About Us

Dan Morgan

Dan Morgan is Managing Partner of Haines Watts, running both the Esher and Bromley offices. Haines Watts are a firm of Accountants and Business Advisors to the owner managed business sector. They have developed a range of services to cover many of the challenges an OMB will encounter. Dan has a particular focus on the property sector and related trades. Dan enjoys providing owners strategic consulting and being a sounding board for the business owner, being a trusted confidant who can challenge and question but also support the owner.

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 One Surrey Growth Board, the Civilian-Military Partnership Board, Surrey Skills Leadership Forum and is involved in both Local Enterprise Partnerships (EM3 and Coast to Capital). She has two daughters, one a musical theatre actress and the other a doctor.

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 Head of Membership at the Chambers and is passionate about helping Surrey businesses  grow and prosper. Sarah looks after Surrey Chambers members in the Guildford, Waverley, Woking & Surrey Heath areas. When she is not networking or hosting an event Sarah enjoys Nordic walking, travelling and skiing.

Finance

Tara Wavre

Tara joined the Chambers in 2017 after a long career in financial roles. She is now the Resources Manager whose main priority is making sure the Chambers office runs smoothly, allowing the whole team to deliver a first class service to all its members. In 2018 she was trained on certifying export documentation to assist the International Trade team on busy days. She has also taken over Surrey Chambers Golf Society and is enjoying learning more about golf, organising and attending the monthly golf days with all of the SCGS members.

Aaron Law

After graduating from the University of Brighton, Aaron joined the Chamber in 2017 as part of the International Trade team, and has since worked up the ranks to take on the role of International Trade Manager in 2022.
Aaron oversees the running of the Chamber’s International Trade services, including the issuance of export documentation, the delivery of training workshops and trade-focused events, and providing guidance and advice to our network of exporting and importing businesses.

Tom Woods

Tom is the Business Connector for the LSIP Project for Surrey and North Hampshire. His role is to work with local businesses and industry bodies to understand their current and future skills needs, and to liaise with local skills providers to support how this gets translated into practical actions. Tom has rejoined Surrey Chambers, previously working in the Membership Team after a brief spell away working in the Professional Services industry, to join the project. He is looking forward to getting to know the organisations involved in the project and help them achieve their aims

Niamh Looby

Niamh is the new Events & Marketing Manager and is looking forward to putting together an exciting events calendar for 2024. She joins us from Premier Sports Network where she worked as Networker and Events Manager in the sports industry, she hopes to continue building lasting relationships within the local area. In her spare time she enjoys hosting music events, travel and socialising with friends.

Giorgia Burgess

With a strong background in Marketing and Events, she is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs and helping others grow their businesses. Outside of work, she volunteers as a mentor for a Year 10 student, guiding them through key steps in their academic and personal development. A passionate solo traveler, she enjoys exploring new cultures and places. She also stays active with Pilates and Muay Thai!

Kate Trice

Kate joined the Chambers in 2024 after spending the last 10 years as a primary school teacher. Prior to teaching, Kate’s career was spent in the knowledge and information sector, helping companies to create effective systems to harness information whilst making it easily accessible to the user.  As Membership Executive at the Chambers, kate’s role is very busy – whether she is out at making new connections, bringing new members on board, or ensuring existing members are well looked after. When she is not working, Kate spends time with her family or keeps fit in one way or another!

Elsa Rizou

Elsa joined the Surrey Chambers team in 2020. She has a degree in languages and translation and worked in the online betting industry for many years. She has experience in Customer Service, Payments and Fraud Prevention. As a member of the International Trade team, she handles export documentation that the Chamber receives and helps customers with queries. When not at work, Elsa enjoys reading, movies and live events as well as spending time with family and friends.

Emily White – Currently on Maternity Leave

Emily joined the Surrey Chambers team in February 2021 on the Kickstart Scheme placement. Emily had her own beauty business working as an Eyelash Technician but that has taken a backseat due to Coronavirus. Since taking on the role of Business Development Coordinator, Emily has been undertaking many tasks and training which will help to further develop her career. Emily joined the Chambers with the aim to further develop her skills and increase her knowledge of the business world which she hopes to carry over to her role at the Chambers.

Dan Morgan

Dan Morgan is Managing Partner of Haines Watts, running both the Esher and Bromley offices. Haines Watts are a firm of Accountants and Business Advisors to the owner managed business sector. They have developed a range of services to cover many of the challenges an OMB will encounter. Dan has a particular focus on the property sector and related trades. Dan enjoys providing owners strategic consulting and being a sounding board for the business owner, being a trusted confidant who can challenge and question but also support the owner.

