Business Women in Surrey
Our BWIS Committee
Sarah Butcher – Chair of BWiS – Head of Membership at Surrey Chambers of Commerce
Sarah joined Surrey Chambers of Commerce in April 2014 after a 12-year career at the University of Surrey. Starting out as the Export Surrey project Lead, she spent the first two years supporting Surrey businesses with their export endeavours and building connections internationally within the global Chamber network. As Head of Membership, she is passionate about helping local businesses grow and prosper whether they are a sole trader or a corporate company. Actively involved in many Chamber initiatives including Business Women in Surrey (BWiS) Sarah is a keen supporter of promoting women in the areas of STEM and STEAM and an advocate for equality, diversity, and inclusion not only in the workplace but in society as a whole.
Alex Harper – Co-Chair – Herrington Carmichael
Alex is a Senior Solicitor in the Employment Law team at Herrington Carmichael with experience of acting in contentious and non-contentious matters for clients from a wide range of sectors including financial services, construction, leisure and hospitality, healthcare, charities and others. Alex’s specialist focus is on Employment Law issues relating to discrimination and equal pay. Alex advises on a wide-range of employment law issues, specialising in particular on complex Employment Tribunal litigation with a focus on employment status, whistleblowing and discrimination. Alex also works with clients on all aspects of employment law including redundancies, HR policies, settlement negotiations and agreements, corporate transactions and ER investigations. Alex joined Herrington Carmichael in 2021 following qualifying as an employment solicitor in 2019 and moving to Surrey in 2020. Alex previously worked as a commercial paralegal, trainee solicitor and newly qualified solicitor in London in international and national firms. Alex studied French and German at Kings College London prior to completing a Graduate Diploma in Law and the Legal Practice course at the University of Law.
Betty Jensen – University of Surrey
Betty is a Business Engagement Officer with Surrey Business School. With a background in international hospitality management as well as education administration, she has a passion for promoting education and life choices for students and adults. Originally from the French Alps Betty has been settled in the Guildford area for a number of years and combines her role at the University with studying for her MBA as well as being a mum! She joined the BWiS committee in 2023 and has a particular focus on driving forward initiatives to promote opportunities for women in Higher Education and for workplace and lifelong learning.
Miriam Hanley – Audit Director – Menzies LLP
Miriam is an Audit Director at Menzies LLP, where she oversees a portfolio of SME clients across a variety of sectors, with a particular focus on recruitment businesses. With deep industry knowledge and a passion for client success, Miriam provides tailored audit solutions that drive results. A dedicated advocate for empowering women in business, she takes great pride in mentoring young women early in their careers, guiding them as they work towards their professional goals. Outside of her career, Miriam’s greatest joy comes from her two daughters, who inspire and make her proud every day.
