The Tamworth Chamber of Commerce Board Members are prominent business professionals with a passion for and commitment to the Tamworth Business Community. They give their time, energy and expertise to the Chamber in a completely voluntary capacity.
The key role for the board is to set out strategic objectives for the Tamworth Business Chamber, and assist with various subcommittees who support, promote and aid in the development of the Tamworth region.
Matthew Sweeney
Matthew Sweeney
Matthew Sweeney is a Chartered Accountant and business advisor with global experience but a local approach. Over the past 25 years he has worked with businesses from local start-up entrepreneurs through to international Government departments providing strategic guidance and compliance advice using his wealth of knowledge and expertise. More recently he has joined the team at Bell Partners in Tamworth as the head of the Accounting division.
“I have joined the Board of the Tamworth Business Chamber in order to continue developing a thriving business community and create a showcase for regional investment attraction."
David Errington
David Errington
Dave Errington is Managing Director of Apollo Engineering. Apollo is a locally owned family business that specialises in advanced manufacturing. Apollo is an OEM for a range equipment, supporting industries such as mining, mechanical, rail, transport, waste collection and more. Apollo also supports local industry with our advanced manufacturing advanced manufacturing capabilities with services such as CNC Machining, laser cutting, CNC folding and fabrication.
Dave grew up in Tamworth, completing his schooling at Tamworth High School in 1993. He began his career in manufacturing, joining the family business as an apprentice Fitter and Machinist. Over the next 25 years his passion for Australian manufacturing grew as the business continued to embrace technology to improve efficiency and create a globally competitive market offering. During this time, Dave completed his Bachelor of Business at the University of New England, met his wife Karina, had two children and moved to Bundaberg to work in the family business for 4 years. In 2018, an opportunity presented itself to purchase the (original) business in Tamworth which Dave and Karina jumped at.
Dave is extremely passionate about regionally based manufacturing and believes that the best way to achieve success is to innovate and collaborate.
"innovation is the only way that we can remain competitive in a global marketplace. Collaboration is all about working together to achieve the best desired outcomes for the whole. Whether it is with your suppliers, work group, customers, training providers, government departments - it doesn't matter, as long as everybody in the value chain gains success from it".
Martin Howes
Martin Howes
Martin is the Centre Manager at Centrepoint Tamworth and has over 17 years’ experience in retail and shopping centre management.
In his previous roles, Martin has managed large scale retail assets such as Charlestown Square in Lake Macquarie along with smaller community based shopping centres such as Carlingford Court in Sydney’s north western suburbs. He has extensive experience working with retail business both locally and nationally and has a unique perspective and skill set that he will bring to the Tamworth Business Chamber.
Martin already works closely with the Tamworth Business Chamber and has contributed to the success of the ‘Think Local, Shop Local’ campaign over the last 4 years. Centrepoint Tamworth is the major shopping centre sponsor of the ‘Think Local, Shop Local’ campaign that last year generated over $1 mil in local retail sales.
He also has previous experience as a Board Member of Dantia, the economic development company for Lake Macquarie City Council, and has contributed to the board of The Place, a local community centre based in Charlestown NSW.
Whilst not originally from Tamworth, Martin moved here over 5 years ago and now calls Tamworth home. He is committed to supporting local businesses and seeing the Tamworth community prosper.
Monty Maguire
Monty Maguire
Monty Maguire is the Managing Director of the Powerhouse Hotel Tamworth by Rydges.
Monty took up the role at The Powerhouse after relocating to Tamworth earlier this year from Armidale & having her first child, Poppy. Monty and her partner Chris operate a lucerne farm at Piallamore and a contract farming business, Johnstone Rural Services.
She is a board member of the Accommodation Association of Australia’s (AAoA) NSW State Advisory Committee and was the Vice President of Business New England (formerly Armidale Business Chamber) and works to drive growth to the region through the tourism and hospitality sectors.
With more than a decade of hotel and hospitality experience, she was the General Manager of The Powerhouse Hotel Armidale by Rydges for over 8 years, after working overseas at the Ritz Carlton Central Park, New York, Maradiva Villas, Resort & Spa, Mauritius and at leading London restaurants The Wolseley and Rabot 1745.
Born into a hardworking hospitality family in Tamworth, she has been immersed in the business since she was a child and studied Hospitality Management at Ecole Hoteliere in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Monty is a strong advocate for both the industry and North West business community and together with her family has a long and proud history of supporting regional Australian travel and delivering exceptional service and quality.
Craig Clarke
Craig Clarke
Craig boasts 33 years in the banking industry, excelling in roles across financial markets, retail and commercial banking. Since moving to Tamworth with his family six years ago, he has whole-heartedly embraced the town and contributes to various community-driven initiatives including Rotary and Bective East Cricket Club. Craig has also previously been involved with other Sydney Business Chambers, including Manly and Norwest.
Llewellyn Owens
Llewellyn Owens
Llewellyn is an experienced business executive with a technical background as a mechanical engineer. His experience spans over the power, water, mining, transport and energy industries and having the fortune to be involved in some multi-billion dollar projects. Over the last 10 years, his efforts have focused on the development, deployment and review of renewable energy and sustainable technologies, including hydrogen, battery storage, wind, solar, hydropower & biomass. Llew holds a Bachelor in Engineering from University of Queensland and a Masters in Business from Monash University.
Since moving to Tamworth in 2017 with his wife Kristen and four children, he managed Efficacy Advisors – an engineering advisory firm which specialising in renewable energy developments and technology commercialisation. The Efficacy team provide advisory services globally on clean technology but also have been instrumental in establishing some local projects. They setup and led the Providence Asset Group $500m solar/ hydrogen portfolio - which included the Manilla solar. More recently they have lead the development of the $900m Bendemeer Renewable Hub.
He is passionate about clean technology and has established strong links with universities to commercialise clean technology. In 2018 he founded the H2Store hydrogen start up (rebranded to LAVO). This is now one of Australia’s leading hydrogen companies and developed the world’s first household hydrogen battery systems. More recently he has worked with UNSW and UNE to found Vesi Water, which aims to setup a manufacturing facility for clean water technology in the New England region.
Llew is a strong advocate that the current clean technology transition can create a once in a generation opportunity to bring capability, infrastructure, and jobs to regional Australia. If appointed to the Chamber board he will continue to highlight these opportunities and to ensure the regions benefit from the investments.
Katherine Sherrie
Katherine Sherrie
Katherine is the Business Development Manager of FPM Cereal Milling Systems Pty Ltd, an independent, family-owned specialised milling company that has been producing cereal and pulse-based products in Taminda since 2004.
Before moving to Tamworth in November 2021, she had a 12-year career in the marketing, advertising and communications industry working across client and agency roles in Sydney, Perth and the USA for organisations ranging from Microsoft, to Ernst & Young and the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. Most recently, she was the Director of Digital and Integration at a full-service ad agency creating solutions for clients across a range of industries.
Katherine completed a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Arts double degree at the University of Sydney. She is about to embark on a new challenge, completing a Flour Milling Certificate through the UK Flour Millers distance learning programme.
She has experience working with stakeholders from across the private and public sectors, with a particular interest in creating diverse and inclusive organisations, mentoring young people, and supporting other rural businesses as they face their unique challenges.
Outside of work, she is a member of the Tamworth Evening Branch of the Country Women’s Association and is a keen reader, baker, and hiker.