ROYAL SUTTON COLDFIELD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Looking forward to the next 12 months
WELCOME TO THE ROYAL SUTTON COLDFIELD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Royal Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce has experienced remarkable growth in our first decade, with more than 100 members and growing attendances at events.
The Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield is a vibrant and diverse business hub, attracting young talent and becoming one of the most desirable places to work and live.
We provide excellent networking opportunities and work closely with the Town Council to ensure that your business interests are heard and prioritised.
As the leading organisation for business, Royal Sutton Coldfield Chamber of commerce is here to connect, support and grow businesses of all sectors. We’re here to help you thrive. Join us today to achieve great things for your business!
STATISTICS
The Royal Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce has 103 members
Over 2,089 subscribers receive our weekly newsletter
Over 200 delegates attended Royal Sutton Coldfield, Lichfield & Tamworth and Cannock Chase Awards in February 2026
1,291 delegates registered to attend events in Royal Sutton Coldfield in the last 12 months
PRESIDENT WELCOME
GARY PHELPS PRESIDENT, ROYAL SUTTON COLDFIELD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
I’m delighted to welcome you to the AGM of the Royal Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce: an opportunity for members and non-members alike to reflect on the past year and look ahead to our plans for the future.
Your Chamber is a vibrant, not-for-profit network of local business owners, traders and professionals, working together to promote, protect and support businesses across the Royal Town. We provide members with valuable networking opportunities, access to practical advice and services, and a strong voice on the issues that matter locally, regionally and nationally.
As a proud Suttonian, it’s a real honour to serve as President of the Royal Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce, and I have enjoyed the past year immensely.
As a businessman, I am always encouraged to see local firms coming together under the Chamber banner to share ideas, raise concerns, celebrate best practice and support the Royal Town’s economy.
And, as a journalist, I am pleased to say that our Chamber has a compelling story to tell Over the last 12 months, that story has been one of real momentum.
We have brought businesses together through fantastic events in memorable settings, from glittering awards and practical workshops to a popular ‘LinkedIn in the Wild’ event in the grounds of historic Moor Hall and an eye-opening AI presentation at the Royal Cinema.
We have also relaunched our awards in partnership with fellow chambers across the region, with branding created by our own vice-president, Kate Curry, of Cudos Creative
And we have been proud to support our chosen charity of the last two years, the much-loved Cancer Support Centre in Sutton Coldfield.
So, what comes next? There is so much to look forward to in Sutton.
Plans are taking shape to reshape our town centre, with input from the Chamber, while our local high streets in Wylde Green, Mere Green, Boldmere and Walmley continue to flourish The Pride in Place programme, which will distribute £20 million here over the next decade, is now entering its delivery stage, and we are beginning the countdown to Sutton’s 500th birthday in 2028.
The Chamber will continue to play an active role in all of this. We have more excellent events lined up for members, including our newly formatted awards, and we are delighted to announce a new chosen charity today.
The result? The Royal Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce is the fastest-growing division in Greater Birmingham, as Sutton businesses continue to come together to support one another. I would like to thank our Executive Committee and divisional officers for their contribution to that success, and all of our members for the energy, commitment and support they bring to the Chamber.
If you are here today as a non-member, I warmly encourage you to join us and become part of a network helping to shape the future of Sutton Coldfield for the benefit of all Now that is a story worth telling.
OUTGOING CHARITY OF THE YEAR
2024-2026
THE CANCER SUPPORT CENTRE
"Being the Royal Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce's Chosen Charity has made a tremendous difference to the Cancer Support Centre. The Chamber has consistently championed our work, providing opportunities to raise awareness through networking events, hosting committee meetings and welcoming us to showcase our services. We are incredibly grateful for the fundraising support from two SLTC dinners, Naeem Arif's fantastic annual charity cricket match at Sutton Coldfield Cricket Club, and Karl Rowntree and the team at Rotospa, who made us their Charity of the Year and pushed a hot tub around the Sutton Fun Run course. Their collective support has helped us reach more local people affected by cancer."
Raised: Year 1: £6,176 Year 2: £5,695.26
TOTAL RAISED: £11,871.26
2026-2028
Acacia Family Support is a Birmingham based charity supporting mums, dads and families affected by pre and postnatal depression and anxiety. While becoming a parent is often expected to be one of life's happiest times, for many it can be a time of overwhelming anxiety, depression and isolation. Our mission is to ensure that no parent has to face these challenges alone. Every year, we support around 600 families through peer support, home visits, therapeutic group work, telephone support and practical help at home. By supporting parents, we're helping to change the future of entire families.
