New appointments at networking group

A thriving Shropshire networking group has appointed two new ambassadors to help lead the next stage of its development.

Financial expert Mark Parry-Jones and style consultant Sally Inkster have joined the four-strong team which runs the Whitchurch Collaborative Networking group.

They join current ambassadors Teresa Jones and Dave Burgess at the helm of the not-for-profit group, which has seen its numbers double over the last 12 months.

Teresa said they were delighted with the new appointments.

“Both Sally and Mark bring a terrific amount of drive, energy and enthusiasm to the team and that will be invaluable over the next 12 months. We pride ourselves on being a friendly, truly collaborative group that aims to help as many businesses as possible in north Shropshire and South Cheshire and having Sally and Mark on board will strengthen our ability to do just that.”

Shrewsbury-based Mark, of Mardon Financial Advisers, has worked in financial services since 1999 and covers all areas of wealth management, including retirement planning, investment planning and inheritance tax planning, to both personal and business clients.

“My emphasis is on building and maintaining a long-term financial planning relationship with my clients, providing them with a source of trusted advice as their financial needs evolve over the years,” he said.

Sally, who runs Diva Dressing in Chester, helps individuals find their personal and unique dressing style – and boosts their self-esteem in the process.

“Before founding Diva Dressing I qualified as a nurse specialist in cancer care. Working with cancer patients you soon become very aware of what’s important in life and what’s not. The more I watched people go through terrible side effects and dreadful news I realized that a great wig or an outfit that flattered them did wonders for their self-esteem, their outlook on their life and their prognosis.”

The group meets on the first Wednesday of every month from 10am at Whitchurch’s Hill Valley Hotel, with guests paying just £5 to help cover the cost of room hire and tea and coffee.

London-based financial expert Neil Chesters, of Cifco Ltd, spoke of the need for everyone to carry out a regular personal financial audit at the group’s latest meeting.

The next meeting of the group will feature a talk by utilities expert Adam Beckett, of Chester-based Power Solutions, on July 5, on how energy affects the future of civilisation, the latest major shifts and opportunities to take back control in a fast changing climate.                   

To book your place contact David Burgess at davidburgess1@btinternet.com. More details of the group are available at www. collaborativenetworking.co.uk