Exeter Chamber has announced the appointment of Richard Marsh as its first Chief Executive Officer.
Richard is a well-known figure in the city’s business community and has more than 30 years experience in marketing, branding and business development.
Clodagh Murphy, chairperson of Exeter Chamber said: “This appointment is the first in a line of progressive changes for the Chamber. Having Richard in a dedicated role to lead activity supporting businesses in and close to Exeter is another step forward in realising the potential in our thriving business community.”
Richard joins the Chamber at an exciting yet critical time, with many businesses needing continued support to help them through challenging times inflicted by the Covid pandemic and cost-of-living crisis.
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He will work with the board to drive membership and awareness of the organisation, alongside the implementation of the agreed Strategic Plan.
Mr Marsh said: “It is an absolute honour to have been appointed as the first CEO of Exeter Chamber. I am looking forward to working with the new Board and working with current and new members.
I’m extremely passionate about working with young entrepreneurs and young people in business – this will be a strong focus for me going forward. I’m excited to get started and look forward to meeting with members at events soon.”
More about Richard Marsh
Raised in Chagford, educated at Okehampton College and then Exeter College, Richard embarked on his business career at the age of 19, starting his first business with a friend, providing outside catering to The National Trust. He then joined RH Advertising (RH) as a trainee, and it is here that Richard’s career took flight. At just 32, Richard was presented with the opportunity and led a management buyout of the popular advertising agency, which not only became a huge part of his work life but also defined and cemented his position within the business community in Exeter.
Moving on from RH, Richard set up his own consultancy, The Marketing Department, with clients in London and Exeter. It was here that he started working as a consultant to Devon Waste Management, which led to him becoming a director and shareholder through another management buyout.
The rebranding and repositioning of Devon Waste Management to Coastal Recycling was a career highlight. Richard was an integral part of the team that transformed the company from one focused on waste disposal to one focused on recycling and resource recovery. After six very successful years and following various third party acquisition approaches he introduced the concept and was part of the team that sold the business to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). The trust is run for the benefit of all the company’s employees.
Richard continues to run his own marketing and consultancy business alongside other non-executive board positions, including board director of the Exeter Festival of South West Food and Drink, trustee of the Exeter City Community Trust and member of the Incorporation of Weavers, Fullers and Shearman.
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