The Team

Our team is a dynamic blend of local business leaders and dedicated professionals who know Dorking inside and out.

The Board of Directors

At the helm, our Board of Directors comprises up to 17 esteemed members, each offering a unique lens through which we can better serve the Dorking community. The board is meticulously structured to ensure a well-rounded representation:

● Retail Sector: 6 members, including the flexibility for service providers.
● Office-Based Businesses: 2 members.
● Night-Time Economy: 2 members.
● Leisure and Tourism: 2 members.
● Local Governance: 1 MVDC executive member, 1 Dorking North or South ward councillor.
● Community and Policing: 1 resident observer, 1 police observer, 1 MVDC officer observer.

Meet the board

I run my family Business S C Fullers on South Street Dorking which is the oldest family-owned Independent retailer having been established in 1892. I have worked here for 37 years and as a result, have great experience in responding to the ever-changing retail environment, tenacity is key! I have excellent negotiating and communication skills and work best as part of a team. I have been an integral part of the BID tender process as Chairman and so offer consistency as well as a clear vision for the BID in Dorking and its future.

Bullimores have offered to prepare the company management accounts. It is important to have a treasurer on the board and I believe that I am best placed to help with financial decisions.

I have run Mullins Coffee shop with my wife Susan since 2016.

It has been a privilege to operate our business in such a historic building and beautiful town. Since we took over Mullins we have worked effortlessly to promote the history of William Mullins as a Pilgrim Father and his Mayflower journey to the New World and Priscilla & John Alden story and her founded fame as Mother of a Nation. In 2019 on our visit to Plymouth & Duxbury I initiated talks for a likely twinning of our towns.

I have been a great abdicate of the BID, as I believe together as a business community we can achieve more to improve our town and attract more visitors.

I have a background in engineering and have a wide range of experience in retail & hospitality, which I feel has given me excellent skills in negotiation, communication, and decision making.

Luke Adam Hawker, who has been a full-time professional artist since 2015, specialises in pen and ink. His background in architecture, acquired through both his education and time as a designer, significantly informs his artistic practice and forms the foundation of his drafting ability.

Located just off Dorking’s high street in Surrey, Luke’s studio serves as a hub of creativity. Here Luke, opens his doors to the public, hosting Surrey Open Studios, private viewings, and weekly life drawing classes. In addition, he leads drawing workshops across Surrey and London, sharing his artistic passion and expertise while nurturing the talents of fellow creatives.

Luke, a Sunday Times Best Seller, has published two graphic novels. His artwork graces private and national collections such as the Parliamentary Art Collection in London, and he has collaborated with notable organisations such as The Crown Estate, Penhaligon’s, and the National Trust.

Economic Development Manager Observer

I am the owner of Deepdene at the eastern end of town and Theodore and Sephone’s Sweet Shop on Pump Corner. I bring a unique perspective as someone that operates both in hospitality and in retail.

I am keen to help develop Dorking’s evening economy so that we may become more competitive with other towns to the benefit of every business here in Dorking.

We have lost some major players from the town, not because of Covid but a failure to foster the right environment where these businesses can not only exist but thrive.

Dorking is full of potential but too often held back from reaching the heights we all know it can. I am keen to help promote the town and I am experienced in planning, organising and running events. I also have experience in bookkeeping and in the preparation of management and year-end accounts.

I consider myself a creative thinker and a problem solver with a broad skill set, capable of turning my hand to most things.

I look forward to working with the fantastic business minds of Dorking.

We are pleased to welcome Councillor Keay to the Board of Directors.

Amber is a Partner at Down’s Law. She deals with a range of Private Client work including Wills, administration of estates, Lasting Powers of Attorney and mental capacity work.

As well as making sure the right beneficiaries will inherit your estate, Amber will help you minimise your exposure to the capital taxes. She will also assist you with Powers of Attorney to make sure the right people will be able to take control of your assets should you be unable to do so yourself.

Amber is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).

Although I’m mainly known as a local accountant, over the last 30 years I’ve traded in Dorking with various businesses, including a Dorking based factory distributing automotive products to over 30 countries. I primarily represent office based levy payers but I believe the breadth of my background can add to the wealth of experience within the rest of the Board.

Jo Sherwood is the dedicated founder of Anni and Arthur’s Yard, a charming boutique nestled in Old Kings Head Courtyard. With a rich history as a small business owner, Jo’s journey brought her to Dorking. In the previous year, she took the reins of the shop, transforming it from Michele’s Dress Agency. Prior to this venture, Jo also owned the Dorking Solarium.

What truly drives Jo is her unwavering passion for the circularity and sustainability of women’s fashion. This has provided her with a platform to introduce innovative sustainable concepts, such as her collection of preloved prom dresses, womens fashion and rentals of hats.

Anni and Arthur’s Yard isn’t just a store; it’s a community effort. Every item in the shop has been contributed by the community, ensuring they find new homes while offering sellers 40% of the purchase price.

Situated in the heart of Dorking, Jo’s small business becomes a powerful voice advocating for others facing the everyday challenges of entrepreneurship. Her commitment to sustainable fashion and community engagement shines through in the vibrant character of Anni and Arthur’s Yard.

I have been in the hairdressing industry for 30 years.

I own an award-winning hair salon, Teresa Weller HairArt, on Dorking High Street. We have just won the best bridal hair salon in Surrey for a second year running (2019/2020) and have been the finalist for best salon and best team, also a runner up in the Surrey business awards for the best new startup 2019.

I have been on the High Street for two and a half years and lived in Dorking for five years.

I’ve also enjoyed being the Lead Stylist for Pride in London which has lead to many creative projects, managing teams of stylists for their main events for the LGBTQ community, and have worked on exciting projects in film, theatre, and the music industry. I have had a lot of my work published in magazines.

What I bring to the BID is that I’m a great communicator and team player, I have a passion for social media and a huge passion for our wonderful community, environment, and the people that live here in Dorking set in these beautiful Surrey Hills.

Nick has lived in Dorking for over 25 years, having moved here following many years living overseas, mainly in Canada and Norway. Nick and his wife Stephanie, a local artist and potter, raised three children here. He is now retired from a career as a professional geologist in the energy industry. He is a strong believer in the power of local and community networks to build organisations that can improve our town, having been involved in the Transition Town Movement, leading the establishment and running of the Dorking Community Orchard, and taking on the role of the Chair of the local-food project @Food Float’ following the death of his wife (one of the founders).

The BID Team

Beyond the board, we have a dedicated Business Improvement District (BID) Team working tirelessly to implement our vision. The roles include:

● BID Manager
● Community Manager
● Content Marketer and VA
● Technologist

Each member brings their expertise to focused projects that influence our work from raising our town’s profile, community building, filling vacant units, marketing, PR, digital transformation, security, sustainability, placemaking and creative campaigns.

Get Involved

If you’re passionate about Dorking’s future and believe you can contribute to the board’s objectives, we’d love to hear from you. Applications to join the board can be submitted via email to info@dorkingtownpartnership.co.uk.