The Herts Chamber team
Meet our Board of Directors and the Chamber team
Board of Directors
+ Jeremy Bishop – Chairman
Jeremy is a serial entrepreneur and has been building businesses since he was at school. These businesses have been in many different sectors from the service industry through to manufacturing.
Jeremy is also an active angel investor in a large variety of small and growing businesses both in the UK and Europe where his mentoring skills are highly valued. Jeremy is Chairman of the Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of the IBAG (Independent Business Advisory Group) part of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire.
Jeremy is the founder and CEO of Mirage Health Group Ltd, a specialist medical device manufacturer and distributor throughout the world.
+ Donna Schultz – Managing Director and Board Member: April 2023
Donna has been an integral member of the Hertfordshire Chamber since 2019, and has been instrumental in cultivating and nurturing relationships with new and existing members across the county. Her extensive knowledge and expertise have positioned her as a vital asset in understanding the intricacies of the Chamber team and its membership. In her current role as Managing Director, Donna uses her skills to optimise the Chamber's influence on the Hertfordshire economy, contributing significantly to its growth and success.
Donna in recognition has recently been appointed a board member in April 2023 working alongside other board members to drive the Chamber forward.
+ Perry Jackson – Vice Chairman and Board Member: 2018
Perry started his career working for Mitsubishi Electric in 1997, ultimately having full P&L and business development responsibility for Mitsubishi Electric’s UK Automotive Division. He has had many Managerial roles since then, including General Manager of Samsung Climate Solutions from August 2017 until June 2019. Tasked with restructuring and developing the business to leverage the innovative Samsung HVAC technology and develop a direct sales channel to complement the existing Distribution and Value Added Reseller channels.
His most current post is as MD of Oventrop UK Ltd. A company active in the management of water within buildings including heating systems, plantrooms, managing system pressure and flow, hygiene control of domestic hot water/drinking water.
+ Keely Rushmore – Board Member: January 2018
Keely is a partner at Keystone Law, specialising in HR and employment law matters.
Recognised for her expertise and ability to provide practical, cost-effective clear and solution-based advice, Keely builds strong relationships with her clients, with the aim of her and her team being seen as an extension of their organisation. Her views and comments are regularly included in various well-known publications, including The Times, The Independent and City AM, and she was also invited to participate in the BBC’s prestigious 50:50 project, which aims to have an equal representation of men and women in the media.
Keely has lived and worked in Hertfordshire for over 15 years, and is passionate about supporting local businesses and their employees, with many of her clients based in the local area.
+ Colin Spiller – Board Member: February 2020
Colin worked for 6 years as the Business Development Manager for an early stage Tech focused VC, and generated an extra £1.5m into investee companies and helped to form their Advisory Board. Launched and manages the London Angel Club for Angels Den, which has raised over £8m for entrepreneurs since launch 9 years ago and delivers their Masterclasses for investors. He also Co-Leads the London meetings of the 3Cs Community on a pro bono basis, which encourages entrepreneurs based on a pay it forward principal.
Is a Freeman of the Information Technology Livery Company and a Founder Freeman of the Guild of Entrepreneurs. Prior to setting up his own company 25 years ago, Colin’s corporate career included setting up a 150 people organisation in 6 months and managing a $30m budget, rapidly generating a $5m pa revenue stream in financial services.
+ Carol Massay – Board Member: November 2020
Carol has over 30 years’ experience working within construction, and the last 18 years within construction technology. In her earlier years, she worked for a top 10 house builder, she then continued on her journey working with an established Irish based civil engineering and building contractor, where she remained for over 14 years increasing her knowledge of construction and operational processes.
For the last five years Carol has headed up the four-times award-winning construction software company EasyBuild. During this time, she has increased the company’s business growth and market presence, with a great team of staff delivering great customer service and technology to the construction sector.
+ Jacqueline Button – Board Member: June 2021
Jacqueline Button is a partner at SA Law LLP in St Albans where she specialises in commercial real estate law, particularly property development. She has lived and worked in St Albans for 11 years and is also a trustee of homeless charity, Open Door.
+ Damian Ward – Board Member: September 2022
Professor Damian Ward has a background in economics and 20 years’ experience of working in higher education at a number of institutions.
He is currently the Dean of the Hertfordshire Business School, leading 300 colleagues and 3500 students. He also retains active engagement with scholarship, including research, authorship of a leading textbook and teaching at international business schools. Damian has experience of developing and successfully implementing strategy within business schools. He is also a member of the Board of Governors for the London Institute for Banking and Finance.
+ Robert Hill – Board Member: September 2022
Robert is the Director of Innovation & Commercialisation at Rothamsted and leads these activities at the Institute, working closely with science colleagues to deliver impact.
