Solihull is a thriving hub in the UK, ranked among the top 10 locations for business. Home to Birmingham Airport, the NEC and the new HS2 Interchange station, the borough has a strong economy, ambitious net-zero goals and exciting developments - making it an ideal place to live, work and invest.
As the leading organisation for business support, the Solihull Chamber promises to connect, support and grow organisations across all sectors. Our diverse membership network offers valuable opportunities to promote and market your business.
Joining our Chamber brings benefits to your business, including access to events, discounts on Chamber services, business support and media exposure. Connect with your community, learn from experts and create valuable relationships with us.
Solihull Charity of the Year
Solihull Hospital Charity
Solihull Hospital Charity is the official NHS charity of Solihull Hospital and funds added extras that are over and above NHS provision at Solihull Hospital. The charity is part of University Hospitals Birmingham Charity, supporting needs across Solihull, QE, Heartlands and Good Hope Hospitals.
Being in hospital can be really hard physically and emotionally. This is why we as a charity want to do all we can to make our patients, and their families feel as supported as possible during their treatment. From lollipops to wall art and from therapy dogs to staff-wellbeing, the charity raises vital funds to support needs at Solihull Hospital that make a real impact on patients, families, and staff. We are incredibly grateful for all support received!
Solihull patrons
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Meet the Solihull Committee
EMMA-LOUISE HEWITT - SOLIHULL PRESIDENT
I am the Vice President of the Solihull Chamber of Commerce and a Partner and the Head of the Employment Law Department at Sydney Mitchell LLP. I deal with all aspects of the minefield that is employment law for both employers and employees providing guidance and support.
With my role in the Chamber, I support my Vice President’s and the President of the Chamber in their roles as well as the Chamber itself and its and its members. I am an active networker within the Borough of Solihull, not only on a business level, but also on a personal basis being part of a wider community of people and supporting local businesses, which really excites me. Relationships are really important to me and I thrive on that. If I can help I will.
I have been part of the Chamber for 13 years. For the last 3 years I have sat on the Solihull Chamber Executive Committee, helping to drive change, promote engagement, encouraging work inspiration amongst businesses for the next generation, as well as supporting both the Chamber and its members and I will keep on doing this!
KIM HULSE - VICE PRESIDENT
Passionate about supporting local businesses, Kim is a co-founder of Visit Knowle, a company formed to bring together businesses to collaboratively work on projects for the benefit of the village. Kim focuses on developing and delivering the marketing strategy, working with local stakeholders to deliver “support local” campaigns, to raise the profile of Knowle and its businesses and as such is an advocate for supporting local businesses. Kim also delivers business support and works with the events team on projects such as Coronation Celebrations and Late Night Shopping.
With over twenty-five years of marketing experience Kim has spent the last 10 years as a marketing consultant to independent retailers and small businesses focusing on defining the customer offer and developing trading & marketing strategies. Working with small businesses on growth plans, Kim offers ideas, strategy and action plans for businesses.
Kim is an active member of the Chamber and is serving her second year on the committee. Kim leads the “Keep Business Moving” working group and frequently attends networking events. She is also a regular attendee of Solihull Tourism Forum and sits on the Visit Solihull Tourism Steering Group.
KEVIN JOHNS - VICE PRESIDENT
Kevin Johns is a director and shareholder of Prime Accountants Group, one of the largest independent firms of Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers in the West Midlands.
Kevin takes an active interest in the development and growth of the business community within Solihull, and has been an active member of the executive committee for 12 years including 2 years as President and 4 as Vice President. Kevin is Chairman of Solihull BID and was awarded a British Empire Medal in 2019 for his services to Solihull.
For over 30 years, Kevin has worked with a wide variety of businesses, from owner managed to multi million pound turnover businesses. His diverse portfolio of clients has enabled him to develop an understanding of the various needs within the business community, which allows him to bring forward the views of many business leaders to ensure they are heard.
As a mature business owner, Kevin is dedicated to ensuring the local business community goes from strength to strength after the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, the effects HS2 are having on our region and the currently cost of living crisis.
Away from the office Kevin is treasure at Silhillian Rugby Football club and supports his children follow their passion for ski racing.
REBECCA GATER - VICE-PRESIDENT
Rebecca joined Solihull College & University Centre in 2016 as Assistant Principal, becoming Vice Principal for Curriculum and Quality in 2019 and appointed as Principal and Chief Executive in 2022. Rebecca started working in the further education sector as an hourly paid lecturer in Business and Management and has over 20 years’ experience, with expertise in curriculum and quality.
