Perspectives from the outgoing and incoming presidents of the Bristol Junior Chamber

As the Bristol Junior Chamber marks a change in leadership, we spoke to outgoing President Connor Jones and newly appointed President Jyles Allen. Together, they reflected on a year of leadership and impact, and share their hopes and ambitions for the Chamber’s future.

Where do I start?! It has been an incredible year of learning for myself – from managing a team, to leading an organisation, and everything in between. What has been invaluable is finding myself in situations where I need to make speedy decisions. It’s these moments that really challenge your decision-making and leadership capabilities, and for those opportunities I am immensely grateful, even if at the time they can feel a little stressful!

I am particularly proud of the voice that myself and the Council of Management in particular have tried to give the BJC – not only internally, but more so externally with key stakeholders and interested parties across the city of Bristol. This exposure led to increased opportunities for us as an organisation, an abundance of new members, and a profile which we can be very proud of within our communities.

I’d have to say the opportunity to lead what is one of the most prestigious ‘networking’ organisations within our city. The Bristol Junior Chamber is an institution, and one which has been graced by many significant figures in our city over the years. To follow in their footsteps makes me incredibly proud.

It has also been the opportunity to provide our members with a space to feel welcomed, where they feel as though they can express themselves, and to build an environment that is accommodating to all.

I think this is central to the identity of the BJC, and is vital for us to continue to thrive as an organisation moving forwards. It would also be remiss of me not to mention that I got to go in a hot air balloon at the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta – something that the BJC started over 40 years ago – so that was a remarkable experience, and felt fittingly full circle! 

Two to be precise – enjoy it. It is a wonderful opportunity, and you get all of 12 months to do so. Blink and you’ll miss it so soak it all in, embrace every moment, and deliver a super year of events, activities, and initiatives for our members as I know you will!

I want to bring our theme “Bristol Through Time” to life in a way that is both meaningful and impactful. That means honouring the Chamber’s legacy while making sure we’re creating real value for members today and setting them up for the future.

Practically, I want to strengthen leadership development within the Chamber, deepen our connection to the city, and create opportunities for members to grow both professionally and personally. If, by the end of the year, members feel more connected, more confident, and more equipped to make an impact in Bristol, then I’ll consider that a success.

What excites me most is the opportunity to serve. This role is a chance to bring people together, create opportunities, and help others step into leadership themselves.

There’s something special about seeing people join the Chamber, build confidence, develop skills, and form meaningful connections — especially knowing you’ve played a small part in that journey. I’m also excited to work with such a talented Council and build on the strong foundations left by previous leaders.

I’d say the Bristol Junior Chamber is one of the best investments you can make in your people. It provides a platform for young professionals to develop leadership skills, expand their networks, and gain experiences they might not get in their day-to-day roles.

It not only benefits the individual, but it comes back into the business through increased confidence, broader thinking, and stronger collaboration. If you want to retain and develop ambitious talent, giving them access to something like BJC is a powerful step.

One of my favourite spots has to be Purdown. It’s a bit of a hidden gem in the north-east of the city, but if you make the trip up there, you’re rewarded with an incredible panoramic view across Bristol. It’s the kind of place that gives you perspective — you can see the whole city laid out in front of you, which feels quite fitting given this year’s theme of looking at Bristol through time.

For more on the Bristol Junior Chamber, visit their website.