JULIET Price, managing director of Colchester-based outsourced Human Resources and Heath & Safety company Park City Consulting, has been elected chairman of the Essex division of the Institute of Directors.

JULIET Price, managing director of Colchester-based outsourced Human Resources and Heath & Safety company Park City Consulting, has been elected chairman of the Essex division of the Institute of Directors.

She succeeds Paul Rolison, of IT specialist Yellowspring, in the role and will hold the post for three years.

Ms Price, 38, who set up Park City in 1997, is also a non-executive board director of the Ixion Group of Companies, where she assists with advocating the HR side of the business as well as serving as a member of the group audit and remuneration committee.

She said her agenda for her three-year term included engaging with members to understand their personal and business needs, and ensuring that Essex IoD met those needs through a stimulating programme of high quality events.

“I'm obviously delighted to have been elected to the role of chairman and I'm confident that the branch will have a productive and enjoyable three years,” she said. “I'm keen to see the branch welcome new members as well as making sure as many existing members as possible exploit all the benefits of IoD membership.

“In addition, due to its extensive membership and geographical spread, the Essex IoD should be the main business influencer in both local Government and non-governmental organisations.”

Ms Price, who is the first woman to hold the role of chairman at Essex IoD, added:“As founder and director of my own business, I'm fully aware that directors' time is at a premium, and so my commitment is to ensure that the Essex IoD adds value to our members and their businesses. After all, they have invested their time and money in the IoD, so they should reasonably expect a return.”

The Essex IoD division covers not only the administrative county of Essex but also the Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock unitary authorities and some postal districts in East London which were formerly part of the county.

Of its 2,000 members, more than 40% are chairmen, chief executives or managing directors of their companies, and a further 45% are directors or partners.

Essex IoD's annual members' meeting takes place at Stock Brook Country Club on Friday, May 16, 2008 at 9.30am, following a Directors Club breakfast event at 7.45am, which all directors and senior executives are welcome to attend.