Connecting communities across the city and supporting charities will be the key themes of the Bristol Junior Chamber over the next 12 months, its newly elected president has said.
Emma Carter, pictured, outlined her priorities for the coming year after assumed the role at the organisation’s AGM, when a new council of management was also elected. 
Emma, head of income generation for Air Ambulances UK, takes over from Georgia Corp, pictured below with Emma and new vice president Connor Jones.
Georgia, a senior account manager at Bristol content and copywriting agency Stratton Craig, led the organisation through its 75th anniversary year.
Previously vice president, Emma is replaced in that role by Connor Jones, senior workplace education consultant at Mercer Private Wealth.
Bristol Junior Chamber (BJC) was founded in 1948 to promote trade, commerce and industry in the city and provide its members with professional networking and skills development opportunities.
Since then it has been involved in a number of significant projects in Bristol, including founding the world-renowned Bristol International Balloon Fiesta in 1978 and the Bristol Heritage Walk in 1984. 
Today, it has a membership of more than 150 young professionals spanning a wide range of industries, including financial services, law, charity, marketing and communications and engineering – with many of its thousands of alumni now leading figures across the city.
Under Emma’s presidency it will a focus its efforts on building connections between communities and the positive impact it can have on local people and businesses, building on the chamber’s longstanding relationship with charities across the region.
This will be strengthened through a new initiative, the BJC Big Help Out, when members will be encouraged to volunteer their time throughout June, including through work volunteering days, in a concerted effort to help good causes across Bristol and the West of England.
Emma said: “Community is at the heart of everything we do at the BJC and it is a privilege to become its newest president, refreshing its status as a pillar of our organisation which has given me so much over the past five years. 
“Our landmark 75th anniversary was a fantastic reminder to members new and old of the heritage and the strength in depth we have as a community for young professionals, as well as an inspiration on the potential we have to positively impact the city, and I am really excited for the year ahead.”
The full BJC Council of Management for the 2024-25 year, pictured, includes:
- President: Emma Carter, Air Ambulance UK
- Vice president: Connor Jones, Mercer Private Wealth
- Immediate past president: Georgia Corp, Stratton Craig
- Treasurer: Hannah Diffey, Corrigan Accountants
- Honorary secretary: Rachel Horsburgh, Imperial Brands
- Membership secretary: Zara Brewer, Sprague Gibbons
- Chair of events & social: Laura Heard, Ashton Gate Stadium
- Chair of heritage & culture: Lara Wiggin, EY
- Chair of marketing, PR & social media: Aaron Sims, Thrings
- Chairs of business, enterprise & education: Kathryn Binnie, Bristol West, and Rachel Griffith, Foot Anstey
- Chair of charity: Danielle Argent, The Event Booker
- Chair of equality, diversity & inclusion: George Hooton, Hootons Commercial
- Chair of sport: Rose Gentle, Avison Young
