Meet the Team
Sherie Griffiths – Founder & Director, Savvy Business Ltd
Suite 14 Communications House, 9 St John's Street, Colchester CO2 7NN
Tel (DI): +44 (0) 1268 287811
Email: sherie@savvybc.com
Sherie began her professional life in the law. She spent her twenties training as a Legal Executive whilst working her way up from junior typist to Head of Department - and the first half of her thirties at university, getting a law degree. The plan was to follow that with the LPC (Legal Practice Course) and a training contract, in order to qualify as a Solicitor; but when she graduated, at thirty-five, she honestly couldn't face another year at uni – or starting all over again at the bottom of someone else's firm. So instead, she decided to go it alone. She'd harboured dreams of being her own boss – doing things her own way – since she was nineteen and in 2003, it seemed to her there would never be a better time to do it. She set up Griffiths Legal Consultants in 2004 – which became Griffiths Legal Ltd in 2006. In the process of developing Griffiths Legal as a commercial law practice, she had the chance to hone her skills as an author, trainer, presenter (at conferences etc) and beginning in the summer of 2006, a podcaster. Throughout her legal career, she always enjoyed the creative parts of the job much more than the procedural and In 2007, prompted by a family bereavement, she decided it was time to focus all her energies in that direction. So Savvy Business was born.
In her "other life - it's important to have one of those", she's in the process of setting up a children's charity, with the aims of providing opportunities for kids to:
- discover and fulfil their potential through creativity and
- learn about each other from each other
"One of the proudest moments of my life to date came recently," she says, "when I saw a book I wrote with twenty-six seven-year-old co-authors and illustrators in print for the first time." You can find out more at - fredsfriends.wordpress.com
Rob Jones – Chairman, USP Content – Studio Production
24 Newman Street, London W1T 1AW
Tel.: +44 (0) 20 7927 6600
Http://www.uspcontent.com
(The site is currently being rebuilt so, for the time being, this link takes you to their "showcase").
USP was founded in 1990, by Rob Jones, upon his sixteen years' experience in radio and television presentation, production and management – a journey which took him from Liverpool to London via Luxembourg and from would-be actor to radio presenter via … accountancy …?! In his launch presentation, Rob took us through some of the highs – and lows – of this "strange little career", including some"terrible!" early tv appearances, the joys (or otherwise) of working for "Sky Channel", breakfast with Branson and offering careers advice to a young Chris Evans –proof positive that he shouldn't give up the day job – Rob, that is, not Chris!
When Sherie introduced him at our launch, she explained briefly how USP Content got involved in the Community – it's far from your usual networking story …
USP's clients now include major broadcasters and big brands (if they're good enough for the BBC, they're probably good enough for us …).
One job has never been enough for Rob. He combined working for Sky and Virgin with presenting at 210 (now Two-Ten) in Reading and for the last several years he has chaired his local Football club, Binfield FC – www.binfieldfc.com
The team at USP is now substantial, but if you're ever involved in a programme, you're most likely to meet:
Meryck Hurley
If you come in for an interview, it will generally be Meryck who gets you settled in the studio. She once had to look after a contributor who pitched up for his interview about three hours early!
Phil Evans – our regular studio producer
Phil quite often gives Sherie grief – especially, she says,"if I forget to turn my mobile off and it rings while I'm interviewing!"
Jason Courtney
When Phil skives off – sorry, takes a holiday – we generally work with Jason – who, Sherie says, "had the unenviable task of guiding me through my first couple of sessions – and still seems happy to work with me!"
One note of caution: we occasionally record in the green room.If you join us for one of those sessions, can we ask you, please, not to fall asleep on the sofa with your feet up on the coffee table (tempting as it may be) and not to be lured by the Doctor Who pinball machine? I wouldn't like to try explaining the presence of darleks in the middle of a business programme and it might not be very easy to edit them out. Thanks.
Direct Marketing Services – Membership Marketing
Direct Marketing Services was Sue Ellen's response to working in a call centre in the mid-nineties – she knew she could do better – and she proved it. She's very keen to point out that "What I do isn't telesales – it's telemarketing". Her focus when she contacts anyone, isn't to sell but to raise awareness of her client's product or service and lay foundations for a long-term relationship.