As we join the Chamber of Commerce, we're excited to build new relationships over the next two years through fundraising, sponsorship and partnership opportunities. We'd also like to thank the incredible organisations who have already stood alongside us, including Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust, Cudos Creative for choosing us as their Charity of the Year for the past three years, Meta4 Coaching for fundraising on our behalf by taking on the London Marathon, Print Monster for sponsoring our annual Santa Run, and MIH for partnering with us on our recent Mother's Day campaign.
Together, businesses can make a real difference to local families. We look forward to working with Chamber members to create lasting impact across Bi i h
To learn more about our work and recent partnerships, visit our website www.acacia.org.uk or contact kate@acacia.org.uk
MEET THE NEWLY ELECTED COMMITTEE
TINGA UMERA MBA
Tinga Umera MBA is the Managing Director of Nexus Care Services, an award-winning homecare and community healthcare provider supporting over 200 people across Sutton Coldfield, Tamworth and Lichfield. With extensive experience in finance, entrepreneurship, healthcare and social care leadership, he has successfully led business growth, workforce development, innovation and quality improvement, including securing CQC registration for Treatment of Disease, Disorder and Injury (TDDI). As a member of the Executive Committee, Tinga is committed to supporting local business growth, strengthening partnerships, sharing leadership expertise, championing workforce development and contributing to the continued success of Sutton Coldfield.
INDERPAUL DHILLON
I joined the Chamber in March and got stuck in straight away. Since then, I’ve met some brilliant people and been reminded that networking is not just about sales, it’s about good conversations, useful connections and the occasional decent sandwich.
As a committee member, I’ll bring a practical, commercial perspective and a healthy dose of realism. I’m looking forward to playing my part, meeting more local businesses and helping keep the Chamber relevant, useful and just the right side of enjoyable. Business is serious enough. The Chamber should be where people want to show up, not just feel they ought to!
NEIL KEARSLEY
I’m Neil Kearsley, founder of Endecay Professional Development. I started EPD to help leaders, teams and businesses realise their full potential following over two decades experience in leadership development with the Civil Service. Through coaching psychology, psychometrics, leadership development and diagnostic consultancy, I support sustainable personal and organisational growth. My approach combines practical development strategies with a strong commitment to ethical leadership, integrity, service and excellence. As a new business owner, I am delighted to be joining the Chamber committee and look forward to contributing my experience, enthusiasm and insights to support local businesses and strengthen our business community.
I’m also a keen boardgamer, musician, Christian and founder of Faith Works – a networking event for Christian businesses.
MEET THE DIVISIONAL COUNCIL
Gary Phelps
Mark Roberts
Karl Rowntree
SLTC AWARDS 2026
The Royal Sutton Coldifeld, Lichfield & Tamworth and Cannock Chase Awards 2026 welcomed over 200 businesses in attendance at Statfold Country Park to celebrate its 2026 awards in a special tenth anniversary edition of the awards.
Read about the Winners on the Official Press Release here View the Highlights Video here
Missed the SLTC Awards 2026?
Introducing the redesigned 2027 Awards!
We wanted a more effective way to celebrate the entire Greater Birmingham region and the businesses that make it, because Greater Birmingham means all of us.
Here's how the new Greater Birmingham Business Awards work.
We've redesigned the awards to celebrate business excellence at every level - from your regional contribution to your impact on the entire Greater Birmingham economy.
Your journey starts in your region.
Apply to your regional awards in Birmingham & Sutton Coldfield, Solihull, or Staffordshire Gateway. Independent judges will assess your entry, and regional winners are celebrated at local events.
Then, regional finalists progress automatically.
If you're shortlisted at the regional level, you're automatically entered for Greater Birmingham Chamber recognition.
No new application - just a short video entry showing your impact.
One application. A clear regional pathway. Two opportunities for recognition. The awards launch in September. Discover what's new here
•SupportfromaRelationshipManagerattheChamber
•DiscountonChamberservices
•24/7accesstoHR&Legalhelpline
•Membermarketplacepromotion
•Blogsubmission
•Useof‘proudmember’logo
•MemberDirectoryaccessandlisting
•Socialmediapromotion
•Monthlyprizedrawentry
•Chamberlinkmagazine
NOTYETAMEMBER?
Membershipstartsfromaslittleas£300+VATperyearandweo quarterlypaymentsatnoextracost(dependingonmembership Tojoin,pleaseemailnewbusinessgroup@birmingham-chamber.
THANK YOU
CHARLIE ELLIOTT HEAD OF ROYAL SUTTON COLDFIELD AND LICHFIELD & TAMWORTH CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE