About Us

Steve Coburn

Steve Coburn is Managing Director of projectfive, an IT support company based in Camberley. He founded the business in 2002 in the wake of the Enron scandal (projectfive was responsible for recovering the electronic data from the UK that helped with the investigations). Since then, Steve has grown projectfive into an award-winning business. He was voted SME Director of the Year for London and the South East by the Institute of Directors in 2016.

 

Chief Executive

Louise Punter

Louise Punter became Chief Executive of Surrey Chambers of Commerce following 17 years working in manufacturing and business services. After a 5 year career break from Metal Box, she then spent 3 years as the Marketing Director of an international conformity assessment organisation, Bureau Veritas.

To ensure strong representation of Surrey businesses, Louise sits on many different boards and committees such as the 14-19 strategic Board (for young people), the Civilian-Military Partnership Board and is a director of the EnterpriseM3 Local Enterprise Partnership. She has two daughters, one a musical theatre actress and the other training to be a doctor.

Resources Manager

Tara Wavre

Tara joined the Chamber in 2017 after a long career in finance, most recently having spent seven years at AXA. Her main role in the Chambers is financial, but she also heads resources in order to help the Surrey Chambers team deliver a first class service to all their members.

Marketing Executive

Molly Edwards

Molly joined Surrey Chambers in 2016 after finishing a degree in drama and performance. She developed a variety of skills during her time studying and is looking forward to working on the Chamber’s marketing needs.

International Trade Manager

Gary Hayes

Gary joined Surrey Chambers in 2014 after spending 15 years working various roles within the DIY retail sector. As the International Trade Manager, his role within the team is looking after and helping our exporting customers with all of their trade needs.

Aaron Law

After graduating from the University of Brighton, Aaron has joined the Chamber this year as the International Trade Assistant. As part of the International Trade team, he works primarily in certifying export documents for our customers as well as gladly answering any documentation queries they may have.

Membership Manager

Andy Willmott

Andy joined Surrey Chambers in 2008 after a career in publishing, finance and  automotive. Andy looks after businesses in Woking, Elmbridge, Spelthorne, Surrey Heath and Runnymede.

Senior Membership Manager

Sarah Butcher

Sarah joined the Chamber in April 2014 after a 12 year career at the University of Surrey. Sarah is the Project Lead for ExportSurrey, helping to support businesses in Surrey with their exporting requirements. Sarah looks after Surrey Chambers members in the Guildford & Waverley area.

Events & Marketing Co-ordinator

Ivan Spooner

Ivan has joined the Chamber on a placement year, whilst he studies for a degree in BSc Business Management at the University of Surrey. As part of the events team Ivan has taken up a key role in the organisation of Chamber events and upkeep of marketing materials.

Steve Coburn

Steve Coburn is Managing Director of projectfive, an IT support company based in Camberley. He founded the business in 2002 in the wake of the Enron scandal (projectfive was responsible for recovering the electronic data from the UK that helped with the investigations). Since then, Steve has grown projectfive into an award-winning business. He was voted SME Director of the Year for London and the South East by the Institute of Directors in 2016.

 

Immediate Past President

Frankie Tierney

Frankie Tierney is Managing Partner of Herrington & Carmichael LLP solicitors based in Camberley and Wokingham. She heads up the firm’s dispute resolution department which deals with commercial and complex litigation for both businesses and individuals. Frankie has a wealth of experience. Specialisms range from contract disputes, property ownership disputes, and dilapidations, to professional negligence claims, and shareholder disputes.

Thom Gibbons

Thom Gibbons is Founder and Managing Director of Babba, a telecommunications and technology consultancy based in Woking. Thom has extensive experience in helping SME customers with their telecommunications planning, which he uses to save them pain and hassle and help them communicate better.

 

Sam Farrow

Sam Farrow is Creative and Managing Director of design agency Farrow Creative, which has offices in Guildford and Petersfield. She founded the business in 2006 and has 20 years of experience as a graphic designer. Sam has assembled a specialist team which shares her passion for design and dedication to producing top-quality creative work in print and online. As well as outstanding planning and client liaison skills, she brings an infectious enthusiasm and a penetrating eye for detail.

