Sherren McCabe-Finlayson - Chair
Is a graduate Graphic Designer and a partner in Platform One Creative Agency, which was established in 1969. Our offices are in the heart of Monmouth. The practice provides local and national companies with the full-range of off-line design services, from branding to exhibition and display. For the past 8 years, Platform One has undertaken a number of Interpretation projects, most recently the Poppy Trail which starts at Monmouth Castle.
Sherren has always had a keen interest in Town activities since the age of 13! She and her business partner David are quite the double-act and over the years have both been involved with Off Centre Theatre, Monmouth Festival committee, Monmouth Carnival committee and MDCTC. They have advised Young Enterprise groups and encouraged work experience pupils.
David Evans - Secretary
Founder partner in creative design studio Platform One he celebrated 50 years in business in 2019.
Prior to graduation, David was President of the Student Union and was the first student representative on the Welsh Arts Council - a position he continued to hold for 18 months after leaving college. He was also selected to work on a team with Letraset UK to organise a nationwide student competition, as a result of which he was invited to become the Company’s PRO but chose to start his own business straight from college. Platform One has been involved with graphic design projects throughout the UK, France and Abu Dhabi.
In addition to having an unbroken career with Platform One, he has also been a director in an exhibition contracting company and developed an excellent understanding of the practical criteria for stand design and building in the UK and Europe. He has consistently managed turnkey projects. David has been involved with many town projects including: Chairman of Monmouth Festival for 9 years, Chairman of Monmouth Carnival for 10 years and Chairman of Monmouth Chamber of Commerce for 2 years.
David Tovey - Committee Member
Proprietor at 'MonTeas of Monmouth': a Purveyor of Fine Loose Leaf Teas and Tea Paraphernalia ( website: monteas.co.uk ). I reached 60 in May, 2018, and with 6 years operating MonTeas it is the result of determination to run my own business and focus many years experience starting in the world of Accountancy, moving into industry and side-stepping to business systems analysis, project management, computer programming with computer systems procurement and implementation. Tough times always face businesses large or small and some fall by the wayside without recognising the benefits of strategic management or heading off problems before they occur. A distinguished degree in Business Management is not obligatory to be the head of a commercial enterprise but it certainly helps and I am pleased that I have mine. Starting a small business requires access to many different skills and the more one has the less outside sourcing and costs are necessary. My varied experience, however, has not full-proofed the business to immunity from Real World problems, these have come along regardless but Monmouth Chamber has been immensely supportive along the way.
Cerys Watts - Minutes Secretary
Cerys runs the Office Philosopher delivering cost-effective office support. She has almost 30 years experience working across a diverse range of businesses from sole-traders to small to medium enterprises.
Highly skilled administrator and bookkeeper with extensive expertise in client-facing environments and working with confidential information.
A practical, hands-on person with strong communication and
people skills and proven ability to step into organisations and quickly develop
effective communication channels with all level of staff and external agencies
Cerys is extremely organised, able to prioritise and work on my own initiative;
self-motivated, trustworthy and used to working in a highly professional manner
Since moving to the area Cerys has been involved with many Town activities. Notably as secretary to Monmouth Festival for a number of years and has recently become Show Secretary to Monmouthshire Show
Mark Lindley - Committee member
Mark works with business owners who wish to achieve
resilience in their business, change their business structure or commercialise
new products, in order to achieve or sustain business growth.
In a world where every business must work within compliance or assurance
schemes, Mark can prepare policies or full assessments and everything in
between.
Projects include; Business development and fundraising for a web based solution
provider, marketing strategy for a conference centre, interim business
development manager for an electronics company, brokering business
partnerships, expansion of a design agency to a full service agency,
international trade partnerships, development of a complimentary niche market
for a software developer.
Specialties:
Business development, sales and marketing, and brand building. Online marketing
and digital marketing technologies. Strategic and operational business
management. Investment readiness. Equity finance and grant funding.
Business resilience, cyber security, data protection and compliance
certifications.
