The Birmingham Chinatown Lions Officers:
President, Treasurer, Secretary / Welfare Officer, Vice President, 1st Vice President, Election Officer, Lions Tamer / Sergeant At Arms, Tail Twister, Media Officer - Twitter / Facebook, and our Tail Twister.
President / Secretary / Welfare Officer
Jeremy Walker
Member since 2015.
Profile details: Jeremy Walker was born in , South Yorkshire in 1961. One of five children.
Moved to Birmingham in 1991. Jeremy is Director of his own business, JMW Associates, helping other business owners and directors in developing their business. He also gives a day a week to a local charity called RSVP (Rape & Sexual Violence Project). Jeremy has years of experience in the charity sector, community work, law enforcement as well as business. He has been fortunate to develop an extensive network of contacts in all sectors and is able to use those to assist in his membership of BCTLC.
Although only joining the Lions in March 2015, he has been a committed and faithful supporter of the Club and all its activities for many years.
Jeremy enjoys cooking, trying new foods, the cinema, and people watching!
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Past President & District Governor Elect
Stewart Sherman-Kahn
Member since 2012
Profile details: Born in Leicester in 1972 my formative years were spent in Worcestershire. After leaving Bromsgrove School with A levels, I started my Training as a Chartered Surveying at the College of Estate Management at Reading University while working at the Birmingham Valuation Office. I was elected a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors on 29 November 1996.
From 2003 until 2008 I was involved and eventually ran Radio Lollipop at the Birmingham Children´s Hospital with a fundraising and broadcasting brief.
In June 1999 I established Chamberlains Chartered Surveyors. A small but perfectly formed Surveying Practice based in Harborne. We have a varied case load and deal in both residential and commercial property matters.
I am also a DJ and MC and host and entertain people at events across the West Midlands.
I look forward to being an asset to the Birmingham Chinatown Lions Club and helping them with the sterling work in the community.
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Louis Woo
Member since 2007
Profile details: Born in Sabah Malaysia. I arrived in the United Kingdom as a student in the mid 60's. Having finished my studies in mechanical engineering, I worked for numbers of years in the design office. I then sought a change in my career by establishing my own business which, I did for over 16 years. I thoroughly enjoyed this time of my life, as it was rewarding, challenging and successful. Alongside the business, I was heavily involved with working with the West Midlands police / courts; there I developed a passion to help the community by translating and interpreting.
Having retired from the business and reflected on what I miss doing, I decided to contribute to the community in a positive and rewarding way, hence, my involvement with the Overseas Chinese Association School. In addition to this I have worked at the Birmingham Chinese Society for over 7 years.
Projects which I have been involved with included: Immigration, Elderly, providing information, advice and guidance, New Deal for unemployed "18-25" year's olds, Employment, Youth, Interpreting and Translation.Again, this time is rewarding as I contributed to the community and help the Chinese people in integrating into British Society.
Charter Member
Joseph "Joe" Lee
Member since Charter 1987
Profile details : Joe Lee - a Chartered member, 2002 BCLC President, Club Treasurer, and also a Melvin Jones Fellowship. Also a well known and respected businessman within the Chinese community.
Organizing among many things a specialist in our - Golf 4-Ball fund-raising Tournaments. Youth activities - Karaoke, Badminton, Football, Table Tennis etc...
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Wei Du
Member since 2006
I was born and grew up in Shen Yang, North East China. I have studied a diploma course in Law at the Shen Yang School of Politics and Law. After finishing my education, I then worked for a Pharmaceutical Company. Coming to Oxford to study English in 2003, moving to Birmingham to continue my studies in 2004. In 2005 I went to Wu Shan as a guest of the Lions for the opening of their school and I joined the Lions after my return from China in 2006. I enjoy the friendship of the Lions and think that their charity work is totally worthwhile.
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Honorary Lion Member
Yunzhen "Brook" Zhao
Member since 2010
Profile details: Born in Beijing, China. I came to the UK in the year 2000, to study as an oversea student. Previously worked for Chew Chartered Accountants. I am currently an ACCA affiliate, and will qualify as a Chartered Accountant in February 2012. I moved to Birmingham in 2006 after I finished my degree in London. I was introduced to Birmingham Chinatown Lions Club by David Cox, who is also one of the Lions. I would always like to support charities, joining BCLC gives me the chance to make a contribute to the local society.
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Lions Member
Hui Lam
Member since 2011
Profile details: Born in Birmingham only in 1984, hence I am called a baby Lion by the other Lions still! Happily married to Vicky for several years and living in the city centre. I studied my undergraduate degree in business at Aston University and then proceeded to study my masters at Warwick University.
