32. Jerry Blackett, Birmingham Chamber of Commerce & Industry

With the economic fortunes of the region in a state of flux due to the ongoing credit crunch, the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry is striving hard to ensure the city's business voice is heard loud and clear.

The man at the microphone is BCI chief executive Jerry Blackett, who is playing a leading role in shaping the City's business agenda.

After joining the Chamber five years ago as policy director, he succeeded Sue Battle as chief executive in autumn 2006.

While overseeing the Chamber's policy and lobbying activities, he became heavily involved in the transport issues affecting the region and established the West Midlands Business Transport Group, of which he is also chairman.

The group has been vocal on a number of issues, in particular the redevelopment of New Street Station, possible congestion charging and the expansion of Birmingham International Airport.

Mr Blackett is a member of a number of boards associated with the future of Birmingham, including the Birmingham Strategic Partnership, the Employment and Skills Board, the Creative Birmingham Partnership and the LLP responsible for the delivery of international trade services.

Before joining the Chamber, Mr Blackett had an international career with Barclays Bank, culminating as regional director for Barclays Medium Business Bank in London.

Before that he established and led the bank's national small business network, based in Coventry, and won the Barclays Chairman's Award for improving the service offered to people from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

He was also a former trustee of the University of the First Age, a national charity based in Birmingham that delivers out-of-school learning for young people.

Tall, and apparently stern, he can come across as a sort of public school headmaster type while, behind the scenes at the Chamber, there is a dysfunctional economic guru trying to get out of the genie bottle.
Married to Flora, the couple have three sons and have lived in Dorridge for the past 15 years since relocating from London.

When not working at Birmingham Chamber, its chief executive Jerry Blackett enjoys cycling, playing tennis and following the fortunes of AFC Bournemouth.