West Brom director is new president of Black Country Chamber of Commerce

Adrian Wright is the Baggies' sales and marketing director and has taken on the role of president of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce after Kevin Rogers, boss of Wolverhampton firm Paycare, stepped down due to work commitments.

The 11th hour change comes as Mr Rogers had been due to take over from the chamber's high-profile president for the last two years, Ninder Johal, from today.

Mr Wright has more than doubled West Brom's commercial income since his appointment in 2009 and has more recently been at the forefront of developing the club's links with the booming Indian football market.

Previously he was the head of corporate sales at Birmingham City Football Club from 2005 until 2010.

He said: "Obviously I am delighted by this opportunity, albeit my feelings are tinged with sadness. Kevin is a great leader and I was looking forward to working with him to deliver great results.

"The Black Country is a great place for business and I want to make sure that we navigate our way through the global headwinds and establish ourselves as the premier location worldwide for what we do best."

Kevin Rogers. chief executive of health plan insurance company Paycare, has stepped down with "sincere regret" but, he insisted, with the best interest of the chamber at heart.

He said: "The demands placed on me as a result of our growth, to ensure that as an organisation we continue to deliver the very best customer care to our policyholders and the local community, as well as our own team, means that it is with sincere regret that I have had to withdraw from my planned presidency of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce.

"My decision has not been taken lightly and I am disappointed not to be able to represent the wonderful businesses in our region, nor to be able to help drive forward further positive change. I do however want to take this opportunity to wish the ongoing chamber team every success for the future."

Keith Bryan, chief executive of the Black Country Chamber, said: "I know how disappointed Kevin is at having to step down. Nevertheless, we are grateful for all the hard work he put in whilst he was vice president and delighted, not only that his business is booming, but some of it is as a result of his membership of the chamber. The appointment of Adrian provides for a new perspective on chamber affairs and I am looking forward to a challenging and productive future."

Ninder Johal, outgoing president of the chamber, added: "The world of business is always full of peaks and troughs and I am delighted at Kevin's success and that Adrian is ready to pick up the mantle."