Always being a local lad, I grew up going to weekend Chinese school and visiting Chinatown each week for one reason or another. I have first-hand experience of a lot of the community groups around Chinatown and within the Birmingham Chinese community.
The Chinatown Lions are one of the most valuable charity organisations within its community and the work it does is very worthwhile to those it benefits.
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Bebeanna Woo
Member since 2013.
Profile details: Bebe is currently working in Calthorpe Special School as an Inclusion Manager. She has over nine years experience working with young people as a careers adviser in Connexions. Whilst growing up my parents have actively been involved in helping the local community, contributing to society and supporting charities in a rewarding and positive way. This has inspired me to follow in their footsteps. What better way than to join an organisation like the Lions!
Brian Hu
Member since 2013.
Profile details: Born Wuhan in China, and arrived in the UK as a student in 2003, where I did a language course in London. After completion I moved onto Birmingham in 2003. Having finished my degree in hospitality, I worked in the industry for several years, until I had an opportunity to work as an estate agent. I felt a passion about doing the job, as I helped a lot of oversea students to find their homes during their student life in the UK.
In 2008 I established my own property letting business Glocal Residential which is based in the Birmingham City Center and has been serving the Chinese community since.
I heard about the Lions Club a few years back and always think the charity work the club does is truly inspiring. Having introduced by Mr Ken Tong, I became a proud member of the Lions June 2013.
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Lions Tamer / Sergeant At Arms
Kit Neo
Member since 2013.
Profile details: I came to UK in 1997, to do my mechanical engineering under graduate and master degrees in ICT in Coventry University. And have been working in different fields like computers, food and am now currently running a design & printing company called 16 Printing Ltd. Which is based in the Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham and also a recruitment agency to provide legal staff for the oriental food industry.
It is my pleasure to have been invited, to be a member of the Birmingham China Town Lions Club. As I am keen to contribute to the community and also help the British public.
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Lions Member
Simon Bateman
Member since 2013.
Profile details: After leaving school Simon worked in the automotive industry selling car parts around the country. Having a passion for IT, Simon eventually started his own IT business in the Midlands in 2000 whilst helping his Mother run a small estate agency in Solihull. In 2003 Simon completed his degree in Business Administration. In 2011 he merged the IT business with another similar business which has created many new opportunities.
Simon is keen musician playing the trumpet and now plays the Flugel Horn for a local brass band. The band plays in functions across the South Birmingham area. In addition Simon is a keen car enthusiast. Simon also enjoys trips around National Trust properties.
Being a long time friend of Stewart Sherman and David Cox, Simon wanted to become more community spirited and decided to join his friends in the Lions. I have found the position inspiring and look forward to doing great things in the Birmingham area.
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Lions Member
Shu Wang
Member since 2014.
Profile details: Shu was born in Hangzhou, China, a city fulfilled with water spring and fine tea! He initially came in the UK in 2007 as an exchange student at the University of Nottingham. He finally settled in Birmingham to complete his Masters Degree. He describes himself as being an enthusiastic person. Having explored different business opportunities, he found a market between those Chinese people who want to go to the UK and British people who want to go China. Therefore, leading him to establish his own consulting company, mainly focusing on education. The Lions Club was familiar to me a few years ago, as several of my friends, have already joined club's in mainland China, word of mouth encouraged myself to find a place where I can do something active and help the community.
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Lions Member
Michael Packham
Member since 2014.
Profile details: I was born in Brighton in 1950 and up until 12 years ago, lived and worked on the South Coast. Moved to Birmingham in 2003 and have lived and worked in the area ever since. Currently work for a firm of Solicitors south of Solihull doing a job I enjoy! Elderly Client work, Wills Powers of Attorney and other related issues.
I had a brief encounter with Eastbourne Lions in the days when they ran Eastbourne Carnival but found I didn't have the time to commit fully as I was also a Special Constable. I find I had plenty of spare time on my hands and was introduced to Lions by David Cox who I met both socially and professionally through networking lunches for the Birmingham Business Community. My first meeting was really enjoyable. I was made to feel very welcome and like and respect the ethos of Lions. It is a very poor world if you can't find time to help others worse off that yourself. I am reminded of a comment an elderly client of mine made many years ago. He said "Life is like a Bank Account. If you put nothing in you can take nothing out" I'll leave you with that as I think it sums up Lions admirably.
Dean Lake
Member since 2015.
