Established in 1994, Somerset Chamber of Commerce works hard to support local businesses and, specifically, our 500-strong network of member businesses covering all industry sectors from sole-traders to multi-national corporations. Combined with local town chambers, Somerset Chamber represents over 2,000 businesses across Somerset.
We help people and businesses to connect.
We influence and represent Somerset business.
We provide opportunities for businesses to grow.
Somerset Chamber is one of only 53 Chambers accredited to the British Chambers of Commerce, which represents over 100,000 businesses in the UK and is the only truly independent UK business support organisation which has local representation, credibility in the eyes of the Government and the media and is consulted at all levels by Government.
To be a catalyst to support and grow a vibrant Somerset economy through our values:
Managing Director
Membership Manager
I joined the Chamber full time in February 2011 looking after and expanding the Chamber events programme. At the start of 2012 I was offered a permanent role within the Chamber to look after the marketing and communication. I then moved into membership and am now the Chamber’s Membership Manager.
My working background is varied, to say the least, starting my career with a short teaching job in India and then back to a role in technical customer support for a security software company. During my time there I took a six month sabbatical to explore the world and came back a little wiser and more adventurous. I then moved on to work for a challenge events company working with charities, corporates and individuals.
Previously, I worked in bars and restaurants (running alongside other jobs) which, for those of you that know me will know, fulfilled my need to chat and socialise!
I enjoy keeping active with rock climbing, salsa dancing and running (time allowing) taking key roles in my life. Rock climbing in particular has had a significant impact over the years taking me to a variety of gorgeous locations and allowing me to meet my husband.
Events Manager
I joined the Chamber in September 2021 after working as a Retail Marketing Assistant for three years.
My role is to assist with the organisation and administration of events for Somerset Chamber of Commerce. My role also involves marketing and actively promoting upcoming events to our members on all social media platforms.
I really enjoy the opportunity to meet new people and enjoy being able to make new connections with different business as well as also being able to organise and attend various events at lovely local venues within Somerset.
I think that my team would describe me as being a bubbly, funny, friendly and happy person to work with. I always work well within a team and I am always on hand and keen to offer support and encourage to my colleagues when needed.
I own two Dalmatians, Dolly aged five years and Pongo aged 11 years. I have had Dolly since she was a tiny puppy and I recused Pongo from Spain four years ago and would be lost without them. I enjoy taking them on holidays to Devon and Cornwall, long beach and field walks and we enjoy meeting up with fellow spotty obsessed Dalmatian owners for a “Dally Rally” on the Brean Sands. I also own far too many Dalmatian print inspired items!!
PR and Communications Executive
I joined the Chamber in March 2019 after a brief spell with a local marketing agency. Prior to that I was the external communications manager at both Hinkley Point B and Hinkley Point C but my background is in local media. I’ve worked for more years than I care to remember in local newspapers and for broadcast media – from Shetland in the far north, down to Devon. But I’m Taunton born and bred, so I’ve spent most of my newspaper career in Somerset.
I help to promote the good work of the Chamber, its members and business partners, together with the work of the Hinkley Supply Chain and Local Skills and Enterprise Partnership teams, issuing press releases, liaising with media and stakeholders and writing articles for the Chamber website, newsletter and magazine. I also put together the Chamber’s fortnightly e-newsletter, Pulse, the bi-monthly magazine, Somerset Voice, and am responsible for the Hinkley Supply Chain bi-monthly e-newsletter, too. I am also a member of the national British Chambers of Commerce network communications group.
I was once on Blockbusters – the original version, not the latter-day imposter! I failed miserably (not a surprise) but I do treasure my Blockbusters dictionary signed by the lovely Bob Holness.
Senior Events Officer
I have been working as part of the Somerset Chamber team since late February 2022. They are an excellent team, passionate, dedicated and super friendly. I enjoy meeting new people, I have a very eclectic background having worked in fitness, training, HR, pharmaceuticals, retail, public sectors and entertainment industry (on cruise ships in Australia).
Originally from West London, I moved to Somerset in 2014. I have two very energetic dogs, a cat and a son who makes me proud every day and keeps me on my toes. I love being outdoors, camping, kayaking, gardening and adventuring in our beautiful countryside. I practice mindfulness, meditation and yoga which keeps me grounded.
My role involves connecting like-minded people in business through engaging events. I enjoy meeting new and existing members and helping them to connect with other businesses at our events.
