Katrina is the Client Relationship Manger with Thackray Williams LLP Solicitors and is based at the firms’ Sevenoaks office.

Her experience is drawn from working for multi-national corporates, SME’s, charities and family-owned businesses. She brings with her key skills in business development, CRM, marketing, tender management and the facilitation of client care through post transaction and matter reviews.

Katrina has been part of the Chamber since April 2017 and has always seen her role as an ambassador, not just for her own firm, but for the Chamber too.

“I was absolutely thrilled when I joined the Chamber Board back in 2019, and now, to be appointed as Chair, is a huge privilege. Such a wonderful opportunity to be able to continue to contribute to the growth and development of this dynamic and vibrant business community, and all the more so now, as our members and our local community begin their journey of recovery, from the pandemic”.

An advocate of personal wellbeing, Katrina is a Mental Health First Aider and Reiki Master Teacher. Mental health and wellbeing concerns, whether personal or within the confines of a business, can become isolating and difficult to manage. Katrina is happy to offer support to any Chamber member who feels that ‘a chat’ just might help to bring some clarity

Katrina can be contacted on 077 3333 4374 or at katrina.walker@thackraywilliams.com

Dawn joined the Chamber in 2020 and has until recently run her own company concurrent with being a Board Director representing the 1800-strong membership interest of a London-based national organisation, where her focus was growing the membership and enhancing the value of membership both internally and to the outside world.

Dawn brings experience of working with an international hotel company as a director in Human Resources; has taken time out for a baby break; working as an associate in a small-medium sized organization; managing the back office support for her husband’s company; developing her own company as a sole trader and most recently working with Sevenoaks District Council.

Email: dawn@sevenoakschamber.com

Paul is a Director at Wealden properties (Sevenoaks) Limited, a local property firm that owns and manages circa 90 commercial and residential units in Bat & Ball and Riverhead. He joined in 2018 following a 30+ year career in finance and banking.

Wealden is a family-owned business that has been trading since 1958 and as such has a long-standing history with Sevenoaks.

Paul says ‘I joined the Chamber in 2018 when starting with Wealden and have enjoyed my time, making a number of worthwhile contacts with both tenants and professional business partners. During 2020 I have sought to work closely with all our tenants, offering support and advice on financial assistance available from Government and banks.

Paul says, ‘I am delighted to be joining the Board of Directors at the Chamber at a time when networking and helping each other will be as important as it has ever been’.

 

Kathryn has worked at a senior management level in advertising, publishing and creative services before joining the Chamber team in January 2017. She is responsible for all membership administration, back-end admin, event organisation, book-keeping and marketing.

Email: kathryn@sevenoakschamber.com

Sharon is head of Corporate and Social Responsibility at FM Conway but her experience in the organisation is vast where she has worked in a variety of roles over the past 30 years.

Sharon manages the London Construction Academy for the Worshipful Company of Paviors.  She has also chaired the people and skills working group for the Highways Term Maintenance Association that involved working with other businesses to discuss and formulate solutions for attracting talent to our industry and recruiting apprentices.

Sharon was also the director of a local sports club for a number of years running their “200 club” and raising funds by organising burns night suppers, sports days etc.

The varied experience and knowledge of Corporate and Social Responsibility Sharon brings with her, will provide a valuable asset for the Chamber board.

Sharon can be contacted on 01732 660700 and can be emailed on sharon.field@fmconway.co.uk

Andrew is Senior Partner Thackray Williams LLP Solicitors who have been supporters of the Chamber for many years operating out of their Bromley office, but are now fully embedded in the Sevenoaks community with their new office in Pembroke Road where Andrew is based.

Andrew is a member of the Litigation team specialising in residential Landlord and Tenant property disputes including professional negligence claims arising out of property transactions.  Andrew also specialises in litigation arising out of Leasehold Enfranchisement transactions and is experienced in Right to Manage applications.  He also acts as an advocate in the County Court and the First Tier Tribunal.

Andrews’s previous experience as President of Bromley and District Law Society, member of the Institute of Arbitrators, Director and board member of Law South Group and Governor at Farringtons School provides valuable experience for Andrew to share with the Chamber.

Andrew can be contacted on 01732 496496 or by email at AndrewS.Raby@thackraywilliams.com

I have been part of the Chamber since 2018 when I started at the charity. I started networking for the Hospice at the same time, the chamber has worked really well for the charity in supporting us and allowing me to spread the word about our work .

I have met some really good connections and friends at the Chamber and also have been able to improve my networking skills. I first  started working for the charity on a part time basis and then after a year and half I was promoted to Fundraising Executive on a full time basis.

I was delighted to join the Chamber Board, it’s a great opportunity to help the Chamber grow and develop. I myself will be glad to help introduce new members and work with existing members and share my networking knowledge as well as my knowledge or running my own business.

Before I started at the charity I was a dental technician with my own dental lab for over 20 years, so I have experience of running and building my own business.

My hobbies include running and spinning and upcycling old things.

Following an insightful early career as an independent IT contractor in the city, I decided to expand by forming my tech company CHS Networks Ltd. in 2002, and we have been successfully trading in and around the Sevenoaks area ever since.

When I first started my business, the local chamber was seen as a place for new businesses to go, and as a direct result of my early attendance, I hold the accolade of being one of the oldest serving members of the chamber. It is fair to say that the chamber was unrecognisable then to what it has become today, which is a testament to all the hard work that has been put in over the years.

I look forward to assisting and working with the team to build on the current success and continue to establish the chamber as a go-to resource, not only for start-ups but also for small and established businesses.

When not working or with my wife and my three daughters, I thoroughly enjoy mountain biking and offroad enduro motorbiking.

Astra Birch is as Mortgage & Equity Release Adviser and runs SN Financial Services Ltd in Holly Bush Lane. Astra has lived in Sevenoaks & the surrounding area for 6 years, with Husband Joe & Cat Bonsai, and is excited about being involved in the local business community. Her office in Sevenoaks is made up of all under 30’s and SN Financial are passionate as a company about injecting youth into an otherwise aging industry – Next Gen provides the perfect platform for their team!

email: astra@snfinancial.co.uk