The Chamber team works for the benefit of our members from offices based in Maidstone and Ashford.
Jo James, Chief Executive
As Chief Executive Jo has overall responsibility for ensuring the Chamber meets the needs of its members and has a sound financial footing.
“Kent Invicta Chamber is one of the largest Chambers in the South East and most certainly one of the most active. I am very proud of that fact and will continue to ensure that we build upon this to make Kent Invicta Chamber ‘the most active Chamber’ in the South East giving maximum benefit to our membership and the business community as a whole’. We are very fortunate to have an excellent Team of people who are all dedicated to delivering a quality service to our membership”.
Kath Chapman, Resources Manager
Kath has been with the Chamber for over 10 years, helping to provide a premium conference centre.
“I am fortunate in having the very best of support from staff and between us, we’ve built up this area of activity and pride ourselves as having an enviable reputation in this competitive area of business. I am also pleased to be a member of the Export Documentation Team, an important service to members and non-members alike and an interesting area to work within. Funnily enough, thirty years ago, I was preparing export documents for embassies to certify! As my job title suggests, there’s plenty to do and never a dull moment.”
Malcolm Finch, Senior Business Advisor
Malcolm has been involved since the early nineties and at the Chamber from 1987-2003, rejoining the team this year, having had thirty years experience of self-employment and small business in a variety of sectors. From retail to manufacturing, franchising to export dealing with all aspects of marketing, finance, employment and production.
"I have been very fortunate to have started, bought and sold businesses over a long period of time, giving me experience in many sectors of the commercial world. As an adviser I am happy to meet start up & existing companies to discuss their pathway to successful development. As well as the Chamber I have business interests, which allows me to experience just the same highs and lows of all my advisory clients. I have also been involved in advising the way forward of ailing businesses so that they can go forward into a new upland of success."
Amanda Roberts, Membership Representative - Ashford
Amanda is passionate about service and has always worked in customer facing roles. Having worked for the Swindon Chamber of Commerce and at Kent Invicta Chamber HQ – Ashford for two years, she feels she can offer members a sound knowledge on the services, benefits and products on offer. Amanda is the key contact for members in Ashford and works closely with the local business community and draws on local strength and knowledge.
“I am available to assist you in any way I can, please feel free to pop in for coffee, the door is always open and if I don’t know the answer, I will find someone within the Chamber who does!”
Colin Davies, Membership Representative – Maidstone & West Kent
Colin ran a business of his own in the local area for 30 years. Based in our Maidstone office, he has a wealth of local business knowledge as well as many years of experience of Chambers of Commerce. This experience allows him to develop members requirements around the structure of chamber benefits whilst maintaining and promoting good working relationships within the membership. Colin is the key contact for members in the Maidstone and West Kent areas.
"The beauty of the Chamber is that it’s YOUR Chamber and we are here for YOU this is the way I feel about being part of Kent Invicta Chamber"
Ian Johnson, Business Advisor
Ian has been a Business Adviser with the Enterprise Agency and the Chamber for eleven years. He is a Chartered Accountant and has started, run and sold his own SME - Homelands Bettergolf. He shared responsibility for the "Look Before You Leap" Start-up Business Training at the Chamber for many years.
"I enjoy advising businesses on any subject or helping them with any problem, and to providing a mentoring service as required".
Trit, Information Officer
Trit has been with the Chamber for over 14 years – too long some might say! – and has performed a variety of roles in that time giving him a real understanding of the needs of members and the capabilities of the Chamber. His background is mainly in Editorial Research in Fleet Street, although he has dabbled in many other things including farming, equestrianism, chauffeuring, and motor vehicle maintenance.
“My official job description calls me Information Officer, which gives me responsibility for such things as the membership database, the monthly magazine, and member enquiries for “information”, whatever that might be. However, I see my role as “versatile”, and I am here to react to whatever task the staff or the membership require of me”.
Frankie Wiggins, Membership Administrator
Frankie who is known as ‘the events lady’ has worked for the Chamber now for nearly eight years, having worked at one of the major Clearing Banks for too many years (her words!). Her background is mainly Customer Services in it’s many forms and attention to detail; she is a good listener, has a good sense of humour and likes to hear new ideas.
"I love to talk to our members and visit their premises to discuss ideas and welcome them to the office for a chat and a coffee."
Rob Booth, Export & Business Administrator
Rob is responsible for our export documentation department and is the first point of call for all you export enquiries. He also provides administrative support to our business support advisors. Rob has the additional task of keeping the news items up to date on our website and ensuring all your member-2-member offers are on the website each month.
“As you can see my role, like everyone else at the Chamber is very diverse, which is the way I like it. I am delighted to be heading up our new Export Department and being able to assist our members”.
Maxine Gregory, Membership Assistant.
“We hold in excess 100 events each year, if you would like to know more about our networking opportunities, workshops or seminars please just telephone, e-mail or log on to our website under the events section. I look forward to meeting you very soon"
Julia Willis, Facilities Co-ordinator & Receptionist
Julia works part-time and manages our room hire bookings & catering requirements for our conference facilities at the Chamber HQ - Ashford.
“I will always endeavour to make your event run as smoothly as possible and note any special dietary requirements for you or your colleagues, if I can assist in any way you will find me in reception”
Beverley Clark, Accounts Administrator
Beverley has been with the Chamber for over 21 years coming originally from the business enterprise side of the organisation. She now runs the accounts department at the Chamber HQ - Ashford. As well as accounts she is also part of the newly formed Export Documentation Team which also based at the Ashford office.
David Durrance, Credit Controller
David works part-time in the Accounts Department along side Beverley. His background is primarily in the Computer Industry where he has run his own business but his recent activities have been more varied and include running a catering business.
“I am probably the one person in the Chamber who you don’t wish to hear from as it probably means that you haven’t been paying your invoices on time. I have heard all the excuses before and have probably used most of them myself although I did recently receive an item from Royal Mail that had been posted to me more than 30 years earlier!”
Pete Waite, Resources steward
Pete has been with the Chamber for over a year now and is always at hand to help out our visitors and staff a like, nothing is to much trouble. He ensures the smooth operation of conferencing facilities and maintains the grounds and premises as well.
“I’m located in the kitchen area, please do not hesitate to ask if I can help in any way”
