About the Burton and District Chamber of Commerce
The Burton and District Chamber of Commerce supports businesses across East Staffordshire and the surrounding area, including the key centres of Burton upon Trent and Uttoxeter. As a division of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC), it forms part of a wider network of more than 2,500 businesses, collectively representing over 180,000 employees across the region.
The Chamber works closely with local stakeholders, councils, and partner organisations to champion the interests of businesses at every stage of their journey. Through regular engagement, it helps to identify opportunities, promote key events, and drive awareness of local and regional developments that can benefit the business community, members or no.
East Staffordshire continues to attract a growing number of start-ups and inward investment, reflecting the area’s strong appeal and future potential. It’s an exciting time to be part of the Chamber, with increasing momentum around collaboration, innovation, and growth.
Contact us here or our divisional lead, Richard Brooks to find out how this can benefit you and your business.
Richard Brooks
Head of Burton & District
Tel: 07796242029
Burton & District Charity of the Year
Kids’ Village will be the UK’s first holiday village for sick children & their families. A place for imagination, enjoying nature together and feeling free from daily challenges battling a serious illness.’
We are creating the UK’s first holiday village offering free respite breaks for critically ill children and their families.
Founded by the Fletcher family after their daughter Sammie was diagnosed with cancer aged nine, the charity was inspired by a similar village in Florida and the need to create that same support in the UK.
The first site, Charlotte’s Kids’ Village, is being built on a 30-acre woodland site in Wychnor, Staffordshire, following a successful £5m capital appeal. Named in memory of Charlotte, who sadly died of a brain tumour aged 11, the village is now under construction and is planned to open in 2027.
Kids’ Village’s long-term aim is to create several respite holiday villages across the UK, giving families facing childhood critical illness the chance to rest, reconnect and make precious memories at no cost to them.
- Website:
- www.kidsvillage.org.uk/
Burton & District patrons
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Meet the Burton & District Committee
ROB PAGE - BURTON & DISTRICT PRESIDENT
Rob has over 36 years of experience in commercial leadership roles, including nine years as MD of Swinkels Family Brewers where he led significant business growth. Now running his own consultancy, he offers insight into financial matters, wealth management, leadership development, sustainable growth, and team transformation. Rob values building trusted relationships and looks forward to supporting local businesses through the Chamber. He is a committed Derby County season ticket holder, enjoys golf, and running.
RICHARD WILEMAN - HONORARY PRESIDENT
Richard is Principal at Select Car Leasing in Burton-upon-Trent and brings over four decades of expertise in the motor industry. As a long-standing Chamber supporter, currently serving as Patron and Vice President of the Burton & District Chamber, he offers strategic insight and a deep understanding of business needs. Richard is passionate about supporting local businesses and connecting people through the Chamber to help them succeed. Away from work, he is a keen golfer and Derby County supporter.
RUSSELL JEANS - VICE PRESIDENT
Russell is CEO of Sefton & Associates, a senior recruitment and executive search firm. With over 30 years of corporate experience, he advises on growth strategy, board governance, and investment. A qualified accountant and MBA graduate, he also chairs the Birmingham Assay Office. Russell brings strategic insight and leadership experience to the Chamber, with a passion for supporting enterprise and innovation.
CLAIRE REEVES - VICE PRESIDENT
Claire is an award-winning coach and integrative counsellor with deep expertise in NLP, hypnotherapy, and Time Line Therapy. Drawing from her personal and professional journey, she helps individuals overcome challenges and unlock their potential. Claire brings a wellbeing and personal development lens to the Chamber, advocating for mental resilience as a driver of business performance.
AMRIT VIRK
Amrit is Assistant Principal for Marketing, Business Development and International at Burton & South Derbyshire College. With previous experience leading curriculum delivery and quality assurance, he offers strong insight into skills development and workforce planning. Amrit is committed to building stronger links between education and business to meet the region’s evolving economic needs.
AMY JACKLIN
Amy Jacklin is Fundraising Executive at Kids Village, the charity developing the UK’s first holiday village dedicated to critically ill children and their families, based just outside Lichfield.
Amy plays an important role in supporting the charity’s fundraising activity, helping to build awareness, partnerships and support for a project that has already raised £5 million towards creating a much-needed place of respite, care and memory-making for children and families facing extremely difficult circumstances.
BLU HARDY
Blu Hardy is Marketing Manager at Hardy Signs Ltd, where she leads the company’s brand and digital marketing strategy. Her role includes developing campaigns across web, social media and content channels, helping to strengthen Hardy Signs’ profile, customer engagement and position within the signage industry.
With a background in film production, screenwriting and content creation, Blu brings a creative and storytelling-led approach to marketing. She is particularly focused on digital growth, SEO, content marketing and consistent brand messaging, while also continuing to develop her own creative projects outside of work.
CAROLINE FOTHERINGHAM
Caroline Fotheringham is Chief Executive of SARAC, the Sexual Abuse Rape Advice Centre, a UK charity supporting victims and survivors of sexual abuse, regardless of age, gender, religion or sexuality.
Caroline leads the charity’s work to provide specialist support, advice and advocacy for those affected by sexual violence. SARAC also delivers training, development and consultancy to help organisations better understand sexual abuse, improve awareness and support safer, more informed communities.
IMRAN AHMED
Imran Ahmed is Commercial Manager at IT Helpdesk Burton, one of the Midlands’ leading managed service providers. He works with businesses to reduce IT stress, improve cyber security, strengthen productivity and get better value from their technology.
With more than 15 years’ experience across technology, operations and client delivery, Imran brings a straight-talking and relationship-driven approach to IT support. His focus is on helping businesses understand their challenges, make confident technology decisions and access clear, practical solutions without unnecessary jargon.
PAULA SENIOR
Paula brings extensive experience in relationship-building across business, education, and the charity sector. Her work in fundraising, event management, and strategic partnerships makes her a valuable link between community and commerce. Passionate about making a difference, Paula brings an inclusive perspective and a drive to grow connections between sectors. Outside of work, she enjoys travelling, socialising, and a competitive game of Rummikub.
RICHARD FAULKNER
Richard is Director at Alexander Accountancy, where he works closely with individuals and businesses to maximise income, improve profitability, and reduce tax liabilities. With a proactive and pragmatic approach, he adds commercial acumen to the Chamber Council. Richard is also a keen sports fan who enjoys spending time with his family, playing golf, and relaxing with a good TV box set.
SARAH PRITCHARD
Sarah Pritchard is the founder of Carrot Solutions Ltd, where she supports SMEs to grow, develop and build stronger business networks. She has a strong background in business development, sales, customer service, retention and management, with experience across the private sector, local authority, healthcare, the NHS and the charity sector.
Before launching Carrot Solutions, Sarah worked in the mobility equipment industry, NHS secure services, charity business development and local authority business support. This broad experience gives her a practical and people-focused approach to helping businesses understand their opportunities, build relationships and move forward with confidence.
THOMAS DEERY
Thomas leads regeneration and development for East Staffordshire Borough Council, overseeing strategic projects that support growth, investment, and infrastructure. His experience in planning and local government brings vital knowledge to the Chamber Council, particularly around business support and place-making initiatives.
TIM MAHONEY
Tim is the founder of EEvolution and a seasoned business leader with a background in delivering transformative change across industries. His expertise spans technology integration, agile leadership, and operational improvement. Tim’s approach focuses on innovation and building high-performance teams. Through the Chamber, he aims to help businesses unlock their potential and adapt to new opportunities in a fast-changing environment.