At the Savvy launch, Sue was introduced by Rob, who described her as "A lady who lunches" – and got away with it! In her presentation, we found out there's a lot more to Sue's career than meets the eye, including a mobile greengrocery and a spell as an Estate Agent – but please don't hold that against her!
If you're already a Panellist, chances are Sue was your first point of contact – and if you become either a professional or a commercial member in the future, you're highly likely to talk to her at some point.
Paul Smalley - Paper Mountain Solutions – Front and Back Office
Suite 14 Communications House, 9 St John's Street, Colchester CO2 7NN
Tel: +44 (0) 1206 713 660
www.papermountainsolutions.co.uk
Paper Mountain was established in 2004 by Paul and Joy Smalley, drawing on their combined wealth of corporate experience. As well as under-writing for a variety of sectors in the credit insurance market in London, Paul had previously managed companies on behalf of Blue Chip beneficial owners in the offshore captive insurance market and Joy had been involved in managing a number of projects within the wealth management division of a large retail UK bank both offshore and in London. "The idea behind Paper Mountain" says Paul, "is to utilise large corporate thinking and strategy for the benefit of SMEs."
When Sue introduced Paul at our launch, she described Paper Mountain as Savvy's "engine room". In his presentation, Paul revealed that he and Joy both started out as science graduates but, realizing they'd never be happy cooped up in a lab, moved into the corporate world. Joy ran a succession of business ideas past Paul, which he rejected – until she finally came up with the Paper Mountain concept and they became entreprenneurs. They now run a successful company, committed to supporting other companies to achieve success.
If you become a professional member of the Community, you're likely to see Paul's signature on your contract.
Both Paul and Joy are keen sailors and Paul used to run regularly. Well, he still runs – although these days it's usually around the house and garden, after daughter Lauren (born May 2007). With son, Joel, arriving in April 2009, it doesn't look as though Paul or Joy will get to slow down any time soon!
Alongside Paul and Joy, the Paper Mountain team includes:
Debbie Chivers
If you send an email to or receive one from our main address, it's most likely to be Debbie at the other end. She is also your first port of call if you phone us with a query. As lead administrator for Savvy, Debbie and Sherie work very closely together and she is essential to the smooth day-to-day running of the company and the Community.
Selina Edwards
If it isn't Debbie at the end of the email or phone, it's probably Selina. Like Debbie, She has been involved with Savvy since before the company existed and is very much part of the business.
Anne-Marie Grant
Anne-Marie looks after the accounts. So if you have a payment query, she will do her utmost to resolve it for you. She is also our blood hound when it comes to chasing down late payments!
Royston Simpson Creative – Website Development & Design
16 Church Street, Bishop's Stortford, Herts, CM23 2LY
Tel: 01279 755 555
www.roystonsimpson.co.uk
Royston Simpson Creative is a marketing and design agency based in Hertfordshire. Founded by the late Mr Royston Simpson in the mid-seventies, the company has changed and developed along with its industry, moving from its routes in typography and graphic art to offering full web and online design and marketing support.
Royston Simpson now employs 10 full time staff with creative skills in design, photography, illustration and online media.
At the Savvy launch, Simpsons was represented byBusiness Development Manager, Ben Jones (introduced by Paul). Ben coordinated our website redevelopment so was the best person to explain the project and give everyone a guided tour of the results. In the run-up to the launch, we also discovered that Ben has a wealth of international presentation experience – and a real gift for pulling other people's presentations together at VERY SHORT NOTICE!
Merlin?!
There's one member of the core team who didn't present at the launch –Sherie's third guide dog.After unpredictable beginnings, he has proved himself invaluable to the company, as well as to his owner personally. Alongside his guiding duties (which these days he carries out with professionalism and style – most of the time), he's a natural networker. Regular business networkers are always looking for something to make them stand out – and Merlin certainly does that! "People might not always remember meeting me," Sherie admits, "but I guarantee they always remember the dog!" Ok, so live presentations can be interesting – he thinks any applause is for him – but on the whole, having him around helps Sherie stand out – for all the right reasons. He has also learnt to be a good studio dog – although he sometimes forgets not to stand up and shake, or stick his head in the bin during a recording – and we won't talk about the water cooler … He hasn't yet contributed directly to an interview – but never say never…
+44 (0)844 371 2941