Moray Chamber of Commerce has embarked on a drive to increase its membership and raise its profile and influence in the area.

The group has secured funding over three years from HIE Moray towards the cost of appointing a Marketing and Events Manager.

Lesley Ann Parker, director of  marketing and graphic design consultancy, Leap (Scotland) Ltd, recently took up the temporary, full-time post and has already held her first event.

Her remit is to bring in a number of new members over the next three years and stage various events. The chamber itself is contributing some of its own funds towards the cost of the membership drive.

Lesley said: "I am delighted to have been offered this very prestigious position and I will endeavor to increase membership and deliver exciting and innovative events for member companies."

HIE Moray's Head of Growing Business, David Reid, said it was important that the chamber had a strong membership base. He added that the group had a crucial part to play in achieving the goals of Moray 2020 - an economic strategy produced by the local enterprise company to counteract the scaling back of the local RAF stations.

Moray Chamber of Commerce is run by a board of directors made up of local business owners or managers.

A central part of its role is to hold networking events aimed at bringing members together and opening up new business opportunities.

But the group believes that one of its most important functions is to represent businesses in Moray and enable them to influence the economic direction taken in the area as well as to have input into public sector economic initiatives and strategies. It also wants to serve as a mouthpiece for other associations keen to have their voice heard.

The chamber's core membership comprises some of the UK's biggest brands such as Baxter's Food Group, Walkers Shortbread, Gordon and MacPhail, Johnston's of Elgin, Diageo and the Edrington Group.

It now wants to widen its appeal to include much smaller businesses. An increased membership would not only make the group more representative but also greatly strengthen its influence.

Originally from Lanarkshire, Lesley formerly worked in the printing industry and was the first woman president of Glasgow Young Master Printers Association. She has lived and worked in Moray since 1990. Leap (Scotland) Ltd was established in 2004.  She is also vice chairman of Moray Leisure Centre Ltd.

She said: "The chamber is all about pulling businesses together across sectors and scale and I feel that there is no greater opportunity to do this than in Moray, thus enabling the smallest of businesses to learn and interact with their peers."

Lesley has already organised her first event on behalf of the chamber - a whisky tasting evening held in Aberlour Distillery last week and hosted by singer/songwriter Robin Laing.

Ron Taylor, chamber president, said: "Lesley's first event was voted a resounding success by all the guests and it provided a wonderful opportunity to welcome her on board."

Lesley said that regular monthly meetings were planned for 2008 including the Annual Corporate Dinner to be held in September when the Moray Chamber will present its Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Moray economy.

Moray Chamber of Commerce can be contacted on 01340 881226.