Law firm partner announced as new president of Solihull Chamber
A partner and employment law expert at law firm Sydney Mitchell has been appointed as the new president of Solihull Chamber of Commerce.
The Chamber announced a new president, vice-president and new committee members at their annual meeting at Cranmore Park on Thursday.
The new president is Emma-Louise Hewitt (pictured), partner and head of Employment at Sydney Mitchell LLP.
Kim Hulse, founder of K Hulse Consulting will join current vice-presidents Kevin Johns and Rebecca Gater as a new vice-president.
The new executive council members are as follows:
- Jas Rohel- founder of Education Awards
- Steve Whitmarsh- CEO of runyourfleet
- Pauline Clarke- senior business and community fundraiser at St Basils Charity
- Susie Ankrett- founder of Plum Executive
- Amanda Holden- partner at the Wilkes Partnership
- Ian Rogers- managing director at The Original Entertainment Company
- Tony Elvin- general manager at Touchwood Solihull
- Louise Dunn- director and co-founder at The Recruitment Duo
- Mark Wilson – managing partner and founder Headpoint Advisors
Outgoing president Eileen Schofield, principal of Schofield and Associates solicitors, will remain on the executive council as a co-opted executive committee member for a further year alongside the following:
- Rebecca Fox- charity consultant at Colebridge Trust (co-opted member serving a one-year term)
- Neil Bayliss- owner of Hubtel IT (co-opted member serving a one-year term)
- Rob Wells- director of People & Strategy at Sport 4 Life UK (co-opted member serving a one-year term)
Pictured (L-R): The Solihull Chamber executive council committee- Pauline Clarke, Eileen Schofield, Becci Fox, Rob Wells, Jas Rohel, Amanda Holden, Samantha Frampton, Rebecca Gater, Emma-Louise Hewitt, Mark Wilson, Kim Hulse, Steve Whitmarsh, Susie Ankrett, Neil Bayliss and Louise Dunn. Photo credit: Libby Rees, Studio Forty Six
A member of the Solihull Chamber for 15 years, Emma-Louise Hewitt is ranked as a next-generation partner in the Legal 500 directory.
She provides legal services to employees and employers across sectors including automotive, professional services, and hospitality. She advises on the vast range of employment law in a range of areas including contracts, handbooks and policies, tribunal claims, workplace discrimination, and reorganisation and redundancy procedures.
She also delivers workplace training and day-to-day legal and HR advice to business owners, managers and HR advisors.
Emma-Louise said: "I am extremely honoured to be taking on the role of President of the Solihull Chamber of Commerce for the next two years.
"I am especially looking forward to working alongside Samantha Frampton, head of Solihull Chamber, as we continue to strive to create an environment that fosters growth, innovation and collaboration among our members."
Samantha Frampton, head of Solihull Chamber of Commerce, said: “The Solihull Chamber annual meeting was an opportunity to look back over the last 12 months and share what we have achieved with our members, from hosting 653 attendees across 17 events, to entertaining over 300 guests at the Solihull Chamber Annual Dinner and Awards 2024.
“It was also an opportunity for me to express my thanks to Eileen Schofield who has completed her two-year term as Solihull Chamber president for her passion, time and commitment and to welcome our new president Emma-Louise Hewitt.”
The new charity of the year for 2025-2026 was also announced at the meeting. Solihull Hospital Charity will take the baton from Solihull Moors Foundation.
Jonathan Burch, fundraising officer- UHB Charity, of which Solihull Hospital Charity is part, said: “On behalf of everyone at Solihull Hospital Charity, I’m so incredibly thankful to everyone involved with the Solihull Chamber of Commerce for choosing us to be their charity of the year for 2025/2026.
“Being Solihull Chamber’s charity of the year will make an amazing difference to our fundraising and awareness levels and help raise funds for the amazing projects we have at Solihull Hospital. I am very excited to be working with Solihull Chamber throughout the coming year and can’t wait to get started!”