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 One Surrey Growth Board, the Civilian-Military Partnership Board, Surrey Skills Leadership Forum and is involved in both Local Enterprise Partnerships (EM3 and Coast to Capital). She has two daughters, one a musical theatre actress and the other a doctor.

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.

 

Martine Robins

Martine Robins left corporate life in 2016 and is now the owner of a growing and successful HR consultancy providing all aspects of HR support to local businesses.  Martine is passionate about helping businesses achieve their goals through maximising their productivity through their people and understanding how HR can proactively support this.  Additionally, Martine is an advocate for developing future talent by connecting with employers and schools to provide inspiration and opportunity alongside being a Board member of a local Apprenticeship provider.   Martine is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (FCIPD).

Alison Galvin MBE

Alison Galvin MBE is Chief People Officer at Inv Group – home to Invotra, Invuse, Inverifi & Invdev – where she is responsible for driving the successful multi award-winning apprenticeship program and recruitment strategy across the Group. She is responsible for the daily operations of the business and uses her multi-sector experience to provide much needed skills in management and business. Alison is a co-founder at Inv Group, having helped start Invotra in 2014. She has played an integral role in successfully growing the company since then.

Additionally Alison is a member of the Apprenticeship Ambassador Network, a group of employers whose main aim is to spearhead the drive to engage new employers to commit to apprenticeship delivery in England. She has also served Enterprise M3 (the regional local enterprise partnership (LEP) on their skills advisory panel since 2018.

She joined the Surrey Chambers of Commerce Board in 2023. Alison previously worked for Koch Industries, Sunoco Inc and TUI.

Mike Turner

Mike Turner is Managing Director of employee engagement consultancy YouBecome, based in Weybridge. Mike is a former senior executive with a passion for individual development and business transformation. His specialties include advising on organisational culture, employee engagement and customer relationship management. His business has a team of consultants that operate across the UK.

Harvey Ockrim

Harvey is the managing director of Satelliet UK Ltd, suppliers of quality indoor and outdoor furniture, clients are in many sectors including Hotels, Restaurants and Cafes, Education, Care, Leisure and office. With showrooms and offices in both Surrey and Glasgow, Satelliet UK can service clients across the UK, Ireland and the Channel Islands.

Harvey has served on the board of Scottish Enterprise Renfrewshire and Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce, so is no stranger to the workings of the Chamber, he is also passionate about networking at every possible opportunity so look out for him at our next event!

Steve Page

Steve is founder of Surrey Event Professionals (SEP), a membership networking and business support organisation for primarily, event, wedding, corporate event and venue businesses within and bordering Surrey. As well as the member meetings, we put on a number of events annually, mentor local event students and promote crossovers within our partner businesses.

As well as the SEP networking group, SEP also partner and co manage two other core businesses:

Business In Surrey (BiS): 

Which consists of Surrey Business Expo (largest business expo in Surrey), The BiS BIG Networking Events (a collaborative networking event with 15+ other networking groups) and BiS SME Annual Conference (Surrey’s only conference for independent SME’s).

Surrey Charity Network (SCN): 

Another networking and business support organisation but focusing on and free to attend for all local charities and community groups. Promoting collaboration, knowledge sharing and offering business support. Also running large-scale fundraising events for all member charities to benefit.

Vickram Chetty

 

Vic Chetty is the Senior Stakeholder Engagement Manager at Heathrow Airport, responsible for Heathrow’s engagement with Local Authorities, Local Chambers of Commerce, Business Groups, Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), and other key partners.

A constant focus for Vic is working with all sub regional stakeholders. while leading on Heathrow’s economic development work to enable local economic growth at the airport while supporting the local region.

Vic has been with the airport for 5 years, and his duty is to ensure that Heathrow is taking significant steps towards creating a sustainable economic ecosystem, that not only benefits the airport but also enhances the lives of the people who live and work in the surrounding areas. By embracing sustainability as a core principle, Vic and his team can promote an economy that not only thrives in the short term but also safeguards the long-term wellbeing of Heathrow’s Airports communities and the environment.

Outside of work, he champions the mindset that everyone can have a successful career and family, and that achieving a good work/life balance brings mental and physical benefits to both organisations and individuals.

 

 

Sarah McOnie

 

Sarah is responsible for Communications across the Semmco Group both internally and externally.  Her background is in PR and Communications having founded a specialist PR Consultancy in 1990 that she sold 30 years later.  She provides advice and direction for Communications as well as overseeing the Marketing Strategy for the Group.

Giles Thomas

 

I am the Operations Director for the Manor Collection hotel group based in Surrey. I am responsible for the day to day running of two busy hotels, with responsibility for 100 staff working across the two hotels along with key responsibility for growing Sales and Revenue, Marketing activity, Accounts management and Hotel Operational Management.

