Supplier Summit 2025

Simon Forrester

CEO, SSA UK

Simon joined the Self Storage Association UK in September 2025, having previously led a range of trade associations and professional bodies at the UK and European level across such diverse sectors as jewellery, construction, healthcare, business tourism and public health pest control. He is responsible for the strategic direction of SSA UK and leadership of the staff team. Simon has an MBA from Birmingham City University.

Andy Marks

Keeper's Cottage

Andy joined the SSA UK Board in June 2023 as the supplier representative and is looking forward to helping to shape the lines of communication and opportunities available to all suppliers. Andy is a Director of Keepers Cottage Services, who have been supplying auction and clearance services in the self-storage sector for the past 7 years, and is a keen advocate of best practice.

Helen Bourke

SSA UK

Helen is Operations Director at the Self Storage Association, taking up post in March 2019.  Previously, Helen was Director of Membership Services at the Association of Employment and Learning Providers, a not-for-profit, national membership organisation where she spent 8 years working across membership, communications and events. Prior to this, Helen spent 12 additional years in the education, learning and training sector and a number of years working within the corporate sector.

She is passionate about the ‘member’ journey, great customer service and communications.

Christel Land

Clover 4

Christel Land is a popular business coach/consultant and an experienced sales and marketing trainer with extensive experience working in the self storage industry.  She regularly delivers sales, service, and marketing training sessions for the SSA UK and FEDESSA.  She started out in self storage over 20 years ago and since then she has worked at every level of the industry. It is this experience she brings to her training and coaching. Christel also works with web design and specializes in building smart booking systems for self storage websites. She is the author of the only book to date on sales in the self storage industry.  Combining her engaging training style with an enormous amount of industry knowledge, Christel will give you all the tools you need to grow your sales skills and improve your performance.

Lee Ali

Expo Stars Interactive

Lee Ali is the Founder and Managing Director of Expo Stars Interactive, a global trade-show performance agency based in Manchester. For more than 18 years, he has helped organisations worldwide plan and deliver exhibitions that generate measurable business growth. Lee is an experienced international speaker and trainer, known for his practical, people-focused approach to trade show strategy. His expertise spans attendee engagement, stand team performance, and lead-conversion techniques, all honed through working with exhibitors and organisers at major events across Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia. Whether guiding first-time exhibitors or seasoned event professionals, Lee inspires audiences to create meaningful connections on the show floor and achieve results long after the event ends.