquer environmental challenges and simply make people happier, then we will be doing a good job, especially in what is still a difficult economic climate.”