Prior to joining Rothamsted Rob was a business and social enterprise investor and mentor with 20 years of investment experience across a broad range of businesses. Rob qualified as an accountant with Arthur Andersen in 1998 and subsequently joined the banking and debt advisory business of NM Rothschild in London. In 2001 he joined the UK investment team of CVC Capital Partners, one of the world’s largest and most successful private investment firms. After leaving CVC, Rob led the start-up of a private debt investment business to support the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises in the UK. Rob comes from Staffordshire where his family and ancestors have farmed for several generations. Rob has a BEng in Aerospace Engineering from Bristol University and is a member of the ICAEW.Our staff
Leadership Team
Donna Schultz – Managing Director
Donna has been an integral member of the Hertfordshire Chamber since 2019, and has been instrumental in cultivating and nurturing relationships with new and existing members across the county. Her extensive knowledge and expertise have positioned her as a vital asset in understanding the intricacies of the Chamber team and its membership. In her current role as Managing Director, Donna uses her skills to optimise the Chamber's influence on the Hertfordshire economy, contributing significantly to its growth and success.
Paige Scrivener - Project Manager & PA to the MD
Paige began her role as an account manager in June 2022, demonstrating her skills in building and maintaining relationships with members. In May 2023, she passed her Certification Procedures and EUR1 exams, allowing her to work alongside Frances in the Export Department.
In recognition of her attention to detail, organisational and communication skills, Paige was promoted to the role of Project Manager in February 2024, working closely with the Managing Director to lead projects at the Chamber. Paige also continues to work in the Export department helping Hertfordshire businesses export internationally and globally.
Amanda Freeland - Local Skills Improvement Programme (LSIP) Project Manager
Amanda Freeland has recently joined the Chamber to head up the Local Skills Improvement Plan, a project focussing on the skills needs of local employers to help develop businesses and shape the future economy of the county.
She has a wealth of experience in SME support, having led the Growth Hub and the Manufacturing Growth Programme in recent years.
In fact Amanda has worked alongside the Chamber for almost 30 years, from Business Link days and ever since, and she is delighted to be on the Chamber team now especially at such an auspicious time as the 100-year anniversary.
Membership Team
Amy Rich – Senior Account Manager
Amy is a long-standing member of the team, having been with the Herts Chamber for 10 years. Amy has extensive knowledge about the Chamber and our members.
She champions her relationship with existing members ensuring they are engaged, given a great service and see value for money.
Amy works with local businesses, building relationships to influence the shape of future programmes and involved with Sales to drive revenue.
Mary Sykes – Corporate Relations
For more than 10 years Mary's role has been to offer support to corporate organisations and Hertfordshire businesses by providing advice, guidance and introductions to a variety of opportunities.
She helps to enhance business performance, building alliances and strategic partnerships across the business community; and encourages companies to share their successes and examples of best practice.
Zoe Sykes – Business Engagement Manager
The Herts Chamber is pleased to welcome Zoe Sykes as our new Business Engagement Manager. Zoe joined the team in January 2024. Her role is to engage with businesses across the county and build relationships with new and existing members.
Zoe brings with her a wealth of knowledge and expertise, and we are delighted to have her join the team during our very exciting Centenary year.
Gillian McDowall - Account Manager
Gill joined the Chamber in March 2021. Working alongside Amy, Gill assists with account management and supporting the membership team with renewals and retention; ensuring our members are engaged and feel the value of membership.
Natalie Cane - Account Manager
Natalie joined the Chamber in July 2023. Working alongside Amy and Gill she assists with account management and supporting the membership team with renewals and retention; ensuring our members are engaged and feel the value of membership.
Natalie is a great addition to the team.
Events and Communications Team
Alison White - Head of Events and Communications
Alison joined the Chamber in 2017 as Events Manager, and was promoted to Head of Events and Communications in 2019. She took a break from the Chamber at the end of 2022 but returned in autumn 2023 to continue leading the team into our Centenary year and beyond.
Alison is responsible for planning and delivering the calendar of Events, which currently stands at more than 100 per annum, and consists of conferences, dinners, lunches, breakfasts, networking events, summits, workshops and training courses.
In addition, she has overall responsibility for Chamber communications, including: our bi-monthly Inspire magazine, press releases, mailshots, website and social media channels.
Abigail Parkins – Events Manager
Abigail, known as Abby, joined the Chamber in October 2023 as Events Manager. She has worked in the events industry for over eight years planning, organising, and running variety of different types of events from weddings to conferences.
Abby is responsible for planning, promoting and delivering a number of high profile events including monthly Chamber Lunches, Summits and Diamond Club. She works closely with Gee on networking breakfasts and assists Alison with the larger events such as IHA and conferences.
Georgia Corry – Marketing and Events Coordinator
Georgia, commonly known as Gee, has been part of the Herts Chamber team since November 2022. As our Marketing and Events Coordinator, Gee assists Alison, our Head of Events and Communications, to deliver our communications.
Gee plans, promotes, and executes various networking and breakfast events, whilst working seamlessly with Abby on larger gatherings such as lunches and supports Alison in orchestrating major events like the Inspiring Hertfordshire Awards and conferences.
International Trade Team
Frances Harris – Internal Export Manager
Frances has been involved in International Trade for over 30 years. Frances is on hand to help facilitate the requirements of Hertfordshire Exporters for their international trade success.
Feedback
If you would like to provide us with any feedback, or receive our complaints procedure, please email us at enquiries@hertschamber.com and we will endeavour to respond to you within 48 hours.
Request a meeting
Please provide us with your details as well the purpose of the meeting and a member of the team will reply to your request within 48 hours.