I think my colleagues would describe me as positive, helpful and friendly, possibly a bit clumsy! I also used to play football at school at played at Stamford Bridge.
Membership Officer
My job role here at the chamber is the Membership Officer. I support Jenn, our Membership Engagement and Policy Manager.
I love meeting Chamber members, finding out about their businesses and being able to support them as a complete business community.
I joined the Chamber in July 2022 having taken time out of my career to complete an Fda in English and Creative Writing, a great love of mine. My working history has been varied starting with a stint in the Royal Air Force as a transport mechanic and after leaving to have my family I moved into youth work working with at-risk young people, in an alternative education environment within the charitable sector.
This led to me training other youth workers and on relocation to the North East my role as a Community Development Manager involved collaborating with communities within a deprived area to gain large scale funding and provide opportunities not previously available.
My home life has involved relocations to, France, Cyprus, Germany, and across all counties of the UK. My training experience took me into training carers within a domiciliary care setting, where I also worked first-hand within a palliative care setting, which was a huge privilege. This led to management within the residential care home sector and eventually I became a Business Manager for Anchor managing a large home in BANES.
My husband, a hugely travelled outdoor adventure type, and I decided to settle in Somerset and in 2010 bought an outdoor clothing business in Cheddar Gorge and have been expanding it ever since. For seven years, I also owned a party/event retail/set-up business during that time.
My working life has given me a chance to be involved in people’s lives with an aim of doing what I can to support them. It has also given me a good insight into the challenging work that is involved with self-employment and the highs and lows of retail and online business, as well as large-scale business management.
My home life involves being outdoors, horse riding, canoeing, kayaking and SUP’ing and spending time with my family and Rhodesian Ridgeback!
Outside of work, I am a trained Hatha yoga teacher and relaxation therapist!
Membership Development Officer
I joined the Chamber last year. Before that, I worked in the automotive and engineering sectors, supplying equipment and consumables to various workshops and mobile technicians. I did this for several years. I have been in sales for most of my working life.
My role is to engage with businesses outside of the Chamber and make them aware of who we are and how we can help them. It is my task to raise the profile of the Chamber to businesses who do not know what we do and how we can help them.
I enjoy speaking to the many companies across the varied sectors that they operate in. It always amazes me how wide the many industries are that operate in the county.
I would be described as the cheeky chappie of the team. I always have a smile on my face and see the funny in most situations. It would be of little surprise to you to learn that I would be the life and soul of the party, when not out walking my dogs or playing golf, that is.
I have a quiz team that I captain, although it does have a few revolving members. One of my labradors is usually the team mascot.
Data Analyst
I joined the Chamber in February 2022 as a Data Analyst for the Hinkley Supply Chain. Before this I was working at Toolstation as a Supply Chain Planner.
My role involves working on the Hinkley Point C (HPC) regional database, making sure it has the most up-to-date information, so we can provide the project’s Tier 1 contractors with the details of regional suppliers who can fulfil contracts.
I really enjoy being involved in the HPC project, there is a lot of responsibility but that makes it a very rewarding role. It is amazing to see local businesses thrive due to the HPC project and I’m excited to learn more about it, getting more and more involved as I progress.
I think my colleagues would describe me as friendly, calm minded and intuitive.
Outside of work I’m a big fan of F1, the UFC and either playing or watching football. I spend most of my free time making excuses to not go to the gym, but I have keen interest to get involved in other physical activities such as hiking as I’d like to do the Three Peaks Challenge!
Chair
Emma Warren is the Managing Director of Elite Staffing Solutions in Taunton which has been established for five years. Elite Staffing Solutions was launched to bring a fresh approach to recruiting in specialist sectors and is now a team of seven and has secured over 600 people roles. Elite have been active Chamber members for five years and have been heavily involved in the Somerset Business Awards throughout that time both as a sponsor and winner. They won two Somerset Business awards on 2016, a Taunton Deane Business Award in 2016 and Emma scooped Female Entrepreneur of the Year at the South West Business Awards in January 2019.
Business is Emma’s passion and she actively develops her knowledge through reading and belonging to a Mastery Consultancy Group for recruitment business owners. Emma uses this knowledge to work with companies, small and large in developing their hiring proposition and overcoming the challenges that the current recruitment market presents. Emma is looking forward to using these experiences in assisting the chamber to help businesses locally to continue to thrive and grow and also give back to a community that has supported her in achieving her goals.
