Fresh face steps up to promote our area
PASSIONATE about improving people's perceptions of Grimsby, Freshney Place centre director Amanda Austin has taken the helm of the North East Lincolnshire area council of the Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce.
Having headed up the area's flagship shopping centre for the past three years, and with a strong CV of partnership working, she is relishing the self-set challenge that lies head, uniting business leaders for common goals.
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handing over: Amanda Austin, the new chairman of North East Lincolnshire Area Council of Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce, receives the chain of office from outgoing chairman Richard Rowell, of Forrester Boyd. Picture: Abby Ruston
Mrs Austin said: "I am passionate about driving the area forward, and I thought now was the time I could step up. I have been here in Grimsby for three years, and I have got time to dedicate to it.
"What I am passionate about is to promote the area and the perception of it. I don't think people in the area understand how good it is and what we have got. It isn't just externally where we need to promote the area, it is internally as well."
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Referring to the recent Go To Town this Christmas campaign, which saw thousands turn out for the festive lights switch-on and official start to late night shopping, Mrs Austin said: "What we did at Christmas, working in partnership to put on something special, showed we can do it.
"The great thing about this area is you have a lot of similarly-minded people who just needed bringing together to deliver something. I need to work with partners, such as the Grimsby Telegraph and the local authority, to promote the area.
"We got a start with Christmas last year, and being chairman of the chamber will help me push forward initiatives. Taking on this role feels like a natural progression of what has already started, but with more oomph!"
She feels the scene has also been set for much more collaborative work within the business community.
"A lot of what is coming through from central government and the council is about partnership working, and that certainly helps.
"The door is now open. The public sector wants to engage and work with you.
"Everyone is in the same boat, too. No-one has a pot of money, but we can achieve things if we work together.
"It is not all about money, it is about knowledge and passion.
"If we get some of that from out there we can definitely benefit the area."
Married with two daughters, she lives on the South Bank, and is originally from Doncaster. She has worked in shopping centre management in Scunthorpe and Hull, prior to Grimsby.
Mrs Austin has praised the work done by the Chamber's northern Lincolnshire manager, Anne Tate, in supporting the chairman, "Anne is wonderful," she said.
"The support she gives you is really, really good, so I know I am in safe hands."
See next month's Business Telegraph for a full feature on Mrs Austin.
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