SOMERSET CHAMBER - Key Persons
Albert Goodman are active Chamber members and are regular sponsors and participants in Chamber events. They are main sponsor of the Somerset Business Awards as well as the Family Business of the year category which Mike has judged for several years.
Job Titles:
- PR and Communications Executive
I joined the Chamber in March 2019 after a brief spell with a local marketing agency. Prior to that I was the external communications manager at both Hinkley Point B and Hinkley Point C but my background is in local media. I've worked for more years than I care to remember in local newspapers and for broadcast media - from Shetland in the far north, down to Devon. But I'm Taunton born and bred, so I've spent most of my newspaper career in Somerset.
I help to promote the good work of the Chamber, its members and business partners, together with the work of the Hinkley Supply Chain and Local Skills and Enterprise Partnership teams, issuing press releases, liaising with media and stakeholders and writing articles for the Chamber website, newsletter and magazine. I also put together the Chamber's fortnightly e-newsletter, Pulse, the bi-monthly magazine, Somerset Voice, and am responsible for the Hinkley Supply Chain bi-monthly e-newsletter, too. I am also a member of the national British Chambers of Commerce network communications group.
I was once on Blockbusters - the original version, not the latter-day imposter! I failed miserably (not a surprise) but I do treasure my Blockbusters dictionary signed by the lovely Bob Holness.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director at the College
- Director at Weston College
Dave Crew is a director at Weston College, a Business Partner of Somerset Chamber and one of the largest education providers in the South West.
A regular judge for the Somerset Business Awards, Dave has 15 years of experiences of working in further and higher education, and prior to working in education, his career included working for a global recruitment business managing contracts.
Dave is responsible for business growth and commercial strategy at Weston College, who work with over 1,000 businesses in the region training over 2,000 apprentices each year. The College is at the forefront of education reforms being driven by Government, including the new T Level qualifications, and the focus on employer-led reforms of the skills system to respond to the needs of employers.
As a director at the College, Dave is responsible for employer engagement, business partnerships, marketing, and ensuring the College retains its position as one of the leading education providers in the UK.
Dave is driven by a passion to connect businesses with education, creating opportunities for people. He often delivers best practice training on apprenticeships and in 2021, he was recognised by the South West Apprenticeship Ambassador Service as a "Apprenticeship Champion of the Year".
In addition, Dave is involved in regeneration projects in Weston-super-Mare, and sits on economic development boards in Weston and North Somerset, influencing skills and economic development strategies as the region recovers from the pandemic.
I joined the Chamber at the beginning of December 2021. Previous to this I was CEO for a charity based in Swindon, offering services to victims of domestic abuse. I was also the Director of a spiritual retreat just outside Bath, with conference rooms, accommodation of 42 bedrooms, full catering facilities and a comprehensive programme of courses for all.
I was also in the Further Education Sector as Head of Student Services for Strode College, where we gained Outstanding from Ofsted. At Weston College I was also Head of Student Services, across all three campuses. My other skills are in retail, as Store Manager for Safeway and opening new stores across the region.
I have a strategic and visionary role at the Chamber, ensuring we are positioned and equipped to be at the forefront of business support across Somerset, through the many services we provide. Being the driving force for bringing innovation and economy into Somerset.
I have been working as part of the Somerset Chamber team since late February 2022. They are an excellent team, passionate, dedicated and super friendly. I enjoy meeting new people, I have a very eclectic background having worked in fitness, training, HR, pharmaceuticals, retail, public sectors and entertainment industry (on cruise ships in Australia).
Originally from West London, I moved to Somerset in 2014. I have two very energetic dogs, a cat and a son who makes me proud every day and keeps me on my toes. I love being outdoors, camping, kayaking, gardening and adventuring in our beautiful countryside. I practice mindfulness, meditation and yoga which keeps me grounded.
Job Titles:
- Vice Chairman
- Managing Director of Elite Staffing Solutions
Emma Warren is the Managing Director of Elite Staffing Solutions in Taunton which has been established for five years. Elite Staffing Solutions was launched to bring a fresh approach to recruiting in specialist sectors and is now a team of seven and has secured over 600 people roles. Elite have been active Chamber members for five years and have been heavily involved in the Somerset Business Awards throughout that time both as a sponsor and winner. They won two Somerset Business awards on 2016, a Taunton Deane Business Award in 2016 and Emma scooped Female Entrepreneur of the Year at the South West Business Awards in January 2019.