Profile details: I was born in 1980 in Germany where my father was serving in the armed forces. We moved to Birmingham in 1993 and I have lived here ever since. I left school when I was 16 and had various apprenticeships in the construction design industry until I was 20 when I then found my true calling in the interior fit out sector. I have recently started my own interior fit out business and it is going from strength to strength.
My wife and two young boys have always been my motivation and inspiration, and have supported me in all my activities both in business and for charity. I feel very privileged to live the life I have and to have met the people I know and this has made me want to give back to people less fortunate than I. I know it’s a cliché but it’s true! I have been taken part previous Lions events and have always enjoyed them, this again is another draw for me to Birmingham Chinatown Lions Club as everything they do is with a smile on their faces. Former president David Cox introduced me to the group and I hope that I can serve as well has he did.
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Lions Member
Jackie Royal
Member since 2015.
Profile details: Born in Birmingham in 1970, I have spent my whole life in the City, leaving School with O and A Levels. I trained at Archbishop Grimshaw Sixth Form College to be a secretary going on to work as a Legal PA at a top Birmingham City Centre Law Firm. Currently, I work as PA to Director for Customer & Communities at a large East and West Midlands based Housing Association Charity.
In my earlier years, I was a singer in various bands, belting out tunes from Shania Twain to Stone Temple Pilots (not one of my best moments!). These bands have raised lots of money for various charities and I'm pleased that we put our talents to good use. I still love to blast out a tune then and now to the detriment of some!
I am really pleased to have been accepted by Birmingham Chinatown Lions as a new Member. I know that I have a lot to offer them, as helping and organising is something I really enjoy and do well in my job as PA. This attribute, I know, can only further assist Birmingham Chinatown Lions to achieve lots more for people that are in absolute need of help.
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Lions Member
Genie Liew
Member since 2015.
Profile details: I am from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and studied English in the Box Hill Tafe in Melbourne and finished my diploma in Hospitality Management. In 2004 I moved to the United Kingdom to further my studies and moved to Birmingham area.
I have been attending different charity events and dinners organised by Birmingham Chinatown Lions Club. My friend Lauryn Yuen, one of the Lions member, explained to me that being a member in the Lions Club, means that helping and contributing to these supported charity events. I feel this is so meaningful and interesting.
I'm proud to become a part of the Lions Club and also glad to have a chance to contribute on this charity community and the local society.
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Lions Member
James Hall
Member since 2015.
Profile details: I was born in Solihull in 1979 and grew up in Birmingham, living here until leaving for University at Sheffield in 1998. After four years in Sheffield and one subsequent year in London I returned to Birmingham, where I have lived and worked ever since. I began my professional life training to be a barrister and was Called to the Bar in 2003. In 2006 I qualified as a solicitor and practice as one to this day, working for Anthony Collins Solicitors in Birmingham city centre, helping people with estate and tax planning matters. I am a full member of STEP, the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.
Since 2012 I have been involved with fundraising for the Birmingham branch of a national legal charity, the Personal Support Unit (“the PSU”), and it was my experiences with this and my time networking in the Birmingham business community that brought me into contact with the Chinatown Lions Club, specifically through my friend Jeremy Walker.
My time with the Lions has already demonstrated to me that they work with and help a number of incredibly worthy charities and good causes and make a tremendous impact on the community. I am very pleased that I am in a position to help the Lions with their great work, and that they want me to be involved. I look forward to helping to make a difference.
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Lions Member
Garry Peal
Member since 2015.
Profile details: Garry has worked in the leisure industry since 1976 and in a management position with Birmingham City Council since 1987. He was seconded to the Birmingham Task Force 2012 in 2006 to maximise the benefits to Birmingham of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
One of Garry’s 2012 projects was the Jamaica Track and Field pre-Olympic Training Camp Coordinator.
In his current role as Business Development Manager he supports the Assistant Director for sport, events and Parks in the delivery and management of major events within the City, and in the bidding and delivery of a programme of sporting events for Birmingham, and has develop a sponsorship strategy & action plan to support service priorities, to increase financial support for the Sports, Events & Parks Events programme through sponsorship, in kind contributions, grant funding and out sourcing.
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Lions Member
Jason Jones
Member since 2016.
Profile details: Born in 1972, to an Irish Mum and English Dad, leading to a massive tug of loyalties just around World cup time. Having then moved to Prague and married a Czech, the Euros aren’t any less complicated.
Safe to say I’m happy to be a Brummie and settled in the Midlands, where I work for a National Storage Company assisting our Commercial Clients. This has brought me into contact with a number of the Lions over time and this has grown into friendships, so when the opportunity arose to join I leapt at the chance.