Emma has two young children and has successfully launched and grown a business whilst juggling life as a working mum. As a business and family they support Taunton Deane Cricket Club and she enjoys walking in the Somerset countryside and is an active gym member.
Vice Chair
Joe Routledge is the Finance Director of Sycamore Process Engineering Ltd, a process engineering company based in rural Somerset, just outside of Sparkford. The company has been an active member of the Somerset Chamber of Commerce since 2019, and are proud to have won three Somerset Business Awards during that time.
Since becoming a qualified accountant in 2001, Joe has gained a wide ranging knowledge of all aspects of Finance, Accounting and IT which are put to good use in helping to grow Sycamore. He is looking forward to using these skills to contribute to the continued success of the Chamber in supporting local businesses, as he is passionate about Somerset being a great place to live and run a business from.
Joe loves to be outdoors, with running and hiking at the top of the list of favourite activities. When not outdoors, supporting Southampton FC and watching many other sports compete for his time alongside raising two children.
Finance Director
Mike Cahill is a Partner in the Business Services Team at Albert Goodman LLP, a forward thinking regional firm of Chartered Accountants, Financial Planners and Business Advisors.
Albert Goodman are active Chamber members and are regular sponsors and participants in Chamber events. They are main sponsor of the Somerset Business Awards as well as the Family Business of the year category which Mike has judged for several years.
In recent years the firm has been recognised as one of the Top 50 South West Firms and Number One Accountancy firm in the UK to work for by Best Companies, as well as being a finalist in the Large Firm of the year category at the Accounting Excellence Awards.
Mike specialises in providing account, tax and commercial advice to owner and family managed business and has a real understanding of both the financial and emotional pressures individuals may experience when running their own business as a result of his own personal family business background. He holds strong relationships with his clients and members of the Somerset Business community and uses these to help deliver tailored solutions to individual needs.
Mike is looking forwarded to using this experience to help the Chamber continue to provide high quality support to local businesses and help them achieve their goals.
Outside of work, Mike is married with two children, has a keen interest in a number of sports and also runs one of the Huish Tigers Youth Football Teams.
Member Director
Graeme is the owner and Managing Director of Level Up (SW) Ltd in Hambridge, near Langport. Since founding the business in December 2006, Graeme has successfully supported business growth and leadership & management development in SMEs and professional organisations across Somerset and the South West.
He was an accredited Growth Coach with the Business Growth Service and its predecessors between 2010 and 2016, and he has delivered numerous presentations, seminars and workshops for Somerset Chamber and various town Chambers over the past 12 years.
Member Director
Evelyn qualified as a solicitor in 2002 having completed her training with a firm in Nottingham, where she worked as part of the corporate team for a further five years.
Following a round the world trip, Evelyn worked with a firm in Reading for a number of years before making the move closer to home and joining Porter Dodson as a partner in 2012.
She has extensive experience on the full range of business services, having worked with a broad range of businesses, ranging from local sole traders, partnerships and small owner-managed companies to larger regional, national and international corporates.
Her experience allows her to ease the legal process for my clients, working with clients to understand their business and objectives to deliver high quality focused advice and solutions relevant to their needs.
Evelyn seeks to build a strong personal relationship with her clients and is the direct point of contact for all her client work.
Bridgwater Chamber – Affiliate Member Director
Matthew was appointed to the Board as a Town Chamber Representative Director in November 2019, bringing with him more than 16 years of experience working in sales, marketing and customer success. As a previously award winning Customer Success Director, Matthew started his own business in early 2019, helping businesses to use the latest technology to drive their businesses forward, using his experience of working with the likes of Rugby World Cup 2015, RFU, Xerox to name a few. A keen advocate of all things Digital Marketing, Matthew is a keen speaker at events, where he shares great value and insight into how businesses can grow through simple, yet powerful marketing methods.
He joined the Bridgwater Chamber of Commerce as a board member in 2018, where he continues to sit on the board and help grow the chamber and the value it brings to it’s members.
Educated in Bridgwater at Bridgwater and Taunton College, where he studied for a HND in Computing and A Level in Law. Matthew is also a big rugby fan, whilst he supports The Scarlets, from where his family come from in West Wales, Matthew has played for Bridgwater & Albion RFC since joining them at the age of 11 through to a handful of 1st team appearances. He’s also appeared for Somerton RFC and Morganians RFC in recent years.
