Wendy
3/18/2026 3:38:37 PM
4 mins read
THE Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce elected Irene Keal as its new President at its 189th AGM in March.
Irene, a director of kitchen equipment and hygiene product supplier Sylvester Keal based in Grimsby, has Paul Jackson, the Head of Customer and Stakeholder Engagement for Hull Trains, as this year’s Vice President.
Handing over the Presidential Chain to Irene at the AGM, outgoing President Kirk Akdemir, of AaGlobal Language Services, told the audience it had been a great privilege to be the President of the Chamber of Commerce and was a humbling and amazing experience and he thanked the Chamber team and Irene for their continuous support.
The Chamber’s new President, Irene Keal, whose husband Martyn and daughter Victoria were at the AGM to see her become President, said: “I am genuinely excited about the year ahead and am looking forward to helping the Chamber progress and I would like to thank the Chamber team for the great job they do.”
In her speech she told guests that her Chamber journey had started in October 2021 when she became the Chair of the Chamber’s North East Lincolnshire Area Council. She later joined the Chamber board of directors in March 2023 and was now the President.
“The Chamber has lots of events planned in the coming year, and I’m particularly looking forward to the Northern Lincolnshire Business Awards, which are celebrating their 25th Anniversary in my home town this year.
“It will be another great night, celebrating some of the best businesses in our region, and I’m looking forward to working with many more of them during my term as Chamber President.”
Paul Jackson who became the new Vice President was also looking forward to his year ahead. “It’s a real honour to be invited to be the Vice President of the Chamber, and I’m looking forward to working with Irene and Chamber team in the coming months.
“Hull Trains and the Chamber have a long history of working together, and I’m looking forward to strengthening this long-standing relationship.”
