SOLICITOR Chris Macer has taken over as president of Trowbridge Chamber of Commerce following the organisation's annual meeting last week.

Mr Macer, who qualified as a solicitor with Withy King in 1984 and became a partner in 1989, specialises in property work, particularly residential development.

He was president of Bath Chamber of Commerce in 1994 and was talking at that time about a possible alliance with the then fledging Wessex Association of Chambers of Commerce.

Mr Macer said: "I recall the meeting with Mike (Williams) and Tino (Polledri) well, because I realised the vast potential in Wiltshire. I regretted the decision of Bath members not to go ahead, as I saw a natural allegiance.

"When I arrived five years ago to work in Withy King's new Trowbridge office I was very keen that I did my bit for the local community, therefore one of the first things I did was to contact Mike again.

"Things have progressed tremendously and a good thing for me is that the association has member chambers in Chippenham and Marlborough and works closely with Swindon, all places where we have offices. So it was an easy decision for me to join Trowbridge chamber and a privilege to be elected president.

Mr Macer is married to Melanie and has in the past three years lived in Box and Bradford on Avon. He has a 15-year-old stepson, Sam, and a daughter Clemmie, two.

He is studying to become a Notary Public. In his spare time he plays golf.