Member Director
Lizzie is the co-owner and co-director of Teapot Creative, a design and digital creative agency based in rural Somerset, just outside Langport. The business is in its 10th year, with 20 employees and well established within the business community in Somerset. Teapot Creative have been active members of the Chamber for seven years and regularly sponsors of the Somerset Business Awards, having won Business of the Year in 2016.
Lizzie feels that as we are becoming more and more reliant on creative and digital industries, they need a spokesperson. She is proud to help represent them within the Somerset Chamber.
She also strongly supports the cause of rural businesses. Teapot Creative are based in the heart of the Somerset countryside on the levels. Lizzie feels that rural businesses bring much needed employment and income to areas outside the town centres and raise the profile of these areas at the same time.
Lizzie has three teenage children at three different schools and a more than full-time job which raises its challenges. She feels that these days, work and home life are symbiotic hard-working mums are a vital part of our business community.
When she has time Lizzie can be found walking coastal paths and given half a chance, riding her daughter’s horse. With a love of all things creative, lino printing and visiting galleries are also a favourite pastime.
Member Director
Jerome leads C2 – The Helpful Company, a Health and Safety, Fire Protection and HR Consultancy with offices across the UK and a Head Office just outside Bridgwater. The company is proud to have been an active member of Somerset Chamber of Commerce since 2007.
Jerome returned home to Somerset from an international career managing a Pan EMEA Logistics Team of 4,500 people at the turn of the century with his wife and two children. He purchased a sole trader safety consultancy and set about rolling up his sleeves and growing the business on the back of going the extra mile to help business owners.
The company’s charitable giving programme consistently supports many local and national charities including the Lighthouse Club, of which Jerome is a committee member.
His first degree is in Economics and Applied Statistics, with higher qualifications in Management, Leadership and Safety.
Away from work Jerome is the Chairman of the Quantock Harriers and has run over 140 marathon and ultra-marathons all over the world.
Member Director
Sarah Green is the Managing Director of Marston Foods, a manufacturer of handmade luxury desserts based in Frome. Joining the company back when it was founded in 2010, Sarah has helped the business grow into a £9m turnover business with 70 locally employed staff supplying most of the major retailers.
The business has always been keen to shout about manufacturing in Somerset and being part of the Somerset Chamber of Commerce over the last few years has played an integral part. At the Business Awards in 2021, they were both Business of the Year and Large Manufacturer of the year and since then have been proud to sponsor the event to support other growing businesses.
Manufacturing is something that is not represented enough in the UK let alone Somerset so to be able to fly this flag is something that Sarah is passionate about. She also believes that businesses networking and sharing their learnings is a key to ensuring SME’s continue to grow and prosper in Somerset.
When not working, Sarah is kept busy with family life which includes being taxi to four teenagers, but in between manages to squeeze in her love of cooking (not always desserts!) and growing her own fruit and veg!
Member Director
Karen Morledge is the founder and managing director of Morledge & Co., a public relations and marketing agency in rural Somerset, just outside Weston-super-Mare. The company is proud to have been an active member of the Somerset Chamber of Commerce since its inception in 2019 and Karen’s former PR agency was a long-term member before she sold the business in 2018.
Originally from Cambridge, Karen relocated to Somerset more than 20 years ago and is following in the footsteps of several generations of her family by running her businesses from our wonderful county. Over the last 15 years, Karen has dedicated her career to supporting businesses in Somerset and beyond, with her PR and marketing skills. Alongside her team, she has achieved various accolades and awards along the way.
Graduating later in life with an MSc in Management from UWE in 2008 and continuing her learning by becoming certified with the Digital Marketing Institute in 2019, Karen is passionate about helping businesses to understand and benefit from PR which can often be misunderstood.
Karen is engaged in other ventures based at her smallholding where she lives with her husband, two children and extended family. Karen’s daughter is a rising young athlete proudly representing Somerset from her local club, Burnham Company of Archers.
When she has time, Karen enjoys walking her dogs in our wonderful countryside as well as cooking and baking, being a somewhat secretly qualified chef!
Join Somerset Chamber of Commerce to give your business a stronger voice both locally, regionally and nationally. Combined with local town chambers, we represent over 2,000 businesses across Somerset with a direct line to policy-makers at all levels.