Business is Emma's passion and she actively develops her knowledge through reading and belonging to a Mastery Consultancy Group for recruitment business owners. Emma uses this knowledge to work with companies, small and large in developing their hiring proposition and overcoming the challenges that the current recruitment market presents. Emma is looking forward to using these experiences in assisting the chamber to help businesses locally to continue to thrive and grow and also give back to a community that has supported her in achieving her goals.
Emma has two young children and has successfully launched and grown a business whilst juggling life as a working mum. As a business and family they support Taunton Deane Cricket Club and she enjoys walking in the Somerset countryside and is an active gym member.
Evelyn qualified as a solicitor in 2002 having completed her training with a firm in Nottingham, where she worked as part of the corporate team for a further five years.
Following a round the world trip, Evelyn worked with a firm in Reading for a number of years before making the move closer to home and joining Porter Dodson as a partner in 2012.
She has extensive experience on the full range of business services, having worked with a broad range of businesses, ranging from local sole traders, partnerships and small owner-managed companies to larger regional, national and international corporates.
Her experience allows her to ease the legal process for my clients, working with clients to understand their business and objectives to deliver high quality focused advice and solutions relevant to their needs.
Evelyn seeks to build a strong personal relationship with her clients and is the direct point of contact for all her client work.
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Owner and Managing Director of Level Up
Graeme is the owner and Managing Director of Level Up (SW) Ltd in Hambridge, near Langport. Since founding the business in December 2006, Graeme has successfully supported business growth and leadership & management development in SMEs and professional organisations across Somerset and the South West.
He was an accredited Growth Coach with the Business Growth Service and its predecessors between 2010 and 2016, and he has delivered numerous presentations, seminars and workshops for Somerset Chamber and various town Chambers over the past 12 years.
I joined the Chamber full time in February 2011 looking after and expanding the Chamber events programme. At the start of 2012 I was offered a permanent role within the Chamber to look after the marketing and communication. I then moved into membership and am now the Chamber's Membership Manager.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Chairman of the Quantock Harriers
Jerome leads C2 - The Helpful Company, a Health and Safety, Fire Protection and HR Consultancy with offices across the UK and a Head Office just outside Bridgwater. The company is proud to have been an active member of Somerset Chamber of Commerce since 2007.
Jerome returned home to Somerset from an international career managing a Pan EMEA Logistics Team of 4,500 people at the turn of the century with his wife and two children. He purchased a sole trader safety consultancy and set about rolling up his sleeves and growing the business on the back of going the extra mile to help business owners.
The company's charitable giving programme consistently supports many local and national charities including the Lighthouse Club, of which Jerome is a committee member.
His first degree is in Economics and Applied Statistics, with higher qualifications in Management, Leadership and Safety.
Away from work Jerome is the Chairman of the Quantock Harriers and has run over 140 marathon and ultra-marathons all over the world.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Co - Owner and Co - Director of Teapot Creative
Lizzie is the co-owner and co-director of Teapot Creative, a design and digital creative agency based in rural Somerset, just outside Langport. The business is in its 10th year, with 20 employees and well established within the business community in Somerset. Teapot Creative have been active members of the Chamber for seven years and regularly sponsors of the Somerset Business Awards, having won Business of the Year in 2016.
Lizzie feels that as we are becoming more and more reliant on creative and digital industries, they need a spokesperson. She is proud to help represent them within the Somerset Chamber.
She also strongly supports the cause of rural businesses. Teapot Creative are based in the heart of the Somerset countryside on the levels. Lizzie feels that rural businesses bring much needed employment and income to areas outside the town centres and raise the profile of these areas at the same time.
Lizzie has three teenage children at three different schools and a more than full-time job which raises its challenges. She feels that these days, work and home life are symbiotic hard-working mums are a vital part of our business community.
When she has time Lizzie can be found walking coastal paths and given half a chance, riding her daughter's horse. With a love of all things creative, lino printing and visiting galleries are also a favourite pastime.
