With a proven track record of building successful partnerships and driving strategic initiatives, Christofi is committed to creating a thriving business ecosystem that empowers local businesses to thrive and succeed. His strong leadership, entrepreneurial spirit, and passion for community development make him a driving force behind the Chamber’s mission to support and promote the interests of businesses in South East London.

Christofi is the Economic Inclusion Manager at Peabody, one of the UK’s oldest non-for-profit housing associations. He is responsible for leading their Economic Inclusion approach, working to facilitate programmes that support improved economic outcomes across enterprise start-up and growth, employment or apprenticeship career pathways, growth sector training and skills development and social value initiatives for Peabody residents and the communities in which they reside.

Over the years Christofi has worked on the redevelopment of Battersea Power Station, the London 2012 Olympic Games, the Thamesmead, Holloway Park, Dagenham Green and Friary Park regeneration programmes, as well as various other high-profile projects across the Capital and Home Counties.

He lives with his young family in South London and is keen to support the Chamber and its members in delivering positive economic change.

Prior to setting up Crystal Associates, Mark spent 25 years in senior global roles at Siemens, with a focus on sustainability and digitalisation of city infrastructure and industry.

Helen is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) and prior to her election as President of the Chamber, she was an active member of the Greater London Group, the largest group within the CIPR.

She has worked in public affairs locally for over 30 years with a range of clients, including the Greenwich Foundation, Cathedral Group and U+I (now part of Landsec). She represents this regeneration group on the Chamber’s Board.

Helen was made a College Fellow 2023 of London’s South East Colleges in recognition of significant support provided as a strategic partner of the College in influencing the skills agenda in South East London.

Throughout his career, Raff’s roles were consistently customer-facing, giving him exposure to sole traders, SMEs, and international PLCs. This experience has given him a strong understanding of the importance of relating to individuals at all levels of seniority and experience.

Raff moved to the UK from Italy in June 1970 and has lived in and around South East London ever since. In retirement, he has stayed true to his word and now travels extensively, both within the UK and overseas.

She spent seven years at Youth Sport Trust as the Director of Communications, five years as the Communications and Fundraising Director of Dame Kelly Holmes Trust and two years as the Director of Development at Westway Trust.

Since September 2015, Louise has been working at LSEC (London South East Colleges) and is now their Group Chief Transformation Officer. In her time there, she has supported a highly successful merger, expanded on the College’s external stakeholder strategy and secured funding for multiple high-value projects, including £6.4m from the GLA for a new £11.02m Aerospace and Technology College.

Louise is a firm believer in the benefits of cooperation between education providers, local authorities and employers. Throughout her time at London South East Colleges, she has worked to ensure that employers continue to shape and enhance the experience LSEC’s learners. She hopes to use her experiences to further promote growth and partnerships in South East London.

Louise joined the Chamber Board of Directors in June 2018.

He has recently been appointed as Chief Operating Officer – Enterprise and Employment.

Neil’s role is central to providing pathways into employment, developing professional training opportunities for businesses and to ensure that employers have a central voice in the skills, knowledge and behaviours that our students need to develop.

As well as having strategic development and oversight of employer engagement and apprenticeships, Neil oversees the College’s Higher Education provision, curriculum innovation and partnership arrangements.

Neil has cross-college responsibility for all commercial and facility hire, leading on the college’s agenda to continue to diversify its revenue streams. And, in addition, Neil leads the College’s Greenwich and Bexley campuses including the adult community learning provision.

Yildiz has been networking passionately with the SME sector and property professionals across the South East since 2004.

Legally qualified in the area of Commercial Property Law since 1997, Yildiz’s role covers all aspects of commercial property and land development and she is the Head of the Commercial Real Estate Team and a Partner at the firm of Thackray Williams.

Thackray Williams is a reputable full service ‘Legal 500’ firm with offices in Bromley, Sevenoaks and in the City, where Yildiz is based.

Yildiz is also a past winner of the Best Female Property Lawyer in ‘Practice’ from the Association of Women Solicitors.

Away from work, Yildiz completed a Masters in Occupational Psychology and is a member of the British Psychological Society. Yildiz spends her spare time with friends and family both in the UK and overseas.

Barrie’s background is mainly in economic development and marketing and he is a Fellow of The Chartered Institute of Marketing. He worked in senior marketing and development roles at a number of destinations across the UK including Liverpool, Merseyside and Cheshire.

He worked at St. Helens Chamber of Commerce as Marketing and Development Director helping them become UK Chamber of the year in 2010.

Barrie has won several awards throughout his career for marketing strategy and branding. Recently Visit Greenwich has won international awards for its marketing and travel trade work. 

Barrie is passionate about people and places and believes that Greenwich and South East London is an incredibly vibrant place to live, work, visit and study in.

He feels strongly that the Chamber has a key role to play in making the place even better by connecting businesses and inspiring them to grow and employ people.