Sheffield Chamber appoints second female president in 160-year history

Jillian Thomas is to become president of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and Industry on December 11.

Jillian, who is managing director of Future Life Wealth Management, will be only the second woman to take up the post in the Chamber’s 160 year history. She will officially take over from David Thurkettle at the Chamber’s annual general meeting.

Jillian said: “I am delighted to be taking over this role. It comes at an exciting time, with all this talk of the Northern Powerhouse and the focus on building the economy in the north.

“But I am very conscious of the fact that Sheffield could become overshadowed by Leeds and Manchester. So we need to make sure we have our very own Sheffield Powerhouse.

“We need to see successful businesses and professionals stay in the city and help its growth and the Chamber can be at the heart of that.”

Future Life, based at Renishaw, was set up by Jillian in 2010 and one year later, the company was the winner of The Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Chamber Awards in the Most Promising New Business category and was named Outstanding Business of the Year at the Great South Yorkshire Business Awards 2013.

In 2013, 2014 and 2015 Future Life was listed in the New Model Adviser Top 100, which recognises financial planners for their qualifications, income and commitment.

Jillian, who is a regular guest on BBC Radio Sheffield, has also appeared on BBC 5Live, BBC Breakfast, Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour and Newsnight.

Future Life Wealth Management offers a bespoke financial planning service to generators of wealth, typically business owners, executives and professionals, and also to receivers of wealth, such as inheritors, divorcees, widows and retirees.

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