John Bridge took up his post as our chairman in November 2008 in addition to continuing
to take full responsibility for the operation of the Cambridgeshire Chambers of
Commerce where he has been chief executive since January 2004.
Upon his appointment John said “Peterborough is a developing economy and has one
of the most forward-thinking strategic growth agendas in the country. It is a city
that is attractive to investors, businesses and individuals, and ahead of us we
can still expect significant expansions and redevelopments that will see the dawning
of a bigger, better and brighter Peterborough. It is a great privilege to have been
given the chance to take up this position within an organisation that has such a
vital role to play in the city’s regeneration and development.”
In his current roles he also continues to be a director of Cambridgeshire Horizons
Ltd, Greater Cambridge Partnership, East of England Chambers of Commerce and a member
of East of England Business Group and EERA Regional Planning Panel..
Before his current appointments John was for over 20 years managing director of
C W Bridge (Holdings) Ltd, a road haulage & distribution company originally
started by his late father. During this period in the logistics and distribution
industry John was also a director of the Road Haulage Association Ltd and had an
extended three-year term as national chairman.
Prior to that he held various general and human resource management positions with
national and international responsibilities for a number of companies including
City Logistics, Marshall of Cambridge Engineering Ltd, Serck Services, part of the
BTR Group of companies, Ryland Vehicle Group Ltd and Marshall (Cambridge) Ltd.
John is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
(FCIPD), a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (FCILT),
and the Institute of Transport Administration (FInstTA).
He is a freeman of the City of London and a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company
of Carmen and received his OBE in John Major's Resignation Honours List in July
1997 for services to him whilst he was Prime Minister.
John is keen to see Opportunity Peterborough working with other organisations in
the city to deliver not just infrastructure but economic growth and a variety of
benefits for the whole community.
He says: “Team work and partnerships are key to getting things done. Working together
we can achieve so much more than we can working alone.”