Last Updated on: 21st November 2023, 09:57 pm
The Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce has appointed three inspiring professionals to its board of directors ahead of its planned growth in 2019.
Alison Palmer, corporate partner at Eaton Smith, Mark Evans, director of Better Telecoms, and Jan Szczepanski, director of the SFB Group Wakefield office, join the existing team to strengthen its growing support and representation of businesses across the Halifax, Huddersfield and Wakefield districts.
After relocating from Sheffield-based Tofields, Alison Palmer joined Eaton Smith in 2006 to advise clients on all corporate law matters including: business sales and purchases; joint ventures; venture capital investments; corporate finance and re-financing; shareholders and partnership agreements; EMI schemes; exit planning and offering strategic advice to SMEs.
A past president of the Huddersfield and Dewsbury Law Society, and a specialist in corporate law since 1990, Alison will bring a wealth of commercial experience to the board.
Mark Evans runs Better Telecoms, a Huddersfield-based independent consultancy, with his wife Sara. Together they identify solutions for those who are struggling with the myriad of telecoms technology, connecting them with reliable suppliers, and supporting them throughout the whole process.
Additionally, Mark is a Trustee for his local Scout group, as well as two charitable trusts. His expertise and involvement in organising local networking and community events, will strengthen the way the Chamber helps businesses stay connected.
Jan Szczepanski joined the SFB group in 2014 following a merger with his own business, Sanders Geeson, which he founded in 2005. Finalists of the business of the year in Wakefield awards, SFB Group are a central Wakefield-based firm of Chartered Accountants, tax and business advisors.
The Chartered Accountant, who successfully completed a Law degree, MBA and a Diploma from the Personal Finance Society, joins the board with over 30 years of financial experience and will support the team with the finance, administration and commercial side of the operations.
The trio will take the current board to 10 members, joining Martin Hathaway, MD of Mid Yorkshire Chamber, Brian Stahelin MD of Stafflex, Gareth Hunt, MD of Copiserv, Andy Turner of First Choice Recruitment, Stefanie MD of Faith PR, Jason McCartney, head of Public Affairs at the University of Huddersfield and Tim Welton, partner at Williams & Co.
The Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce is a growth driving business that provides the most relevant and valuable, services and benefits to businesses across the district. Its knowledge and understanding of the challenges and opportunities of both now and the future ensure that members remain connected, supported and represented locally, nationally and internationally.
The role of the Board of Directors is to advise, challenge and ensure the Chamber is run in a sustainable way for the long-term benefit of its members, and act as ambassadors for the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce.
Martin Hathaway, managing director of the Chamber said: “The new board members will strengthen our existing team and will support our growth going into 2019 and our vision to support more businesses within the local districts.”
Alison Palmer commented: “I am delighted to be joining the Board at such an exciting time, and I’m very much looking forward to the growth plans for 2019. I’m extremely determined to do all I can to help the Chamber continue to connect, support and represent our businesses.”
Mark Evans said: “It’s an honour to be invited to sit on the Board. As a member of the Chamber myself, I am familiar with the benefits businesses receive through membership, and I want to play a part in raising its awareness.
Jan Szczepanski added: “I joined the Chamber in 2005 as a member, because in the various businesses I worked in as a finance director I was able to benefit enormously from the services and support of the Mid Yorkshire Chamber.
“I built up a great respect for Chambers generally. Having founded my own small start-up business I also found that there were several services which the Chamber offered to help grow our business.”