Hartsfield Manor, Betchworth, is set in 16 acres of beautiful Surrey countryside and surrounded by lawns and a garden terrace. The Victorian grandeur gracefully absorbs the modern comforts and facilities, including 50 bedrooms, which makes this a popular wedding, conference and dining venue.

Reigate Manor Hotel also with 50 bedrooms offers a prime location in Surrey for any business meeting, conference, wedding reception, civil marriage, birthday party, dinner dance, or simply an opportunity to enjoy our renowned Sunday carvery or afternoon tea in the lounge or restaurant

Anita Saini

 

With over 20 years of sales experience as a successful sales professional, Anita brings a proven practical and interactive consultative approach to her training and mentoring.  She has supported a number of business owners and their employees through their growth journey, leveraging her passion for sales, training, client engagement, recruitment and process improvement to engage new clients, shape market propositions and scale teams. Being skilled in learning & development and public speaking (a Toastmaster in her spare time!), she is comfortable engaging with professionals at all levels and is driven to support others. With high ratings, her clients and delegates always enjoy her enthusiasm and drive to enable others to feel confident and be successful in their role, whether that is in sales or not. Anita strives to get those excited about sales and transform ones mindset around sales – something that we naturally do in everyday life.

Clive Stone

Clive has been the CEO of Oakleaf Enterprise a Guildford-based mental health charity since 1998. He is passionate about helping people to recognise that they always have choice and the impact this can have on their mental health. His deep understanding of the effects of mental health on the individual and those around them has been strengthened by his own lived experience.

Clive is an Accredited Member of the British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy, running his own private counselling and supervision practice.

When not working, he sings in a London-based male choir.

Tony Lynch

Tony Lynch is a Business Growth Consultant. As a mentor and trusted advisor to executives, business owners and senior team leaders, he equips them for success and a better future, by strategically helping them to close the gaps between expectations and results.

Also, Tony has been a Judge at the UK Business Awards in London as well as the International Business Awards in Amsterdam.

Tony is a regular speaker at events in person or online, as well as being a TEDx speaker. He was also featured in Inc for the ‘100 Great Leadership Speakers for Your Next Conference’.

Further information can be found at www.keepthinkingbig.com

or by calling 0203 195 2905.

Richard Essex

Richard Essex is Chair of Surrey Climate Commission anda 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.

Surrey Climate Commission are an independent body playing a key role in supporting and guiding the transition of the county of Surrey towards a carbon neutral future. Their members are drawn from over 50 groups working to protect the climate.

As a community interest company, and part of the PCAN network, They are producing a transformative action plan. The first part of this was launched in 2021 with the publication of a baseline study produced by the University of Surrey. It identifies the primary causes of emissions in the county and the data is helping to inform grass roots organisations and public sector groups, including 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.

Chris Hurren

Chris is the Guildford Office Managing Partner of RSM UK LLP. RSM is a leading provider of audit, tax and consulting services to middle market leaders and from the Guildford office Chris and his team of 150 work with a wide range of clients from fast growth start-up businesses to large corporates, across a broad spectrum of sectors, both in the UK and overseas.

Living and working in Guildford, Chris is passionate about the local business community and along with being a member of Surrey County Council’s Growth forum is helping ensure that RSM are the forefront in helping put Surrey on the map as the best place to do business in the South East.

Outside or work, Chris spends time with his two young girls, and enjoys travel and following Rugby 7’s

Adrian Shanks

Adrian Shanks is the Innovation Business Developer for the University for the Creative Arts. Adrian spent 19 years in the academic, professional and fine art publishing industry in a variety of Non-Executive Director roles before leaving to help launch a residential property start-up business. In his current role he provides the conduit between the interests of the creative industries community and the opportunities afforded by partnerships with the University for the Creative Arts.

Matt Pinches

Matt is one of the two Co-Founders of the award-winning Guildford Shakespeare Company (GSC), an arts and education organisation based in Guildford. Graduating in 1998 with a Dramatic Arts degree, Matt has been an actor for over 20 years, the last thirteen of which has been as an actor-manager for GSC. Starting the theatre company from scratch to the level it operates today, Matt is keenly aware of the challenges that new businesses face, especially those in the charity, education and entertainment sectors. As well as a Director for the charity Matt is both Marketing Manager, (including digital and social media), and Corporate Fundraiser. An accomplished presenter and public speaker, he is passionate about championing the often overlooked disadvantaged areas of Surrey’s communities, to give them a voice in what can be perceived as a privileged society. In 2019, Matt was awarded IoD Director of the Year (with his Co-Founder Sarah Gobran) London/South East, for Inclusivity. He also sits on Guildford’s Public Art Advisory Board.