We are delighted to welcome eight new Board members to join our existing Board. Following their recruitment, an induction to the Chambers, our team and the current Board took place on Monday 16th May 2022 hosted by Paul McCarthy, Vice President of the Board and General Manager of Chantry Place. The eight new Board members are: Lexi Brackpool – Managing Director of Furthermore Marketing Carole Burman – Managing Director of MAD-HR Kelly Cartwright – Owner of Core Recruiter Gez Chetal – Owner of Thomas Paine Hotel Lizzy Dring – Head of Corporate events at Huxley Events Neil Foley – Owner of Business Growth Club Simon Girdlestone – Chief Commercial Officer of Solinatra James Howells – Director of Turning Factor They will be joining the current Board members: Lynsey Sweales – CEO at Social B (President) Paul McCarthy – General Manager of Chantry Place Shopping Centre (Vice President) David Armstrong – CFO at Flagship Housing Group (Treasurer) Michael Baldwin – General Manager of Bank House Hotel (WN Chamber Council President) Jonathan Cage – Managing Director of Create Consulting Engineers Helen Lewis – Director of Research and Innovation Division at University of East Anglia Chris Sargisson – CEO of Norfolk Chambers of Commerce Glen Webster – Area Business Manager at Barclays Bank Lynsey Sweales, President of the Board says, “To support businesses in Norfolk successfully, we not only have to have our finger on the pulse but have the eyes and ears represented on the board. I’m delighted that our latest board recruitment puts the Chambers in an even stronger position to take us to the next stages and innovations of what businesses want and need to see from us. Paul and I were really impressed with not only the calibre of applications but the passion and drive that Gez, Lizzy, Carole, Kelly, Lexi, James, Simon and Neil had towards helping businesses in the region.” Having a diverse board from all sectors and experiences and geographic coverage will bring insights and support to the Norfolk Chambers of Commerce. We are also delighted to bring a much younger age range, as well as diversity and equality to our Board. Lexi Brackpool, Managing Director of Furthermore Marketing “I’m really excited to join the Chamber board and support the Chamber in growing its membership and further digitalisation of its services for greater accessibility.” Carole Burman, Managing Director of MAD HR says: “I am deeply honoured to be invited to join the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce Board. We have a growing number of clients who are based in Norfolk, and I very much hope my role on the board will continue to ensure the voices of these and so many organisations can be reflected and heard on both local and national issues.” Kelly Cartwright, Owner of Core Recruiter says “I’ve noticed that the more successful you are, the more forceful and vocal people are with their opinions. And I’ve realised that the sad truth is that there are plenty of people who want to see you fail. I want to be a part of an inclusive, supportive Norfolk community that encourages and champions everyone. We all have our strengths and weaknesses’ but we should have a network around us, that we can lean on, and use other people’s strengths to help us.” Gez Chetal, Owner of Thomas Paine Hotel says “Highly honoured so that I can help society and others businesses to succeed with my knowledge and expertise.” Lizzy Dring, Head of Corporate Events at Huxley Events says “I feel incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to work with such a thriving and supportive organisation with an amazingly bright future. The journey over the next few years is definitely going to be exciting and I’m looking forward to helping represent the voice of Norfolk businesses to help the Chambers go from strength to strength (especially SME’s, female led businesses and supporting young people in business).” Neil Foley, Business Growth Club “The more we can stimulate the economy the better for all of us” Simon Girdlestone, Chief Commercial Officer of Solinatra UK says: “I am very pleased to be appointed to the Norfolk Chambers Board, having lived in Norfolk my whole life I really wanted to get involved to help local businesses thrive, particularly in the manufacturing sector.” James Howells, Director of Turning Factor “By joining the Chambers Board, I hope this will allow me to make a considerable contribution towards Norfolk’s economy.”
