The new president of Bradford Chamber of Commerce, John Pennington, has vowed to bring a modern face to the 150-year-old institution.

Speaking at the Chamber's annual meeting yesterday, club owner Mr Pennington said he planned to carry on the "modernising" theme introduced by outgoing president, Judith Donovan CBE.

More than 70 members from some of Bradford's biggest firms saw Ms Donovan, owner of DIY Direct Marketing, hand over after two years in charge.

Mr Pennington said: "It is an important point in Bradford's development, in view of all the problems we have had recently, and it's vitally important that the businesses of this city have a voice.

"It's also important to show that the Chamber is a modern chamber."

Ms Donovan, who sold off her business JDA Associates earlier this year, had expressed similar sentiments when she declared her intention to take the Chamber into the 21st century in 1999.

As the group's first ever female president, she added that she had also relished the chance to "wind up some of Bradford's more reactionary clubs."

Enlarging on Mr Pennington's idea of meeting the challenges of the third millennium, she cited the district's flourishing e-commerce industry as a prime example.

She said: "We have to work out how to incorporate the technology, which is wonderful, without getting too carried away with it and losing sight of the good, traditional ways of doing business which still work.

"It's still better to talk to someone rather than send them an e-mail, and face-to-face meetings are always the best way to strike a deal.

"I know that the Chamber shall go from strength to strength under our new president, and I shall enjoy watching from the sidelines.

"Facing the economy we have I don't think it's going to be an easy ride for any one of us over the next few years, but Bradford businesses are very resilient and I'm confident we will pull through."

Despite waving the modernist flag, Mr Pennington took time to give a respectful nod to his, and Bradford's, past.

He said: "We are a textile family, and if my grandfather or great grandfather could see me here with this badge of office he'd be shocked and, I hope, proud."