When not involved in helping businesses find storage space or supporting the various community activities of the Lions and the Czech Slovak Societies. I like to spend my time fixing things and practicing the only seven songs I know on guitar.
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Lions Member
John Pottinger
Member since 2016.
Profile details: Born and bred in Birmingham in 1967 after leaving college I joined the financial services industry in 1987, gaining authorisation to advise clients in May 1990.
I spent 12-years working for a large international accountancy firms and started my own firm in 2014, specialising in advising fellow professional services people, owner-managers and PLC executives.
I play badminton, golf and cycle and enjoy anything social. Whilst working at larger firms I always ended up being the representative for social committee and being responsible for arranging Christmas meals and other large events. I want to put these skills to good use, helping raise funds for those deserving individuals in our community that are not as fortunate.
Lions Member
Fay Gao
Member since 2016.
Having grown up in China, I am now settled in the UK. As I have studied in Nottingham and Spain.
I now live in Birmingham with my husband and daughter. Working for the UK Pathway, as we are assisting Chinese Students with their applications for study in the UK. I look forward tos participating in all the activities of the Birmingham Chinatown Lions in their fundraising and service to help the local community
Lions Member
John Ellis
Member since 2017.
Profile details: I am a Chartered Accountant in a general prsactice as a Consultant, finding more work balance life , so more time for tennis at the Edgbaston Priory and some of my charitable work by becoming a Trustee of a local branch for a national charity.
In the past I have been the Hon. treasurer at the Harborne Cricket Club, Edgbaston Priory Club, a school governor for many years at the Kings Norton Boys School, together with being a company director of various companies to this day. Apart from active consultancy work and charity work, I now have more time for my family, with my daughter in Australia & her 2 children + the imminent arrival of another daughter’s child , to join the daughter of my son in the UK – so in one way or another one still keeps working.
Lions Member
Sean Dyer
Member since 2017.
Profile details: Born In Tamworth in 1990, my early life was spent either building rafts, playing guitar in numerous bands or making short films with an old VHS camera. Hence my current profession.
I studied Media Studies at Lichfield College and then moved to Stafford to study Film Production with Management at Staffordshire University. I set up my first company the year I graduated, eventually operating it full-time in 2013. Since then my company, Lumina Studios, has gone from strength to strength. I've had the pleasure to meet some amazing people and work with some great brands doing what I love, video production!
As a Business owner I've experienced some real struggles, highs and lows. This has driven me to do more in the community and give a helping hand to the less fortunate. I'm really looking forward to contributing to Chinatown Lions in any way I can.
Lions Member
Caroline Mackenzie
Member since 2017.
Profile details: I was born in 1976 in Birmingham, and grew up in Halesowen, where I went to school. I went to college in Stourbridge (where my parents met at the Art College), completing the International Baccalaureate Diploma. I also met my husband through the Stourbridge College Hill Walking Club, and we’ve been happily married for 13 years.
I am a very experienced Credit Controller, having worked in a number of different industries, including 9 years at a law firm. I am currently employed by Infor as a Collections Specialist, based at their offices at Blythe Valley Park in Solihull. My colleagues speak a variety of languages, and I really love coming to work in a truly international workplace.
I was introduced to the Chinatown Lions by my good friend Michael Packham. I attended a few of their events and felt genuinely welcomed by everyone. I am proud to be member of this Club and I look forward to working with them all to do good for the people of Birmingham.
Lions Member
Richard Lambert
Member since 2017.
Profile details: I was born in Hampshire and went to school where I grew up near Swindon and then in Somerset. I moved recently to Birmingham in December 2016 from Fleet in Hampshire, where I lived for the last thirty five years.
I went to Bristol Polytechnic (now University of the West of England) to study Medical Laboratory Sciences, specialising in Haematology and Blood Transfusion before working for the National Blood Transfusion Service at Bristol and Cambridge centres. Moving from the NHS into industry, I then worked in sales, product management and finally logistics operations for Baxter (Travenol) Healthcare until they moved HQ and I took voluntary redundancy.
I then worked for a medical diagnostics company near Reading that manufactures diagnostic typing reagents for blood transfusion, before acquiring the company in a management buy-in with two fellow employees when the previous Managing Director retired.
A member of The Lions Club of Fleet for five years from 2011-2016, I took a year’s sabbatical from Lions due to excessive business travel at that time.
Now retired from work, I am still Vice Chairman and majority shareholder of Lorne Laboratories.
I still sing with Wessex Chamber Choir at cathedrals across the country when the regular choir are on holiday.
