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Meet the Team...

Let's introduce the people behind your local chamber...

These People Make It Possible...

President

Michael Howard, QC MP
I have thoroughly enjoyed my 21 years as President of Channel Chamber of Commerce. What a remarkable year the Chamber has enjoyed - furthering its development and diversification to ensure that it continues to gain strength and further establish itself as the undisputed Voice of Business in and for Shepway and the Channel Coast. These are exciting times for the Chamber as it responds with skill, enthusiasm and dedication to dramatic changing environments and the sophisticated patterns of its membership. I am privileged to be part of this process and I know I can count on an excellent team.

Chief Executive

Peter Hobbs
Channel Chamber of Commerce is, for its size, one of the most successful chambers in the country, punching well above its weight, providing members with a wide range of services from business start up, through to training, networking events and information services.

Meet the Board

RAY JOHNSON has been involved in insurance broking for the last twenty years and is sole proprietor of Independent Insurance Services .He is actively involved in the business community and Folkestone Rotary Club. He has personally risen in excess of £40,000 for charity mainly by participation in the London and New York marathons.

JOANNA AMES is the proprietor of Arrivee.  She has over 30 years experience and valuable knowledge of the European holiday market, having established, grown and successfully sold her own Travel business En-Route. In 1999 Joanna was awarded the title " Kent Business Woman of the Year".

PHILLIP HINDLE is the Company Secretary for the Chamber. A Partner in Beresfords Chartered Accountants, he is responsible for overseeing business start ups and development of local and national business, he is also a tax advisor and Franchise specialist. He qualified locally and lives between Folkestone and Ashford. His specialities are in franchising and business support. Phill lists his hobbies as Golf, Rugby coaching, travel and mountain biking.

Dr MANUEL FERNANDES is a popular local GP with extensive knowledge of Occupational Health and founded Premier in 1999 and now runs both General Practice and Premier in tandem. Particularly keen interest in railway-associated medicine and heads up medical team at Eurotunnel. Personal hobbies include golf, classical music and good food & wine, (although all in moderation!)

NICK DOWLING is Director of Development at GSE responsible for 153 acres of commercial and residential land in Kent. An architect by profession. Developer by experience and choice. Specialist interests include interface between architecture and development and the design of buildings to suit operational requirements.


DAVID FOLEY is the Chamber Policy Director and his background is in international business and UK education. He has an international perspective on the training needs of local companies and the criteria required for business success. He believes passionately in the potential and ability of East Kent companies to compete in world markets and travels widely to promote this message. David monitors and reports on the latest research into education, enterprise, regeneration and the fostering of local communities.
JOHN WHELLER is Group Director of Civil Engineering and Construction experts Walkers. He has over 35 years of experience in most aspects of civil engineering, road building, general building, planning and local government. John has varied interests covering land, sea and air – with particular interest in our natural wildlife and the environment we live in.

ROGER HOWES is the Branch Manager for Folkestone HSBC. He has over 33 years with HSBC, having worked in Surrey, Sussex and Kent. A manager for the last 25 years, he particularly enjoys working with local business customers.
Roger’s interests include spending time with his family in Broadstairs, horses, the theatre, dining out and travelling.

 

JILL HARDING is one of our newest board members. Jill is the proprietor of Christchurch Nursery, in Folkestone. They were the winners of Shepway Business of the Year 2006. Christchurch nursery was established 17 years ago, and Jill took over as the Director in 1999. She now employs 28 people who look after 400 local children. She also now works as an NVQ Assessor in Early Years for South Kent College. Jill lives in Hythe and her hobbies include squash and reading

Chamber Manager

Caroline Chambers
I have run my own business, and I know that sometimes it can be a lonely and difficult “job” and that’s where I see that the Chamber can help, not just with advice and support but also by providing members with a chance to meet and seek out solutions with others who may have faced similar challenges in the past.

Conversely, for larger organisations we can provide personal development opportunities for middle and senior managers through networking. Channel Chamber is a useful organisation for making contacts offering a simple route to a host of nationwide benefits, advice and influence.

Channel Chamber is an Accredited Member of the British Chambers of Commerce, (BCC) and a founder member of the Kent Gateway Chamber (a group of all the accredited Chambers in Kent). We are an Investor In People organisation.

This means that our businesses here on the Channel coast are part of the largest business support organisation in Britain and lobbying and representation is an integral part of our work. We gather the views of our members and ensure that business opinions and demands are expressed at every opportunity to all levels of government, responding to formal consultations as well as lobbing locally and nationally.