Established over 30 years ago, Knowsley Chamber provides proactive business support, advice and guidance on a huge range of issues. The Chamber’s strength is its ability and capability to deliver services to help businesses to start, grow and succeed.
Lesley Martin-Wright, Chief Executive
Born in the North East of England, following her studies Lesley went to work in Singapore before moving to London to work for Grand Metropolitan and Glaxo. In 1989, the family moved to Merseyside, and Lesley worked for several local businesses before starting her own consultancy company. Headhunted by a Liverpool law firm, Lesley then spent 10 years as Head of Marketing & Business Development, before joining Knowsley Chamber of Commerce as the CEO in 2011. Lesley is an advocate for Chambers of Commerce – they are the glue that help to forge strong and important business support networks, and are able to conduct advocacy on behalf of the business community so that the private sector voice is heard. In 2015, Lesley was appointed Head of Business Growth & Inward Investment at Knowsley Council; this unique role within the Liverpool City Region brings together a public and private sector partnership and a single front door for all types of business support in Knowsley. Lesley has served as a school governor for Merchant Taylors’ Schools, and was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Merseyside in April 2014. In 2017 Lesley was commissioned as Honorary Colonel of 156 Royal Logistic Corps, she is also a Trustee of the PH Holt Foundation, and the Knowsley Foundation. Lesley served as High Sheriff of Merseyside from April 2022 to April 2023. Contact: lesley.martin-wright@knowsleychamber.org.uk Lorna Marshall, Business Development Manager Lorna has been working with Knowsley Chamber of Commerce for the past 5 years. She promotes health and wellbeing to Knowsley businesses under the Working Well programme working closely with Knowsley Public Health. She has had experience in a range of wellbeing voluntary roles since finishing University in 2014, including supporting Creative Alternatives with art classes for people with anxiety and depression. She became a Business Relationship Manager in 2018 and has found the networking, building rapport with local workplaces and being able to support businesses with their wellbeing strategies as the highlights of her role. Lorna has a degree in Ancient History and Archaeology from the University of Reading and still enjoys visiting heritage sites. She enjoys walking, the theatre, yoga and spending time with her new kitten, Juno. E: lorna.marshall@knowsleychamber.org.uk T: 0151 477 8602 Cheryl Smeatham, Working Well Co-Ordinator. Cheryl joined Knowsley Chamber of Commerce as the Working Well Co-Ordinator in September 2022 and is currently building a great rapport with local businesses in Knowsley; supporting them with their health and wellbeing and completion of the working well grant applications. Cheryl is actively recruiting Workplace Champions from businesses within the Knowsley area in addition to organising wellbeing events and training for them to attend.
She has considerable customer service experience working alongside vulnerable people in a wide variety of roles, most recently as team leader of two Covid 19 testing sites. Her hobbies include baking, attending 1940 events – for which she is learning to dance (although her husband has two left feet!!), and looking after her two Scotties, Monty and Mac. E: cheryl.smeatham@knowsleychamber.org.uk T: 0151 477 1361 Olivia McGuinness, Business Relationship Officer. Olivia joined the team in Summer 2023 and has a range of experience working in Business Development, Communications and Marketing. Focusing on building strong relationships with businesses daily, Olivia is also working on the Youth Chamber which will develop the skills of younger people in the Knowsley area in order to make the gap from education to employment smoother. Olivia has a degree in Business Management and really enjoys the networking element of her role. During her spare time Olivia enjoys hot gym sessions, weekly pilates and walking her miniature daschund Rex. E: olivia.mcguinness@knowsleychamber.org.uk T: 07385498993