Inchcape UK’s Lexus Guildford announces Corporate Partnership with Surrey Hills Enterprises

Inchcape UK’s Lexus Guildford and Surrey Hills Enterprises are delighted to announce their new corporate partnership which was officially launched on Tuesday 22nd January.

The luxury car retailer and community interest company have joined together to drive the next phase of a development which aims to build a thriving rural business community and develop Surrey Hills into one of the top 10 nationally recognised countryside destinations and brands in the UK.

The partnership will also help to promote the ‘Trade Mark Surrey Hills’, recently launched with the support of the Rt Hon Michael Gove, Secretary of State for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs. It is a mark of local provenance and quality which celebrates those businesses of high quality that reflect and support the distinct and special nature of the Surrey Hills and who share the values of supporting the local environment.

The partnership reflects the key values of Lexus Guildford in supporting the local environment and inspiring its customers to explore the Surrey Hills and enjoy the outdoors. Wendy Preston, General Manager of Lexus Guildford said, ‘Lexus has got the largest range of self-charging hybrid vehicles of any luxury manufacturer and with that in mind we are conscious that as a brand we encourage a positive impact on society as a whole. It’s rewarding to know that our support is helping the local community while promoting the fantastic days out that Surrey Hills offer.’

Surrey Hills Enterprises is the commercial arm of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) which was established in 2012 to support and develop the rural economy and to promote, protect and enhance Surrey Hills.

Wendy Varcoe MBE, Executive Director at Surrey Hills Enterprises, said: “We are delighted to be working with Wendy Preston and her team at Lexus Guildford. This is a key partnership enabling us to support rural businesses and local communities. We will be delivering an exciting range of events and festivals to explore and enjoy the fantastic landscape, arts, crafts and local food and drink of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The programme inspires people to be active, explore the outdoors and to support local.”

Inchcape UK is part of Inchcape plc, the leading independent multi-brand Automotive Distributor and Retailer with global scale. For more information on Inchcape, visit www.inchcape.co.uk,

Launch of the Trade Mark Surrey Hills

Following Michael Gove’s Key Note Speech at Surrey’s Rural Economy Conference, Wendy Varcoe, Executive Director of Surrey Hills Enterprises and Ann Moriarty of KISS The Agency, launched the Trade Mark Surrey Hills to celebrate those businesses of high quality that are stimulating the rural economy but are also reflecting the distinct and special nature of the local environment.

Ann, the creator of the original concept, said’ this is a new accreditation and is a Mark of local provenance and quality designed to promote the very best of what Surrey has to offer and to support those businesses who share the values of supporting the local environment.

9 of Surrey’s outstanding businesses that meet the Trade Mark Surrey Hills criteria were awarded the Trade Mark Certificates by Michael Gove who congratulated each on their outstanding businesses and the contribution that they are making.

The Trade Mark Awardees received their Award from the Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Environment Secretary Michael Gove said:

“The Surrey Hills Trade Mark awards play an important role in celebrating the high quality products and services the area is renowned for, and the awardees all deserve our congratulations.”

TRADE MARK AWARDEES
 Simon Taylor – Surrey Hills Butchers
 Sam Goody – Surrey Hills Firewood
 Tim Metson – Coverwood Farm
 Ian McCulloch – Silent Pool Distillery

And our 5 Surrey Hills Vineyards
 Chris White, Denbies Wine Estate
 Nick Wenman, Albury Organic Vineyard
 Mike Wagstaff, Greyfriars Vineyard
 Sibylla Tindale, High Clandon Estate Vineyard
 Mia Wrigley, Chilworth Manor Vineyard

Wendy Varcoe, Executive Director of Surrey Hills Enterprises said ’The Award celebrates those businesses of high quality that are shining examples in Surrey supporting local products and services and who reflect and support the distinct and special nature of the Surrey Hills and the local environment.

The Trade Mark Surrey Hills is one of a number of initiatives organised by Surrey Hills Enterprises, a Community Interest Company, working to support the rural economy and to promote, protect and enhance the beautiful Surrey Hills.