Lichfield & Tamworth Lichfield & Tamworth Chamber Patrons


Contact: Marilyn Castree T: 0845 603 6650


Curtain rises on board members


The board of Lichfield and Tamworth Chamber has been strengthened by two new appointments. The new members are Julia Poppleton, who is head of the careers department at Stephen Sutton Academy Trust (formerly Chase Terrace Technology College (CTTC)), and Karen Foster, executive director of Lichfield Garrick theatre, a modern, purpose-built theatre in Lichfield, which is named after 18th Century actor David Garrick, who grew up in the city. The theatre opened in 2003. Karen Foster is a former acting head of performance for the Royal


College of Music in London, where she oversaw the international touring schedule of the Monteverdi Choir and Orchestra. She said: “I’m loving getting to know the business people of the city –


the theatre is based at the heart of the retail part of Lichfield and we know that we are a driving force in the night time economy, as well as a great place to hold business meetings during the day.” Julia Poppleton’s career has seen her involved in various management


roles in different sectors, including education and training and the voluntary sector. She has spent time in retail and customer services, as well as working with young offenders, long term unemployed adults and homeless young people. She said: “During my years at CTTC, my passion has been the driving


Theatrical trio: Marilyn Castree (centre) with Karen Foster (left) and Julia Poppleton


Corporate Games


are set to return Staffordshire businesses are being urged to sign up to next year’s ‘UK Corporate Games’. The games, which will return to Staffordshire


and Stoke-on-Trent next year, are aimed at businesses and their employees, and are expected to attract thousands of amateur athletes and boost the local economy to the tune of around £3m. The 2018 event was launched last month at Keele Hall, by England and Stoke goalkeeping legend Gordon Banks. Companies already signed up for 2018 include


Lloyds, Eversheds, Air Products, and Freeths – locally, those taking part include Staffordshire Police, Wade Ceramics and Knights1759. The games has been staged worldwide since


1988 and destinations have ranged from Moscow to Melbourne – but organisers believe that the 2015 event in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent was one of the best, and are now urging businesses of all sizes to join in during 2018. Mark Winnington, cabinet member for


economic growth at Staffordshire County Council, said: “The last games were a real success, giving thousands of business people the chance to visit and see the huge economic opportunities available in the area. “It’s great that we have so many prestigious


companies already signed up but we’re keen to see as many local companies getting involved.”


42 CHAMBERLINK November 2017


force behind the vast amounts of work going into employer engagement and addressing the ‘skills and employability gap’.I felt the Chamber board would provide a further platform of being able to really drive the skills agenda forward. With the support of the board members, I am confident we can have some outstanding impacts in our local area for schools and businesses.” Lichfield and Tamworth Chamber director Marilyn Castree said: “The


board covers all sectors of the community, and these new appointments will strengthen these areas of business.”


Reece’s career takes-off


When Reece Pipes was at school, his ambition was to become a dentist – that may have been a flight of fancy, but his actual career path certainly hasn’t been. That’s because 25-year-old Reece has ended


up pursuing a career as a drone engineer in Dubai – and the story of how he achieved that will hopefully inspire other youngsters. The reason that Reece was not able to


become a dentist was that although he achieved good grades at A-level, he wasn’t accepted by any of the universities. He said: “However, I decided to do an


electrical engineering degree at the University of Derby and follow a different career path. “One day, I was reading the local newspaper


and spotted an engineering business show advertised in Lichfield. I thought this may be an opportunity to meet some local engineering companies and ask for some work experience.” At the show, Reece was introduced to


Lichfield and Tamworth Chamber director Marilyn Castree, who was impressed by his ‘thinking outside the box’ approach and put him in touch with a Cannock-based engineering company. Reece said: “There I spent the summer working alongside engineers who taught me


High flying: Reece Pipes


many new skills. At my surprise, I was offered a part time position at the company as a robot technician, which I did alongside my university degree. Later that year I was put into contact with another engineering firm based in Lichfield, AIE UK, and was offered a part-time position as a development engineer. Later down the line, I was head-hunted by a recruitment agent in London, describing a very exciting opportunity to work in the Middle East, developing drones to help with firefighting.”


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