Supporting organisations and a sustainable rural economy

Surrey Hills Enterprises exists to help organisations thrive in a sustainable way. When local organisations do well while protecting the environment, the rural economy and the landscape they depend on are stronger.

Leith Hill Tower at sunrise above mist-filled Surrey Hills countryside

Leith Hill at sunrise — photo by John Miller Photography

Purpose

Our purpose and role

We are a membership organisation for businesses, charities, community interest companies and other organisations with an economic interest in the Surrey Hills.

Our work is practical: introductions, training, opportunities and shared marketing. We connect organisations with the customers, partners and expertise they need.

Relationship

Part of the Surrey Hills family

Surrey Hills Enterprises is part of the wider Surrey Hills family, working alongside Surrey Hills National Landscape, Surrey Hills Society and Surrey Hills Arts. Each organisation is separate, with its own role, and together we support the landscape, its communities and its economy.

The distinctive Surrey Hills seedpod sits at the heart of the Surrey Hills Enterprises logo, visibly connecting Surrey Hills Enterprises to the Surrey Hills National Landscape and the wider Surrey Hills family. The similarity between the identities is deliberate: it represents a genuine relationship.

Surrey Hills Enterprises roundel featuring the Surrey Hills seedpod

Visit Surrey Hills National Landscape

Proudly Surrey Hills

How organisations show their connection to the Surrey Hills

Proudly Surrey Hills is a visible sign that an organisation is part of the Surrey Hills Enterprises community and shares a commitment to supporting a thriving, sustainable Surrey Hills. It is not an award, accreditation or certification: organisations join Surrey Hills Enterprises, and the mark is the visible sign of that belonging.

Discover Proudly Surrey Hills

The Surrey Hills family

Four organisations, complementary roles

Separate organisations, one shared commitment to the Surrey Hills.

Surrey Hills National Landscape
Conserving and enhancing the nationally protected landscape
Visit Surrey Hills National Landscape(opens in a new tab)
Surrey Hills Enterprises
Supporting organisations and a thriving sustainable rural economy
Surrey Hills Enterprises home(opens in a new tab)
Surrey Hills Society
Connecting people with the landscape through conservation, access, volunteering and community activity
Visit Surrey Hills Society(opens in a new tab)
Surrey Hills Arts
Connecting people with the landscape through art and creative experiences
Visit Surrey Hills Arts(opens in a new tab)

Why it matters

A thriving landscape needs a thriving local economy

The Surrey Hills is a living and working landscape. Its future depends on strong communities, responsible organisations and a sustainable local economy as well as the conservation of its natural beauty.

That is where Surrey Hills Enterprises plays an important role.

By joining Surrey Hills Enterprises, organisations become part of a community with a shared interest in the Surrey Hills. Membership helps organisations build connections and opportunities for themselves, while contributing to our wider work to support a thriving, sustainable Surrey Hills economy.

It means that membership has a wider purpose: helping organisations thrive while supporting the place, communities and economy that make the Surrey Hills special.

How we work

Our values and operating principles

Practical
We focus on things that help organisations do their work, not on theory.
Collaborative
We make introductions, share credit and build on what others are already doing.
Inclusive
Businesses, charities and community organisations all belong in this network.
Rooted in place
Everything we do supports a strong, sustainable rural economy in the Surrey Hills.

Impact

Key impact figures

240+member organisations
30+events and activities each year
25,000+event visitors
10,000guides distributed

Our partners

Working with organisations that share our purpose

Surrey Hills Enterprises works with organisations that share our commitment to a thriving and sustainable Surrey Hills economy. Our partners provide funding, expertise, connections and practical support that help us strengthen our member community and increase our impact.

Corporate Partners

Our Corporate Partners are established organisations that invest in the work of Surrey Hills Enterprises and support the development of our member community and the wider Surrey Hills economy.

Founding Corporate Partner
Azets
Azets provides accountancy, tax, audit, payroll and business advisory services. Through its partnership with Surrey Hills Enterprises, it supports our work and shares valuable expertise with our member community.
Read about Azets
Founding Corporate Partner
Charles Russell Speechlys
Charles Russell Speechlys is an international law firm with a strong presence in Surrey. Its partnership supports our work, our local economy and the sustainable development of the Surrey Hills community.
Read about Charles Russell Speechlys

Charity Partner

Our Charity Partnership brings Surrey Hills Enterprises, our members and the wider community together to raise awareness, build valuable connections and create opportunities to support an important local cause.

Charity Partner
Shooting Star Children's Hospices
Shooting Star Children's Hospices supports babies, children and young people with life-limiting conditions, as well as their families. Our partnership helps increase awareness of its work and creates opportunities for engagement across our member and events community.
Read about Shooting Star Children's Hospices

Education Partner

Our Education Partnership connects Surrey Hills organisations with knowledge, research, skills and expertise. It creates opportunities for learning, collaboration, innovation and stronger links between our members and the University.

Education Partner
University of Surrey
The University of Surrey works with Surrey Hills Enterprises to connect our members with expertise, research, learning and collaborative opportunities. The partnership also supports events and activities focused on innovation, skills and sustainable growth.
Read about University of Surrey

Funding

How Surrey Hills Enterprises Is Funded

Surrey Hills Enterprises is a Community Interest Company. We generate income through a combination of:

Membership fees
Corporate, charity and education partnerships
Sponsorship
Events
Grants and project funding
Commissioned work and services

This mixed-income model helps us support our members, develop collaborative projects, deliver events and contribute to a thriving and sustainable Surrey Hills economy.

Core team

The people you will work with

We are a small but very dedicated core team who share the same passion: to help protect, promote and enhance the economy, environment and community within the Surrey Hills.

Maggie Howell
Chief Executive Officer
Maggie leads Surrey Hills Enterprises, setting the direction of the membership organisation and building the partnerships that help local organisations grow sustainably.
Caitlin Lakidis
Operations Manager
Caitlin runs the day-to-day operations of the organisation, supporting members, managing the member events programme, and keeping membership systems and administration running smoothly.
Vicky Goode
Events Manager
Vicky leads Surrey Hills Enterprises’ major public events programme, planning and delivering the Spring Fair, Country Fair, Wood Fair and Fire and Food Fair.
Raphaelle Simmons
Marketing Manager
Raphaelle leads marketing and communications, promoting members, telling their stories and raising the profile of Surrey Hills produce and services.
Michael Coughlin
Chairman
Michael chairs the board of Surrey Hills Enterprises, providing governance and strategic leadership for the organisation and its members.