Haworth woman Elaine Pearson, has been appointed as new deputy director of Keighley Business Forum after a 20-year career in banking.

Elaine, 36, was born and brought up in Keighley, attending Greenhead Grammar School before joining the local branch of the Yorkshire Bank as a clerk.

After two decades she had risen through the ranks to become manager of the main Leeds branch.

On the way she took a leading role in the launch of a new Coventry branch, and was the youngest person ever to be taken on by the Leeds-based inspection division.

Elaine's husband, David, was assistant manager of the bank's head office training centre in Leeds and now runs his own local management consultancy.

Outside of work Elaine is a keen golfer, playing off 10 handicap at Keighley Golf Club and making regular appearances for the club's ladies scratch team.

She is also a member of Heaton Squash Club.

Over the last three years she has self-developed her computer knowledge and skills.

Elaine says: "Joining Keighley Business Forum is both a change and a challenge, and I look forward to helping build on the many successes achieved by the forum, as well as putting something back into my home community."

KBF director Iain Copping says:"Elaine is a valuable addition to the fast-growing team."

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