Meet the Herts Chamber team
PERRY JACKSON
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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.
COLIN SPILLER
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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.
JACQUELINE BUTTON
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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
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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
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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.
BINDIYA VERMA
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Bindiya Verma is an experienced international trade and business development professional with over 25 years of expertise in B2B marketing, trade fairs, and market expansion. She has a strong background in economics, market research, and strategic planning, alongside advanced German language skills.
As the Director of BMV Alliance, Bindiya represents Leipziger Messe GmbH, one of Germany’s top 10 trade fair organizers, in the UK, Ireland, and India. She works closely with businesses to leverage trade fairs as a key marketing and networking tool to expand internationally. Her role also includes supporting British companies looking to establish a presence in Leipzig by advising on site selection, recruitment, grants, and company formation
Bindiya uses her extensive network and expertise to strengthen trade and investment ties between the UK, Germany, and India. Committed to fostering international collaboration, she helps businesses navigate global expansion and achieve long-term success.
LIZ WICKS
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Liz Wicks is a partner at Moore Kingston Smith, a leading multi-disciplinary advisory, tax, and audit firm with extensive expertise across various sectors. Based in the St Albans office, Liz works closely with owner-managed businesses, large corporate groups, and charities. She delivers high-quality audits under both UK GAAP and IFRS, and provides cost-effective, solution-driven advice to help her clients achieve their goals. Liz is a member of the ICAEW, which underscores her expertise and commitment to excellence in her field. She takes pride in being part of a close-knit team that supports businesses at every stage of their life cycle.
JORDAN THOMAS
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Jordan is a former professional athlete, World and European Karate Champion, and Team GB competitor in both Karate and Taekwondo, representing Great Britain at the highest level, including two Olympic cycles, Tokyo and Paris.
With 13 years of experience in high-performance sport, Jordan has developed a deep understanding of what it takes to achieve sustained excellence.
Beyond competition, Jordan is passionate about developing talent and inspiring the next generation. As an Athlete Mentor for the Youth Sport Trust and an Ambassador for the Make Life Kind Charity, Jordan champions personal development, resilience, and leadership.
DANIEL MARTIN
SIMON NEATHAM
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Simon brings to the Herts Chamber many years of experience in both retail and sales environments in various positions up to Director Level. In his role as General Manager he provides support across every department in particular working strategically with the CEO to deliver Chamber objectives.
Email Simon
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MARY SYKES
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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.
IZZY FOLEY
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Isobelle (Izzy) joined the Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce in February 2026 as a Membership Account Manager.
She works closely with businesses across the county, supporting Chamber members to maximise the value of their membership and stay engaged with the Chamber’s services, opportunities and wider business community. Izzy brings experience from previous roles in sales and events management, where she developed strong relationship-building, client management and communication skills. Her background allows her to provide personalised guidance to members, helping them identify opportunities, build connections and get the most from their Chamber membership.
CLAIRE BREWSTER
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Claire joined the Hertfordshire Chamber Of Commerce in December 2025 and will be working across various departments including Exports.
She brings expertise in events, charity, retail and continuous improvement, all of which help to build rapport with members and support the Chamber’s mission in helping businesses across Hertfordshire thrive.
VICTORIA BROCK
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Victoria joined The Hertfordshire Chamber Of Commerce in November 24.
Victoria is here to support, work and look after our new and current Members Accounts.
Similarly bringing in new business, upgrading and renewing members.
Victoria comes from a strong background in sales, customer relations and events.
Email Victoria
ABIGAIL PARKINS
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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 assists Caroline with the larger events such as IHA and conferences.
CAROLINE MAHER
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Caroline joined the Chamber in May 2024 as Conference and Events Manager. She is responsible for planning and delivering the larger events including conferences, awards ceremonies, annual celebrations and other prestigious events throughout the year. She is also involved in marketing events.
Caroline brings over 30 years’ experience working in operations and events, across private, public and charitable sectors. She has also successfully run her own consultancy business for 8 years. As a Company Director she had responsibility for business operations and event management.
SAMANTHA GIBBS
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Samantha joined the Chamber in February, bringing with her valuable experience from the construction industry, where she spent the previous four years. She has a strong track record of supporting daily operations and ensuring efficiency across a range of administrative functions.
With over 10 years’ experience in support roles across multiple industries, Samantha has developed a versatile skill set and a proactive approach to her work. She is highly organised, reliable, and committed to delivering high-quality support while contributing to the organisation’s overall success.
CIARA THOMAS
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Ciara joined the Chamber in April 2025 as Marketing Executive and has recently been promoted to Marketing Manager – Membership Engagement. She manages the Chamber’s marketing activity, including social media, email campaigns, website updates, and content creation, helping to raise awareness of the Chamber’s work and initiatives. Through engaging videos, photography, and creative campaigns, she promotes events and communications that support the Chamber’s vision and connect with businesses across Hertfordshire.
Ciara brings experience in PR, influencer marketing, and social media management, having previously worked in London for global fashion brand True Religion, as well as running her own social media agency and collaborating with brands as a UGC creator and micro-influencer. This background has given her strong expertise in digital engagement, brand storytelling, and creative strategy, all of which she brings to supporting the Chamber’s mission and helping businesses across Hertfordshire thrive.
ELLIE ROE
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Ellie joined the Chamber in November, having previously spent two years living in Canada. She organises a number of the Chamber’s high profile events, including monthly Chamber Lunches, Summits, Diamond Club and Patron events, and supports the delivery of conferences and the IHA Gala.
Ellie has a broad background in event management and event delivery, with experience across corporate, charity, membership, agency and freelance roles. She also has experience in event production, marketing and brand work, and began her career in administrative and executive support roles.
FRANCES HARRIS
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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
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