She joined Ofsted as a part time inspector in 2015. Rebecca is a passionate ambassador for further education and was awarded a Doctorate in Education for her research on FE senior leadership. Rebecca was elected on to Solihull Chamber of Commerce’s Executive Committee in May 2023. Solihull College is a patron of the chamber as well as a headline sponsor of the Annual Awards.
AMANDA HOLDEN
My name is Amanda Holden. I am a partner and Head of Residential Conveyancing at The Wilkes Partnership Solicitors. I have always worked in residential property throughout my career and I really enjoy the variety of the clients and the properties that I deal with. My aim is to make the trials and tribulations of buying and selling residential property as painless as possible for my clients as the process can sometimes be very stressful! We have 3 offices across 3 different sites – Birmingham city centre, Hodge Hill and Shirley. I work out of the Shirley office but my clients are based all over the country.
As a firm we have been involved with the Chamber of Commerce for many years and I have been a member of the Solihull Executive Committee for 3 years. I love being part of a team of different professionals who work across different sectors and have learnt a lot about the work of the Chamber regionally as well as locally. I regularly support the Chamber’s networking events and encourage my colleagues to do the same.
EILEEN SCHOFIELD
Eileen was admitted to the roll of Solicitors in England and Wales in 2000, she now runs her own award winning Law Firm, a niche commercial and employment law firm which she set up in 2009. Alongside the national employment law practice Eileen has set up a HR Division, Schofield HR providing outsourced HR advise to SME’s
Eileen was the first solicitor in the UK to set up a transatlantic video link for a client to give evidence from the US.
Eileen was appointed to the role of President of Birmingham Law Society in 2014/2015, during her tenure as President Eileen represented the Society nationally and internationally and raised the profile of the Society with City of Birmingham leaders, parliamentary decision makers and business leaders, both nationally and internationally.
Eileen was elected as the first female Chair of the Board in its 200 year history, she led the Society in marking its 200 year celebrations and obtained a coveted blue plaque on the Society’s premises.
Eileen sits on the International Committee and Employment Law Committee of the Birmingham law Society. Eileen was a founding member of the Legal Tech committee
Eileen is the President of the Solihull Chamber of Commerce which is the largest regional division of the Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce which supports business from a range of sectors, she is the former Vice President of the Transatlantic Chamber of Commerce, a division which facilitates business between the US and the UK. Solihull Chamber
Eileen is a founding member and Chair of The West Midlands Irish Business Group in association with the Irish Government. The Group collaborates with and supports businesses in and around the West Midlands region to facilitate networking and business opportunities.
Eileen is a Board Director for The Law Society of England and Wales and sits on the People & Remuneration Committee for the Law Society.
IAN ROGERS
Ian Rogers is the founder of Solihull Summer Fest. Solihull’s very own music festival.
Solihull Summer Fest’s success won “Best Independent Business” at Solihull BID Excellence Awards 2022.
Ian is a continuous ambassador of Solihull. A passionate advocate, he exerts time, energy and enthusiasm into profiling the borough. He's a key stakeholder for The Solihull Tourism Steering Committee.
Projects aside of Solihull Summer Fest include:
The Forbidden Circus. Solihull’s first ever Immersive Horror Attraction. The event attracted 8199 visitors to the Borough.
Pairc Festival. Celebrating Irish music, heritage and culture. The event was a huge success in it’s launch year and is on course to become The UK’s Biggest Irish Music Festival.
Shirley Social. A community event in Shirley Park. The event draws the local community to green spaces, and raises awareness of local independent businesses.
During his first term on the Solihull Chamber Executive Committee, Ian and Jas Rohel created the Solihull Secret Supper Club. A multi venue dining experience, visiting restaurants with tantalising cuisine from around the world. The concept assists the hospitality industry whilst raising money for the Solihull Chamber chosen charity.
JAS ROHEL
CEO of Education Awards
Director of Partnerships and Radio presenter.
Jas Rohel is the Founder and CEO of the Education Awards, an annual event recognising the unsung heroes in education by celebrating both the people and establishments making incredible contributions to the sector.
Jas works with numerous event sponsors to develop and implement projects in education that directly contribute back into the outstanding work of teachers and educational organisations.
Jas also runs a local Solihull Radio station called “On Your Radio- Solihull”. She is radio presenter for “The Education Show” and “Talking Business” and “The Hospitality Show” on the radio. On air, she discusses a vast amount of business, hospitality and education topics where she interviews key leaders from across the industry.
LOUISE DUNN
Louise Dunn is a seasoned Recruitment professional, having worked for nearly 20 years servicing candidates and clients in the Solihull, Birmingham and Warwickshire area within the business support sector. She has built up an extensive network of candidates and clients during this time, and is synonymous with delivering results and providing a quality professional service. She has a natural ability to engage, and listens enthusiastically to peoples needs, in order to make the right match.
