THE former head of strategy at the Northwest Development Agency has joined St Helens Chamber as its director of business services.

A key element of Tracy Mawson’s new role will be investigating current business trends and the ways in which they impact on members.

She said “I am looking forward to working with real businesses, finding out more about some of the many interesting and unusual businesses that make up the membership of the Chamber and working out ways in which we can support them to be even more successful.”

Having begun her career in the private sector in London, Ms Mawson moved to the North West in 2003 to join The Mersey Partnership.

She added: “My previous experience has helped me to really understand the North West and how important St Helens is in the region.

“It also made me appreciate some of the issues that are common across the region, such as how we keep talent in the North West, rather than losing it.”

And she added: “I am looking forward to working to bring more public sector finance into the area.”