Boss of family-run retro jukebox firm appointed as Leeds president at West and North Yorkshire Chamber

Mr Black will take over from current president Mike Briffet, of Clarion, while Ms Choudry takes over from Dan Murray, of Leeds Digital Magazine.

James Mason, chief executive of West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Chris is a perfect example of what a chamber president should be. He has set up and grown his own family business over many years, and he employs people within the region.

“Chris and his family bootstrapped this business, and they've created something quite unique that is world class.

“That gives the chamber an opportunity to be locally relevant, nationally relevant, and when Chris is in New York or Australia or China promoting his business, he’s also promoting the chamber of commerce.”

Founded in 1978 as a family business, Sound Leisure employs around 70 people, including Mr Black’s father, brother, wife and eldest son.

The business exports around 70 per cent of all its jukeboxes overseas.

Mr Mason added that he hoped Mr Black’s appointment would demonstrate that the chamber is open to “all shapes and sizes” of businesses.

Speaking on the chamber’s decision to appoint someone from a small business, Mr Black said: “I think it shows the direction the chamber is trying to move in, and that it is trying to embrace all businesses.

“I’m hoping that I can bring maybe a different outlook or a different aspect to the chamber. There's a vibrant community of small businesses out there that are trying to get their voices heard, and I think that's what I can help them with.”

“I’ve been on the board for a couple of years now, and in all honesty I’ve never met such a great group of people that are all pushing in the same direction to try and raise the profile of the region and local businesses.

“I'm a proud Yorkshireman, I was born in Leeds and have lived and worked here all my life, and I just want to try and help wherever I can.”

Ms Choudry has volunteered and worked in the social care sector for over 25 years.

Her roles have included chief executive officer, and non-executive director for a mental health and learning disability service foundation trust.

Leeds-based Love in Care offers services in multiple languages, including Urdu, Punjab and Arabic.

Speaking on Ms Choudry’s appointment, Mr Mason added: “Aquila built her own business from scratch.

“She is the perfect example a trailblazer, both as a female business owner, but also demonstrating the diversity of businesses and people within the business community across the region “

West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual elections over the next two weeks to appoint other members into its leadership team.