Law firm partner appointed as chamber president

A law firm partner has been appointed as the new president of Solihull Chamber of Commerce.

Emma-Louise Hewitt is head of the employment law department at Sydney Mitchell.

A member of the Solihull Chamber for 15 years, she is ranked as a next-generation partner in the Legal 500 directory.

She provides legal services to employees and employers across sectors including automotive, professional services and hospitality.

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Ms Hewitt advises on a vast range of legal areas including contracts, handbooks and policies, tribunal claims, workplace discrimination, reorganisation and redundancy procedures.

She also delivers workplace training and day-to-day legal and HR advice to business owners and managers.

She said: "I am extremely honoured to be taking on the role of president of the Solihull Chamber of Commerce for the next two years.

"I am especially looking forward to working alongside Samantha Frampton, head of Solihull Chamber, as we continue to strive to create an environment that fosters growth, innovation and collaboration among our members."

Kim Hulse, founder of K Hulse Consulting, will join current vice-presidents Kevin Johns and Rebecca Gater as a new vice-president.

New members have also been appointed to the chamber's executive council.

They are Education Awards founder Jas Rohel, Run Your Fleet's chief executive Steve Whitmarsh, St Basils fundraiser Pauline Clarke, Plum Executive founder Susie Ankrett and Wilkes Partnership partner Amanda Holden.

Joining them are Original Entertainment Company managing director Ian Rogers, Touchwood shopping centre manager Tony Elvin, Recruitment Duo director Louise Dunn and Headpoint Advisors founder Mark Wilson.

The chamber's outgoing president Eileen Schofield, principal of Schofield and Associates solicitors, will remain on the executive council as a co-opted member for a further year.

She will be joined by Colebridge Trust consultant Rebecca Fox, Hubtel IT owner Neil Bayliss and Sport 4 Life UK director Rob Wells.

Samantha Frampton, head of Solihull Chamber of Commerce, said: "The Solihull Chamber annual meeting was an opportunity to look back over the last 12 months and share what we have achieved with our members, from hosting 653 attendees across 17 events, to entertaining over 300 guests at the Solihull Chamber Annual Dinner and Awards 2024.

"It was also an opportunity for me to express my thanks to Eileen Schofield who has completed her two-year term as Solihull Chamber president for her passion, time and commitment and to welcome our new president Emma-Louise Hewitt."

The new charity of the year for 2025/26 is Solihull Hospital Charity.

Fundraising officer Jonathan Burch said: "I'm so incredibly thankful to everyone involved with the Solihull Chamber of Commerce for choosing us to be their charity of the year for 2025/2026.

"Being charity of the year will make an amazing difference to our fundraising and awareness levels and help raise funds for the amazing projects we have at Solihull Hospital.