The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce has named Bruce Williams as its new chief executive.
Williams, a former broadcaster and the interim chief executive officer of the South Island Prosperity Partnership, will step into the role in June when Catherine Holt leaves.
“Bruce has proven himself as a highly capable leader in Greater Victoria. We’re delighted he’s agreed to take the helm at the chamber as we work to restart our economy after a very challenging time,” said board chair John Wilson.
“Bruce is well known and trusted as someone who cares deeply about our community. He’s also had tremendous success connecting with people in business and government, which will be vital in his new role.”
Williams is co-owner of the Spark Strategic Group and has served as a business executive with Bell Media and as a broadcast producer, on-air host and television anchor with the CTV television network.
“Greater Victoria has always been a strong, healthy, sustainable and inclusive community and I’m proud to be assuming this role to engage us all with our new economy,” he said.
Holt, who announced her resignation in January, stepped into the chamber position in the spring of 2016 with a goal of growing and diversifying the organization’s membership and ensuring it was responding to the needs of its constituents.
While she managed to tackle many of her goals in the last four years, Holt told the Times Colonist in January that she remained somewhat frustrated that the chamber was unable to pull together the region to improve transportation planning.
Holt believes the organization has put together a team that can rise to the occasion.
“With Bruce’s exceptional skills as a communicator, I can’t think of a better organization to help Greater Victoria get through this challenge,” she said.
“We have the foundation for one of the most robust economies in Canada, and I look forward to the day when all businesses can thrive once again.”
