Helene Hall Appointed as New CEO of Surrey Chambers of Commerce
Surrey Chambers of Commerce has embarked on an exciting new chapter with the appointment of Helene Hall as its Chief Executive Officer. Hall brings a fresh perspective focused on business growth, innovation, and founder support, aiming to elevate the chamber's impact across the region.
A Diverse Commercial Background
Helene Hall joins the Chambers with an extensive commercial background spanning multiple industries, including marketing and advertising, pharmaceuticals, travel, agencies, and ecommerce. She previously managed a London-based digital marketing agency, collaborating with prominent brands such as Expedia, VisitBritain, MADE.com, and the Daily Mail. Following this, she launched her own adtech start-up and successfully secured angel investment, demonstrating her entrepreneurial acumen.
Since then, Hall has dedicated her efforts to supporting founders in starting, launching, raising investment, and scaling their businesses. Her strengths lie in combining strategic thinking with a strong emphasis on data and detail, skills she plans to leverage in her new role.
Deep Local Roots and Vision
Having lived in Surrey since childhood, Helene Hall was particularly drawn to the opportunity to support businesses in the community she has always called home. She is passionate about data, artificial intelligence, marketing, and growth, and sees significant potential in helping local businesses feel more connected, better supported, and more visible.
As CEO, Hall intends to create a stronger digital feedback and support journey, complementing in-person events and training. Her vision includes building a richer business ecosystem that brings together next-generation leaders, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), global businesses, investors, and experienced mentors. This initiative aims to open up opportunities that are often hard to access and redefine what business support means in Surrey.
Upcoming Events and Initiatives
In partnership with NatWest and Woking Chamber of Commerce, Surrey Chambers of Commerce is hosting an exclusive economic briefing titled State of the Nation on May 7 at Nova Cinema. The event features Marcus Wright, a member of the NatWest Economics team, who will provide insights into economic forces shaping UK performance, including monetary policy, housing, and labour markets. Attendees can gain actionable insights for strategic planning and valuable networking opportunities.
Additionally, the Networking with Neighbours event returns in collaboration with Hampshire Chamber of Commerce at Farnborough Airport. This dynamic 'Business Bites' session offers structured speed networking and guest speakers, fostering connections among organisations of all sizes and sectors from Surrey and Hampshire.
AI Adoption Among SMEs
Recent findings from the British Chambers of Commerce's 'Future of Work: AI in the Workplace' Report, created with Atos, reveal that half of SMEs are actively using artificial intelligence. The report highlights the positive impact of AI on productivity, helping businesses work smarter, improve decision-making, and free up staff for high-value tasks. However, adoption varies across sectors, with smaller firms, consumer-facing, and manufacturing industries lagging behind.
Surrey Chambers of Commerce encourages members to share their views on AI and other policy matters by contacting Oliver.Porter@surrey-chambers.co.uk. The chamber remains committed to supporting local businesses through various channels, including phone at 01483 735540, email at info@surrey-chambers.co.uk, and online platforms.