I joined the Chamber in December 2022 and am looking forward to the opportunity to work with the Somerset business community for the benefit of our wonderful county.
I am the CEO of We Hear You (WHY), a charity based in Frome and established in 1994 by local artist and activist Jill Miller, following her experience of breast cancer. WHY's mission is to provide free therapeutic support for children, families and individuals who are affected directly or indirectly by cancer or any life-threatening condition. We Hear You provide free counselling and emotional support across Somerset, Bath and North East Somerset and Wiltshire and have been a member of the Chamber for five years.
I joined WHY in 2022 because I am passionate about supporting people affected by cancer and other life-threatening conditions. I believe strongly in the importance of free access to high-quality professional support, at the right time and in the right place.
As a strategic local authority and health commissioner of mental health and wellbeing services, I have over 10 years' professional experience in the development and delivery of strategic and planning arrangements, which has ensured improved outcomes for people. I am dedicated to improving access to the free, professional counselling WHY provides and to improve the experience for people who need this support by embodying the charity's values of collaboration, innovation and creativity.
Outside of work, I have four children and a cocker spaniel called Dotty, and can often be found whizzing from club to club. I also love to read when time allows, although it's fair to say that isn't very often!
Job Titles:
- Bridgwater Chamber - Affiliate Member Director
Matthew was appointed to the Board as a Town Chamber Representative Director in November 2019, bringing with him more than 16 years of experience working in sales, marketing and customer success. As a previously award winning Customer Success Director, Matthew started his own business in early 2019, helping businesses to use the latest technology to drive their businesses forward, using his experience of working with the likes of Rugby World Cup 2015, RFU, Xerox to name a few. A keen advocate of all things Digital Marketing, Matthew is a keen speaker at events, where he shares great value and insight into how businesses can grow through simple, yet powerful marketing methods.
He joined the Bridgwater Chamber of Commerce as a board member in 2018, where he continues to sit on the board and help grow the chamber and the value it brings to it's members.
Educated in Bridgwater at Bridgwater and Taunton College, where he studied for a HND in Computing and A Level in Law. Matthew is also a big rugby fan, whilst he supports The Scarlets, from where his family come from in West Wales, Matthew has played for Bridgwater & Albion RFC since joining them at the age of 11 through to a handful of 1st team appearances. He's also appeared for Somerton RFC and Morganians RFC in recent years.
Mike Cahill is a Partner in the Business Services Team at Albert Goodman LLP, a forward thinking regional firm of Chartered Accountants, Financial Planners and Business Advisors.
My job role here at the chamber is the Membership Officer. I support Jenn, our Membership Engagement and Policy Manager.
I love meeting Chamber members, finding out about their businesses and being able to support them as a complete business community.
I joined the Chamber in July 2022 having taken time out of my career to complete an Fda in English and Creative Writing, a great love of mine. My working history has been varied starting with a stint in the Royal Air Force as a transport mechanic and after leaving to have my family I moved into youth work working with at-risk young people, in an alternative education environment within the charitable sector.
This led to me training other youth workers and on relocation to the North East my role as a Community Development Manager involved collaborating with communities within a deprived area to gain large scale funding and provide opportunities not previously available.
I joined the Chamber in February 2022 as a Data Analyst for the Hinkley Supply Chain. Before this I was working at Toolstation as a Supply Chain Planner.
I joined the Chamber in September 2021 after working as a Retail Marketing Assistant for three years.
Job Titles:
- Project Manager - Hinkley Supply Chain Lead
Prior to joining the Chamber, I worked in both the public and private sectors within operations and project management and stakeholder management and engagement.
My role involves connecting Somerset businesses with opportunities for growth and development both within the Hinkley Supply Chain and outside of it. Working to promote Somerset and all it has to offer to businesses looking to set up or relocate to the area.
I enjoy getting to know the local businesses and people and what they stand for and what they can offer.
Alongside this, I also get to be part of a fantastic team and work on some amazing projects and promotions and believe me there are some great projects in the pipeline.
With that in mind, I was once engaged to Kate Moss but it didn't work out . . . so I ended up married to Kathryn Jenkins!