About Us

Yvette Etcell

On top of being the current President of Surrey Chambers, Yvette Etcell is the Director of the Gavin Jones Group with responsibility for organisational development of the privately owned landscape construction, grounds maintenance and nursery business. She has significant experience of driving business success by engaging and developing staff potential throughout the organisation. Moreover, Yvette is one of only approximately 30+ Investor in People Champions nationwide.

 

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.

Membership Manager / ExportSurrey Project Lead

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.

Membership Manager

Anita Avery

Anita joined the Chamber after 8 years in third sector, Alzheimer’s Society then our local Hospice. Prior to this her career was predominately sales in commercial and residential property working in a marketing, design agency then the B2B property magazine Estate Gazette. Anita looks after businesses in Epsom and Ewell, Reigate and Banstead, Tandridge and Mole Valley.

Events & Member Services Co-ordinator

Robyn Jackman

Robyn joined the Chamber in 2016. As events and member services co-ordinator Robyn has a key job in organising the Chambers events throughout the year. Events are a vital part of Surrey Chambers and Robyn works hard to ensure all of our events are entertaining, well run and enjoyable for those attending.

Events & Marketing Coordinator

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.

Yvette Etcell

On top of being the current President of Surrey Chambers, Yvette Etcell is the Director of the Gavin Jones Group with responsibility for organisational development of the privately owned landscape construction, grounds maintenance and nursery business. She has significant experience of driving business success by engaging and developing staff potential throughout the organisation. Moreover, Yvette is one of only approximately 30+ Investor in People Champions nationwide.

 

Steve Coburn

Managing Director, projectfive:

Steve was previously a Sports Centre Manager, a Weatherman, a Marketing Manager and an IT Manager.  He’s worked for companies such as Giorgio Armani, Ralph Lauren, The Met Office, and Andersens.

He’s also the founder and inspiration behind projectfive, which he set up 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 the award-winning business, and wonderful place to work, that we all love.  And, in recognition, 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

I am the Managing Partner of Herrington & Carmichael LLP, solicitors based in Camberley and Wokingham. I am also a Board member of Surrey Chamber of Commerce. In addition to my role of Managing Partner I head our Dispute Resolution Department which deals with all sorts of disputes both business to business and for individuals.

Being on the Board has provided an interesting insight to the issues that affect commercial activity in the County as well as giving me the opportunity to develop new contacts. The difficult economic situation has also heightened the relevance of the Chamber’s representation work influencing and encouraging our politicians to understand the importance of supporting businesses.

Outside of work I play a lot of sport, particularly hockey and have been slowly improving my golf handicap.

Thom Gibbons

Director, Babba:

Babba was created because we believe that we can raise the standards when it comes to providing great telecommunications planning advice.

Built on personal service, focused on customer first principles I want Babba to be different, I want us to be great friends to our customers, save them pain and hassle and help them communicate better.

Sam Farrow

Creative and Managing Director, Farrow Creative:

Sam founded Farrow Creative in 2006. Her 20 years’ experience as a graphic designer include working as head of design at Meridian Television and Surrey County Council, where she headed up a major re-branding project that produced £2 million in savings across the authority. She has a Masters in Graphic Communication from Kingston University, where she was also a member of the teaching faculty; she’s currently a regular speaker on the MBA programme at the University of Surrey.

Sam has assembled a specialist team who share 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, a penetrating eye for detail and relentless determination to every project she works on. Not to mention her wicked sense of humour

Claire Dee

Director and Founder, Claire Dee Communications.

Claire is a trained journalist with over 20 years of experience in the communications profession including time spent working in London for leading multinationals PricewaterhouseCoopers, PricewaterhouseCoopers Legal, and Andersen.

Based near Guildford in Surrey, Claire provides clients with a broad suite of high quality bespoke communications services including digital and social media support and online and offline writing, editing, journalism, media relations/PR, training, consultancy and advisory work. Clients range from

global accountancy and legal firms, to local SMEs and not-for-profit organisations.

