The Commerce and Industry (C&I ) Group has appointed Sapna Bedi FitzGerald as its new chair.

FitzGerald, who is currently company secretary and head of legal at residential property company LSL Property Services, took up the post at the beginning of the month, replacing Martin Rodmell of food company Princes.

FitzGerald has been appointed for a one-year term and has promised to offer greater support to members of the group.

Commenting on the appointment, Fitzgerald said: "For me, the group exists to promote and protect the interests of its members and provide services to its members.

"As I am sure our members will agree, the current services are excellent and we want to do more, so I will find out what members want and to look at how we can achieve this."

She added: "I am excited about the opportunity to serve the in-house community and I am looking forward to the next twelve months."

FitzGerald has been with the C&I Group for more than a decade after joining the organisation's executive and its northeast chapter in 1998. She has also worked as in-house lawyer for the Consumer Credit Trade Association and Norwich Union.

More in-house news, comment and analysis