‘Question Time' in Surrey was hugely successful with the panel: Mark Pearson, CEO Surrey Connects – Mike Cherry, FSB National Policy Chairman – Kevin Hurley, Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner – Simon Dixon, CEO Bank to the Future. Chaired by Antonio Falco, FSB National Councillor.
Photos: Richard's Gallery©
Meet your Surrey & NE Hants Policy Team
Chairman - Antonio Falco
Antonio is a sales & business consultant and has been an FSB member for over 7 years.
As well as Policy Chairman Antonio also sits on the Regional Committee as Vice Chairman.
Antonio says "It is a privilege to be able to sit as chairman of the policy team; we are very focused on ensuring that we represent our members on the issues that are affecting their businesses and we will do as much as we are able to. We are also keen to delivery events that will inform and allow members to express their views and this year we will be hosting the very first Policy Conference in November. I look forward to meeting and listening to members issues over the coming months"
Secretary - Pauline Hedges
Pauline has a background in banking, PR and the charity world.
She was the first female bank manager in London for the TSB, was seconded to ChildLine as the Deputy Director for a year when it started and then moved to the British Banker's Association for 7 years as Press & Information Officer. Whilst there she took part in over 700 radio and television interviews both nationally and internationally defending the banks where possible (and meeting Stephen Alambritis from the FSB on many occasions!).
She then ran the British Lung Foundation South east office for 3 years fundraising and supporting people with chronic lung disease. She moved to Surrey Chambers of Commerce as North Surrey area manager and Head of Policy & Representation for 10 years until being made redundant in December 2010.
Pauline now runs her own company, Easily England, arranging be-spoke tours of some of the south east's hidden treasures for groups of overseas visitors. She is very involved with Rotary and is a Lady Freemason in her spare time.
Committee Member - Sean Bissett-Powell
Sean has a thoroughly diverse background, encompassing E-Commerce, logistics, accountancy, compliance, change management, and general business administration. He spent over 20 years in the courier industry, filling a wide variety of roles including controller, branch manager, head of accounts at one of Surrey's largest independent courier companies, and even a stint as a motorcycle courier ! He then moved on to work for a large financial services company in compliance and change management before setting up his own E-Commerce business.
He owns SnM Stuff, a B2C business in the niche market of modelling and gaming supplies. For several years, the business was purely online, but has very recently expanded into the retail sphere by opening a shop in Farnborough, Hants.
Sean's primary interests (or, as some would say, "hobby horses") on the policy team are focused on support for micro-enterprises, Royal Mail and other postal/logistical services, and the impact of domestic and EU legislation, regulation and taxation on E-Commerce and micro-enterprises.
Committee Member - Mike Saunders
Mike Sanders has helmed his own electronic consultancy MK Data Services, since 1992, and his own media production company Create Media Partners Ltd. since 1999.
He is a trained editor and cameraman, and has a wide knowledge of digital production and post-production technology, image capture, transmission technology, and IT systems. He has been involved with projects for Warner Home Entertainment, FOX TV, GMTV, Vodafone, IBM, Southern Arts, Rotary International and many more. Most of his output now is directed to company, local authority and NGO websites via on line video players.
He is very involved with Community Volunteering through Rotary (including filming a $500,000 project in southern Brazil), and is the area membership chairman for the next 3 years, having already served as Marketing PR & Communications for 3 years previously as well as in the role of conference stage management.
‘Question Time' in Surrey was hugely successful with the panel: Mark Pearson, CEO Surrey Connects – Mike Cherry, FSB National Policy Chairman – Kevin Hurley, Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner – Simon Dixon, CEO Bank to the Future. Chaired by Antonio Falco, FSB National Councillor. To see the photographs Please click this link to access this gallery:
http://www.richardsgallery.co.uk/-/galleries/fsb-question-time-2013
His work and hobbies have commonality with a keen interest in Ham Radio and Television through his OFCOM radio license G8LES, not only on the air but also building the technical equipment and antennas needed to make transmissions up to the higher microwave bands.He is also chairman of Surrey Border Movie Makers in Farnham with around 60 members to which he offers professional advice and training, and he uses the films they produce to entertain viewers of the Amateur Television transmissions he makes.
Committee Member - Gerry Brierley MA Dip.M FCIM
Gerry has spent an eclectic career spanning 28 years in industry. Her past 10 years have been spent working as a sales and marketing consultant combined with building a start-up software business specialising in a suite of online tools for the SME. This won her 5 industry awards including a DTI SMART award grant for development and Specially Recognised British Female Inventor and Innovator 2005. Gerry stood as an independent MEP candidate for the South East with the Jury Team and Sir Paul Judge in the 2009 European Elections.
Her experience in legal matters relating to business has involved an industrial tribunal win against 3i, a landmark victory against Companies House in relation to late returns and a protracted case with the successful receipt of Research and Development tax credits from the Inland Revenue. She also has experience in Intellectual Property protection.
Gerry is currently in her final year of a PhD at Cardiff Metropolitan University specialising in the relevance of the misleading marketing regulations in relation to the micro business and subconscious marketing influences. She currently holds a postgraduate diploma in marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing, where she is a Fellow member and a Master's Degree in Strategic Marketing from Lincolnshire and Humberside University.
In 2002 Gerry was appointed a Freeman of the City of London and Liveryman with the Worshipful Company of Marketors. Latterly, she has become a Freeman with the Guild of Air Pilots and Navigators and is a member of the London Ward of Aldgate. She has been an invited speaker at many small business events. Her invited TV appearances include BBC Eggheads and Beat the Boss.
In her spare time, Gerry enjoys flying light aircraft and the occasional flying boat, Neolithic archaeology, stone tools of ancient man, neuromarketing, wildlife conservation and walking her dog Bluebell.