Claire also sits on a number of boards and committees including the Surrey Branch of the Institute of Directors, the Surrey Chambers of Commerce Board, and is co-chair of the Business Women in Surrey group.

 

Stuart McOnie

Managing Director, SEMMCO:

Involved in the day to day running of the Aviation (GSE) side of the business from initial design concepts with customers, production/repairs and sales. Preparation of commercial bids for UK and overseas customers, negotiations with MOD domestic and International airlines.

Robert Pickles

Head of Corporate & Government Affairs, Canon (UK):

Canon (UK) Ltd is the UK & Ireland marketing and sales operation for Canon Inc., employing around 2,000 people. Founded in 1937 with the specific goal of making the best quality camera available to customers, Canon’s tireless passion for the Power of Image has since extended its technology into many other markets and has established it as a world leader in both consumer and business imaging solutions.

A career at Canon is all about passion. It’s this passion, together with a sense of pride, which drives our people to action and results.

I have worked for Canon for over 25 years. During that time, I have held a number of management and senior positions within the Sales and Marketing elements of Canon’s business, and for the last 10 years have worked entirely within Canon’s significant Public Sector business.

My current role makes good use of the extensive knowledge, contacts and experience I have gained from across the public sector. I look for ways of developing all of Canon’s businesses by maximising Canon’s profile, building stronger relationships between Canon and the Public Sector, and ensuring that those who devise and influence policy are aware of the strength of the One Canon brand.

I represent Canon UK & Ireland in all its dealings with Parliament, in Westminster as well as the devolved parliaments in Cardiff, Edinburgh, Belfast and the Irish parliament in Dublin.

Richard Essex

Financial Adviser, Grayside Ltd:

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. In this respect he is now a published author of his book ‘Invest Feelgood Make a Difference‘.

One of his main beliefs is that you can invest ethically or environmentally and make a healthy return at the same time. He is keen, therefore to show clients how they can consider including this aspect in their overall financial planning.

On a personal level, Richard is a family man, whose other great passion is playing in a live rock/blues band.

Peter Quilter

Director Corporate and Commercial Banking, NatWest Guildford:

With a UK focus, NatWest bank includes a wide array of market-leading customer and financial brands. NatWest provides a full portfolio of products and services that were developed with a focus on businesses helping them achieve their goals and save time and money. NatWest is committed to supporting entrepreneurial communities across the U.K.

I lead the West Surrey Team for Corporate and Commercial Banking focusing on helping and supporting businesses turning over in excess of £2m or borrowing in excess of £500,000. The team work with all sorts of businesses as well as having expertise in international trade, healthcare and charities and education.

I have been a Relationship Manager so understand how to help businesses reach their goals and succeed. Leading the high performing team in Surrey gives me credentials both as a banker and business person. I have experience of leadership, change management, recruitment and retention of staff and premises. The team is active in the business community and I have organised and run events for local businesses.

Ollie Rastall

Director, Source Supplies:

Since 2005, Source Supplies has sourced and distributed commercial cleaning products to commercial businesses.

Committed to developing hearty relationships with customers both big and small across the south of England, the business has grown significantly year-on-year, winning several awards along the way.

Source Hygiene services launched in 2014 with the objective of becoming a leading Washroom Services provider in the south

Lucy Boazman

BID Manager, Collectively Camberley:

Collectively Camberley are the management company behind the towns Business Improvement District (BID). My role as BID Manager is to deliver all aspects of the company’s business plan including, events, promotions, campaigns, digital marketing, Town Centre development, training workshops, networking events and more. I work with around 350 businesses in Camberley Town Centre; ranging from SMEs to large national brands, both B2B and B2C industries.

I manage an annual budget of approx £400k to implement new and existing events/promotions for the town. I have responsibility for managing the company finances as well as developing key relationships with my directors as well as outside key stakeholders.

Within this role, I am also a certified Digital Business Skills trainer; allowing me to run workshops with businesses of all sectors to train them in effective digital marketing.