I am delighted to have transferred my membership from Fleet Lions to Birmingham Chinatown Lions and look forward to helping them in their important work to bring assistance and service to the local community.
Lions Member
Ian Vesey
Member since 2017.
Profile details: I was born in Manchester in 1963 and came to Birmingham in 1984 to study. I was impressed with Birmingham from the start so remained after finishing my degree. I’d worked in the law in Manchester, and started working in Solicitors offices in Birmingham. I qualified as a Solicitor in 1999. After a year, I joined with others to form our own firm.
I am mainly a criminal advocate and am now a Higher Courts Advocate(Criminal) which allows me to wear a wig in Crown Court! I decided some time ago that the future wasn’t in crime and so started a firm dealing in other areas. I now run Warwick Vesey’s and we do more High Street traditional work with a niche in SE Asia as we have Vietnamese, Thai and Chinese speakers. We are soon to open a Russian Department too. We work with everyone though, and offer a free consultation in all areas we cover.
When not working I enjoy photography, walking & love to travel when I get the chance. I am a Manchester City season ticket holder too.
Working on the edge of Chinatown I’d been aware of the amazing work the Lions do and so was really pleased to join them, I hope that I can use my skills to help them and build on the fantastic work they do.
Lions Member
Clive Rebbeck
Member since 2017.
Profile details: Clive was born in London and educated in Essex where he qualified as a Solicitor. A specialist child care lawyer he was appointed to the Law Society Children panel in 2007 and that same year was elected as President of Southend on Sea and District Law Society.
As the founder and Managing Director of HRS Family Law Solicitors Ltd Clive spends most of his working life supervising their offices or representing parents in Court. It was a sense of wanting to give something back, perhaps borne of his professional role, that led him to join the Lions and he hopes that his experience and administrative skills will be of use to the group.
In his spare time, such as there is, Clive enjoys painting, history and current affairs. He may also be found at Edgbaston stadium watching the cricket with his wife Victoria, that is when not walking his Airedale Terrier “Mikey.”
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Lions Member
Leonie Martin
Member since 2018.
Profile details: I was born in Birmingham, 1975 and attended Edgbaston Church of England College for Girls followed by King Edwards High School. I studied Psychology at Leeds University with a bright future as a forensic psychologist all mapped out. A part time job in a nightclub after graduation changed my career path entirely and I have spent the last twenty years working in the entertainment industry, specialising in operational management and venue marketing. I spent a number of glorious, sunny years living in Spain starting in Almeria then the Canary Islands on both Gran Canaria & Fuerteventura, finally settling in Mallorca where I bought a bar. As a result my Spanish is pretty good and I am partial to a nap in the afternoon…
I eventually returned to Birmingham and to the venue I love, The JamHouse. I am now Creative Director of the parent group Exeat, looking after three venues with more to come.
I was introduced to the great work the Lions do in the community by Stewart and Jeremy and I look forward to working with such a long established and well respected group.
Lions Member
Danielle Yang
Member since 2018.
Profile details: Born in Liaoning, China and came to the UK as an international student in 2006.I studied Business and Accounting at The University of Wolverhampton and continued my post graduate study MSC in Finance and Accounting.
I then moved to Birmingham as soon as I graduated. I was then a trainee accountant in a Chartered Accountant firm. After that I pursued a career in Ming Moon as the assistant manager. Currently I am working in a business consultant company. I was introduced to BCLC from Mr Wei Du who is also the member of the Lions.
As an individual you can have a limited impact but as part of a group you can achieve so much more. For my understanding, Lions Club is for the opportunity "To Serve" and this is the best reason for me to become a Lion and I would like to thank BCLC for giving me the chance to serve our community.
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Our member that will be sadly missed...
President - Passed Away - click on his picture to see his Memorial Page...
David Cox MJF
Birmingham Chinatown Lions Member since 2003 - 2014
Profile details: David Cox born in Barry South Glamorgan in 1955 moved to Birmingham in December 1980. David is a Commercial Manager for one of Birmingham’s leading casinos and has a partner who is also involved in the BCLC. Since his childhood David has supported various charities including RSPCA, Birmingham’s St Mary’s Hospice and Birmingham Acorns Hospice.
He joined the BCLC in 2003 and has served as Club Secretary 2004 / 2005, Club President 2005 / 2006 and was re-elected as Club President 2006 / 2007. In 2005 with other BCLC members David attended the 88th Lions Club International Convention in Hong Kong before travelling to Wu Shan in China for the opening of the Birmingham (UK) Chinatown Lions Club School.
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