Wellington, May 10 NZPA - Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce chief executive Charles Finny is joining government lobbyist firm Saunders Unsworth as a consultant on July 1.

Last week the chamber board voted to proceed with a merger with Employers and Manufacturers Association Central.

The chamber today thanked Mr Finny and wished him well in his new role.

He will continue in many of his governance responsibilities including the Regional Transport Committee, the Boards of New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and the New Zealand Film Commission, and the Victoria University Council.