THE Calne Chamber of Commerce has appointed partner of Bevirs law firm Nicholas Sewell as its new president.

Solicitor, Mr Sewell, 50, of Marlborough, has spent 15 years as a member of the chamber and began his two-year tender as president on March 16.

It is the second time in the last 20 years that a member of Bevirs has been appointed president as partner Edward Spearie took on the role back in the mid-1990s.

Mr Sewell said: “I did not put myself forward for it but was asked to do it. I have been a member of the Chamber of Commerce for a long time and had not contributed too much.

“I was honoured and humbled to be asked and I am going to give guidance to our businesses and help them through what is still a difficult trading situation.

“People are finding it quite hard out there and we should give them as much help and support as we can."

The father of two, who has been married to wife Helen Sewell for 22 years, is also a member of Calne Referral Link and takes on the job from former president Peter Vujakovic.

He was made partner in 2002 and is currently head of private client services including wills, probate, trusts and issues around elderly people.

Mr Sewell added: “The Calne Chamber has a strong committee and with their assistance we aim to support the business community in the town to give all our members the best chance of continued success and growth.

“They said we have the annual general meeting coming up and do you want to be the next president.

“I have had a good run as a back bencher as it were without doing a great deal so it was about time that I stepped up and did something.

“It is not the type of organisation where you can just do nothing for too long.”