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NEWSTony taking a step backOne of the longest-serving volunteers on the Telfordbusiness networking circuit is stepping back from thefront line after nearly 30 years.Business leaders have praised Tony Jemmett, whose links withthe town’s business support scene began in the mid 1980s whenhe became a driving force at Telford Development Agency,helping to promote and nurture inward investment.Most recently, he has been serving on the board of directorsat Telford Business Partnership, where he is one of its foundermembers.“Having reached the grand old age of 60, the time has comefor me to give up some of my outside interests,” said Tony, whowill continue to run his firm of chartered surveyors, JemmettManley & Associates. He will also remain a TBP member.“I have announced that I will be stepping down from the TBPboard at the end of the current board year.“This brings to an end my full involvement with Telford, whichhas been truly fulfilling – from chairing Telford DevelopmentAgency breakfast events and opening up the membership, tochairing the larger TDA board which dealt with European moneyprocured for various projects.“I have also gained immense satisfaction from helping to setup the business leaders’ forum, providing a platform for largercompanies and major employers in Telford to have a voice.“And finally, I ensured that as I left the front line, the voice ofthe future would be heard by the creation of another networkinggroup for the town’s young professionals.”Robin Melley, who currently chairs Telford Business Partnership,said: “Tony has made an incredible contribution to both TBPand the wider business community in Telford over the past threedecades, and we would like to say a huge thank-you for thecommitment and the wisdom he has given over so many years.”As managing director ofJemmett Manley & AssociatesLtd, based at Burlington nearShifnal, Tony has been involvedin the property business for over40 years. He is a past chairmanof the West Midlands branchof the Royal Institution ofChartered Surveyors and hasbeen involved in some of thebiggest developments in theWest Midlands, and Telfordand Wrekin conurbations.Telford Business Partnership chairman Robin Melley (left)thanks Tony Jemmett for his commitment to the town.18