ANDREW Hemphill, general manager of Clydeport’s Greenock Ocean Terminal, took over as president of Greenock Chamber of Commerce at its AGM barbecue, at Kip Marina, Inverkip on Friday.

Andrew, who will lead the Inverclyde business organisation during its bicentenary year in 2013, will hold office until June 2014. He was appointed a chamber board director in 2010 and then senior vice president in June 2011. He takes over from Greenock Chamber’s first female president, Elaine Stewart, who has served for three years.

Being appointed senior vice president at the AGM is Steven Watson, managing director of Stepwell Consultancy Ltd, an innovative social enterprise that operates the burgeoning Cookschool at Stepwell and Fresh, a food outlet and catering business based in the Oak Mall Shopping Centre. David Morgan, relationship director, real estate finance, at the Royal Bank of Scotland, takes on the role of junior vice president, while continuing as treasurer.

Andrew Hemphill with chamber directors.

Andrew said: “While the role of president is a significant responsibility and certainly not one that I take lightly, the enthusiastic, hard working team here at Greenock Chamber will be a tremendous support, especially as we look forward to celebrating our 200 years. Together, we will continue our endeavours to help highlight that Inverclyde is a great place to live, work and play.

“As with Elaine, every new president brings their own aspirations for their time in office, while continuing to serve our members. My own will be to further develop and enhance the work that has been done previously, as well as getting members new and old to become more involved. Those that do come on board recognise the many benefits that Chamber brings, not solely by attending our events but also through the wide variety of cost saving initiatives we can now offer our members.”

Andrew joined Clydeport in 1986, starting his career at King George V Dock. He worked in Glasgow before taking over at Clydeport’s Greenock Ocean Terminal in 2002, where he is responsible for all aspects of running the busy site. He has worked hard to increase the container and forest product volumes handled through the terminal, and also grown the number and variety of popular cruise ships calling into Greenock – to a record 40 this year.

In recent years, Andrew has focused on promoting and enhancing the cruise facilities, which has now put Clydeport and Greenock on the global map as a popular cruise destination. The increasing number of cruise ships now calling into Greenock and increased passenger throughput are bringing major benefits to the wider community and promoting tourism within Inverclyde.

Elaine, who takes on the role of Immediate Past President for the next two years, said: “It has been such a great honour to serve as President of Greenock Chamber, an area that is my home and one that I’m immensely proud of. To be making local history in the process as the first female to hold this office was the icing on the cake.

She thanked Andrew, Steven and immediate past president Donald McRae for their support.

More about Greenock Chamber of Commerce’s new board director line up:

Elaine Stewart – Immediate Past President

Elaine, a director of Greenock Chamber since 1999, runs Inverclyde-based consultancy, Elaine Stewart Public Relations Ltd (ESPR). With PR experience spanning three decades, Elaine has represented companies across a wide range of market sectors, operating in local, national and international markets. Elaine worked in Glasgow for 12 years, firstly with a national consultancy, latterly as account director, before joining a communications agency to establish its PR division as managing director. She has also freelanced for Scottish daily and local weekly newspapers. Moving the business to Inverclyde, Elaine launched ESPR in 1993, based at Victoria House, Greenock, since 2000.

Steven Watson – Senior Vice President and Treasurer

Steven Watson is managing director of Stepwell an innovative social enterprise company established in 2008 committed to improving the health, wellbeing and employment opportunities of people living in Inverclyde. Steven oversees the commercial activities of the company, including the Cookschool @ Stepwell, Fresh and Progress, as well as ensuring the charitable activities are maximised for local people. Steven is passionate about promoting Inverclyde as an attractive leisure and tourism destination, as well as the development of an entrepreneurial culture which is responsive to the many social challenges within the local area

David Morgan – Junior Vice President and Treasurer

David joined the Royal Bank of Scotland in 1985 and has served in a number of branches throughout the West of Scotland. He moved to Greenock in 1991 and carried out a variety of roles during this time. He served as a Business Manager from 1996-2001 and Manager of Commercial Banking from 2001-2006. In 2006 he joined the Paisley Commercial Team as Relationship Director, Commercial Banking, supporting businesses in the £1m-plus turnover category. He is now Relationship Director, Real Estate Finance. David, a member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers in Scotland, is also chairman of Chamber’s finance sub-committee.