My role is extremely diverse and fast paced, forcing me to adapt to new situations and develop a proactive approach.

Louise Turner

Leadership Trainer & Executive Coach, Barefoot Trainers:

We develop managers to inspire and motivate high performing teams. Working with a range of companies to create exciting personalised training and executive coaching programmes, giving people the tools and techniques that are focused on gaining individual potential and confidence, in an innovative, fun and engaging way.

John Hubbell

CEO, Hubbell Ventures:

John Hubbell of Hubbell Ventures is a professional director and investor. In the past and in the present John has sat on over 20 companies boards as an advisor and director in both a non-executive and executive capacity with experience in Canada, the US and in England, advising on corporate governance, risk, capital funding, project directorship, change management and strategic transformations. Today John has a specific interest in the health industry specifically directed at illness prevention health promotion and health knowledge through Wellbridge Financial and Health Assess UK. John also sits as a board member of Active Surrey.

 

 

Dave Peet

Senior Manager, Menzies:

Dave Peet joined Menzies in 1984 and has over 30 years’ experience of accounting and compliance work. He 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.

Dave is involved in Start-Up Woking, an initiative with Woking Borough Council to help local businesses in their first three years of trading. This is proving very interesting and is resulting in new clients for the firm. In the first three years, over 250 businesses have benefitted from the scheme

Dan May

Commercial Director, ramsac:

Dan joined the ramsac team 14 years ago, originally as the Operations Director where he was responsible for establishing a lot of the business processes and quality management systems that in turn led to their awarding of standards such as ISO 9001 and Investors in People. His background was marketing, previously working in the Commercial Department of a national retailer. 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. Dan also looks after the CRM system that drives the whole business and enjoys finding more efficient ways of delivering our services. Dan lives in Hove, East Sussex with his partner and two young children.

Ben Geeson

Head of Business Development, Guildford College Group:

Responsible for the commercial activity at Guildford College Group encompassing 3 Colleges including apprenticeships (inc reforms), full-cost provision and all tendering activities.

Anton Hutter

Partner, Patent Attorney, Venner Shipley:

Anton is a UK and European patent attorney, and manages our Guildford office. He is a Partner in our Chemical & Life Sciences team, and is recognized by Legal 500 (2015) as being “highly recommended” and “knowledgeable”. Anton is also a member of our business development committee.

Anton specialises in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, chemical and medical device patent matters. In particular, he has a deep understanding of molecular biology, genomics & proteomics, biochemistry, peptidomimetics, human genetics, immunology & antibody technology, plant biotechnology, diagnostics & therapeutics, vaccines, stem cells, small molecules, formulations, chemical engineering, materials science, pharmaceuticals, and SPC’s.

Anton has gained considerable experience in handling all aspects of patent practice, especially meeting inventors directly, and drafting and prosecuting patent applications before the UKIPO, the EPO and national patent offices. Anton has drafted hundred’s of patent applications in the biotech and chemical sectors, and is experienced in managing international patent filing strategies for his clients.

Anton has significant experience of advising clients in relation to patent infringement and validity, freedom-to-operate clearances of third party patents, and providing due diligence opinions. Anton also enjoys complex opposition and appeal work, and regularly attends oral proceedings at the EPO.

Anton works for a broad spectrum of clients, and has extensive experience of working with academic institutions and associated technology transfer departments, university-derived spin-out companies, SME’s, as well as large multinational biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. He is very proactive, and provides his clients with clear, commercially relevant advice. Anton regularly lectures on a variety of IP-related topics, including patenting bioscience inventions.

Abi Bradbeer

Business Manager, Surrey Business School – University of Surrey: I develop our external relationships with key audiences including the business community, policy makers, peer institutions and other bodies. In doing this I work closely with Faculty and centrally managed functions including Marketing, Alumni & Development and Research and Enterprise Support.
A key part of my role is to help to shape the services that we offer to business and the public and third sectors and to support the School’s strategic development. I work with the rest of the School’s senior team and Faculty colleagues on operational and infrastructure matters.