Claire Dee

Claire Dee is Director and Founder of communications consultancy Claire Dee Communications which is based near Guildford. Claire has over 20 years of experience and provides her clients with a broad suite of high-quality bespoke services including digital and social media support, online and offline writing, editing, journalism, media relations/PR, training, consultancy and advisory work. Clients range from global accountancy and law firms, to local SMEs and not-for-profit organisations.

Richard Butcher

Richard Butcher is Managing Director of Stratagems Business Solutions, a business advisory service based in Kingston. Richard has the combined experience of establishing several businesses of his own and coaching others to achieve their goals. He works with corporate companies, SMEs, charities and public sector organisations, and specialises in strategic planning, sales and marketing, international trade, company sales, and raising finance.

Mark Pearson

Mark joined the council at Surrey Chambers in September 2017, and is currently Director of Business Growth at Surrey County Council.

Stuart McOnie

Stuart McOnie is Managing Director of Woking-based engineering company, SEMMCO. He is involved in the day-to-day running of the aviation side of the business, from initial design concepts with customers, to production and repairs and sales. He is also experienced in the preparation of commercial bids for UK and overseas customers, and negotiations with MoD, domestic and international airlines.

Robert Pickles

Robert Pickles is Head of Corporate and Government Affairs at Canon (UK), a global leader in imaging and information technology solutions. Based at the company’s Reigate offices, Robert has worked for Canon for over 25 years. During that time he has held a number of management and senior positions within the sales and marketing sides of the business, and for the last 10 years has worked entirely within Canon’s significant public sector business.

 

Richard Essex

Richard Essex is a Financial Adviser at Grayside, a financial services and insurance brokers based in Epsom. Richard has been an independent financial adviser for over 25 years and has been with Grayside since 1998. He is also a member of the Ethical Investment Association, and the UK Sustainable Finance Association. Richard specialises in providing advice and education for individuals who wish to invest and make a positive contribution to the world we live in.

Peter Quilter

Peter Quilter is Director of Corporate and Commercial Banking at NatWest bank in Guildford. He leads the west Surrey team, and focuses on helping and supporting businesses turning over in excess of £2m or borrowing in excess of £500,000. The team works with all sorts of businesses as well as having expertise in international trade, healthcare, charities, and education.

Louise Turner

Louis Turner is a Leadership Trainer and Executive Coach at Barefoot Trainers based in Guildford. She helps develop managers to inspire and motivate high performing teams. Louise works with a range of companies to create personalised training and executive coaching programmes, giving people tools and techniques focused on gaining individual potential and confidence, in an innovative and engaging way.

John Hubbell

John Hubbell is Chief Executive of Farncombe-based Hubbell Ventures, a business advisory consultancy. John is a professional director and investor and has sat on over 20 company boards as an adviser and director in both a non-executive and executive capacity with experience in Canada, the US and England. His specialisms include corporate governance, risk, capital funding, project directorship, change management, and strategic transformations.

 

Dave Peet

Dave Peet is a Senior Manager at the Woking office of accountancy firm, Menzies. He joined the firm in 1984 and has over 30 years of experience of accounting and compliance work. Dave enjoys meeting with clients and planning their business, including looking at exit strategies. He specialises in helping owner-managed businesses, in particular start-ups, providing consultancy advice, for example, on accounting systems that suit the business.

Dan May

Dan May is Commercial Director at IT support company ramsac, based in Godalming. He joined the ramsac team 14 years ago, originally as Operations Director. Today, Dan heads up the commercial team, and is responsible for marketing, business development, vendor and partner relations, as well as overseeing human resources and technical support. He also looks after the company’s CRM system and enjoys finding more efficient ways of delivering services.

 

Anton Hutter

Anton Hutter is a Partner and Patent Attorney at Venner Shipley, a firm of European patent and trade mark attorneys and lawyers. He is based at the firm’s Guildford office and works in the chemical and life sciences team. Anton specialises in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, chemical and medical device patent matters. He has gained considerable experience in handling all aspects of patent practice, especially meeting inventors directly, and drafting and prosecuting patent applications.

Abi Bradbeer

Abi Bradbeer is School Manager at the Surrey Business School, University of Surrey, based in Guildford. She develops external relationships with key audiences including the business community, policy makers, peer institutions and other bodies. A key part of her role is to help shape the services that the Surrey Business School offers businesses and the public and third sectors, and to support its strategic development.