Historically, she has successfully managed temporary desks managing up to 80 temporary workers, with her seamless and robust account management skills to ensure smooth delivery of day to day activities. Since co-founding The Recruitment Duo in October 2021 she has imparted valuable market knowledge, and guided 25 businesses to successfully recruit and retain talent for 91 permanent positions in a post pandemic market. She has honed a wealth of knowledge regarding businesses in the Solihull and surrounding area, and her expertise is regularly called upon by businesses particularly in the IT/Telecomms, Education, Property/Housing, Engineering, Fleet and Professional Services industry sectors. She predominately recruits for Administration, Customer Service, Sales/Marketing, HR, Finance/Payroll and management positions.
MARK WILSON
PAULINE CLARKE
I am the Senior Corporate & Communities Fundraiser for St Basils, the largest Youth Homeless Charity in the West Midlands with over 44 accommodation projects in the region and a dedicated youth hub in Solihull and Birmingham.
The charity have been members of the Chamber for over ten years and Pauline an executive committee member since 2021. A creative Business Development Manager, Pauline has extensive experience within the Leisure and Hospitality Industry, having worked in corporate sales for Merlin Group including Bear Grylls Adventure at the NEC and knows how vital it is to drive and develop connections within the region.
Previously to this, as the owner of a successful company, Pauline can empathise with the challenges faced by business owners in the current climate. Her role allows her to develop strong and purposeful relationships with a variety of employment and educational sectors, delivering workshops in schools, colleges and universities in the area. This not only provides a good barometer of the overall health in the community, but also gives ‘real time’ feedback to the committee on how their outcomes are delivering.
A Midlands girl, passionate about wanting to make a serious contribution to the development and growth of the community where we live and work and make a real difference’.
BECCI FOX
ROBERT WELLS
STEVE WHITMARSH
Steve lives in Baddesley Clinton, is married, and has two daughters at Solihull School and Southampton University. Steve has been an active member of, and still supports, Knowle and Dorridge Round Table, enjoys motor sport and spends his spare time sailing at Olton Mere and offshore, in between taking his daughters to various hockey, netball and sailing fixtures.
After attending Arden School, Steve undertook an apprenticeship with Land Rover, where he later became their youngest ever production manager at the age of 22.
Steve then had a successful career in fleet sales and fleet management for Rover Group, Volvo Car UK and RAC before securing venture funding from local investor Forward Group to found Multifleet Vehicle Management Ltd in 2011. Multifleet trades as runyourfleet and is based in Henley In Arden.
After 12 years, runyourfleet now manages over 31,000 vehicles for 1,200 businesses across the UK, is set to turnover £21m in the current financial year and employs a team of 35. The business has seen exponential growth in the last 4 years, and keenly supports both the Solihull and wider Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, as well as local charities and community projects.
SUSIE ANKRETT
After more than 21-years as Director and founder of Plum Personnel, a staffing and employment company based in Solihull town centre, in 2022 Susie Ankrett founded Plum Executive a specialist recruitment consultancy.
Susie now provides strategic recruitment advice and guidance to organisations that want to be the best at attracting and retaining talent using her expertise and knowledge.
Previously she was a Lecturer and Manager at the Solihull College and University Centre for nearly 2-decades where her passion and belief in lifelong learning was ignited.
She is a member of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and a member of the Board of their Advisory Council.
More recently she has taken on the role of Chair of Solihull MBC’s Forum for Supported Internships working with key stakeholders across the Borough with the goal of creating routes that will support more young SEND individuals into paid employment.
Amongst her greatest achievements Susie is particularly proud of leading Plum Personnel to become the first recruitment company in the UK to achieve ‘Diversity Assured’ status. She is also very honoured to appear in Hansard after suggesting a Bill to her local MP which would extend the rights of parents for flexible working. This was presented and read in Parliament.
Susie truly believes that learning and jobs transform lives – and this inspires her to try to make a difference in the work she does.
A member of the Solihull Chamber since 2001, she is currently one of the Vice-President.
TONY ELVIN
Previous Solihull Chamber President and General Manager at the award winning Touchwood Shopping Centre in Solihull, Tony has a rich and varied hospitality and leisure background working in and operating health clubs, bars, restaurants, family entertainment centres and hotels. He also runs his own events business, The Wine Events Company, hosting tastings, pop ups, collaborations and dinners across the region.
Tony is an active ambassador for the region. Whilst sitting on the Solihull Chamber Exec Team, he is also Deputy Chair for Solihull BID, Deputy Chair for the Solihull Tourism Steering Group, Head Judge for the Midlands Food, Drink and Hospitality Awards, The Birmingham Awards and sits on various boards within the region
NEIL BAYLISS