The founder of a Birmingham software company will become the president of the city's chamber of commerce after being named its new junior vice-president.
Deborah Leary is chief executive of Forensic Pathways, a city centre-based firm which develops products, software and consultancy for the criminal business intelligence market.
She was awarded an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours in 2008 in recognition of her commitment to entrepreneurship.
Her other roles include as an export champion for the Department for International Trade, executive committee member of Greater Birmingham Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce and an advisory board member of the social sciences department at Birmingham City University.
As junior vice-president of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, she will work alongside vice-president Steve Allen, from law firm Mills & Reeves, and president Saqib Bhatti, from Younis Bhatti Chartered Accountants, before taking over the president's role in either 2021 or 2022.
Ms Leary said: "I'm thrilled to be chosen as a junior vice-president for the chamber and greatly look forward to working with Saqib and Steve along with (chief executive) Paul Faulkner and his chamber colleagues."
Four other people have been appointed to the chamber's council - Eddie Fellows, highway network director for Amey, managing director of BanaBay Mark O'Sullivan, McDonald's franchise operator Doug Wright and Judy Groves, marketing director of Rigby Group.
All appointments were announced the chamber's recent annual general meeting.
