AN autocentre is celebrating its 50th anniversary of trading in Halesowen with the appointment of two women directors.

Operating in a traditionally male-dominated industry, Chemix Autocentres prides itself on an equal opportunities policy and is joining the trend of seeing more female directors enter the boardroom.

The family run company, which started out as a tyre remould business in 1964, has appointed Kerry Clay as financial director and Denise Hickman as marketing director.

Both directors have been with the company for many years and are “delighted to” take on their new roles.

Managing director Mike McCarron said: “Chemix, like many other companies, faces challenging market conditions, as well as the need to evolve with modern communications.

“Our belief is that these appointments will help us to better understand and develop to meet these ongoing challenges.”