Aiden Keegan: Esquires Coffee
Aiden has more than 20 years’ experience in the food and beverage industry, with strong skills in franchisee and supplier relationship as well as optimisation of operational systems. Aiden has been with Esquires for more than 14 years and was Operations Manager in Ireland before taking up his current role.
Allan Wilson: Wilson Partners
Having always had the ambition to have his own business, in February 2008, Allan left the City where he worked as an accountant for UBS Deutsche Bank and Credit Suisse to start with his brother Chris a chartered accountancy and business advisory firm in the Thames Valley.
Two years later with a small team, Allan joined MD2MD and after eight years leads a successful business with 30 staff and which consistently delivers double digit growth year on year.
Wilson partners are not a typical small firm of accountants. Whilst they have the credentials and breadth of service to match the large firms they are themselves an ambitious owner managed business and so aim to work with like minded clients to solve the headaches of businesses ‘on a mission’.
Anna Younger: eComplete
Bio to follow
Andrea Millington: Preedy Glass
Preedy Glass is a family run business which was established in 1913. Andrea has extensive experience in HR, H&S, finance and internal operational processes, software etc. She excels at problem solving, planning and driving the change. Preedy Glass’s mission is to exceed clients expectations by mirroring quality products with outstanding customer service.
Andrea’s love for nature, animals and helping others led her to become a service dogs trainer and also dog support to rescue services.
Antonia Dixey: Participation People
A recognized leader in Gen Z engagement, Antonia leverages her experience across charity, private, and public sectors, including roles at St John Ambulance and the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, to fuel her passion for social change. Through Participation People, she empowers businesses, charities, and the public sector to develop youth-driven strategies, transforming Gen Z from passive consumers into active agents of innovation and social good.
Brian Craig: Indium Corporation
Founded in 1934, Indium Corporation is a long-standing US based family business. It is an advanced materials company mostly focused at Electronics Assembly Industries. Managing Director Brian Craig has been with the business 30 years. He started in Technical Sales in the UK, then Europe where he developed a rudimentary Continental Sales Channel Partner network. He then moved to headquarters in New York to become Corporate Programs Manager, a Multi functional/training position. He subsequently returned to Europe as MD.
Caroline Levey: OceanWise
Caroline’s love of the sea and geography converged in her dream career. After a Masters in GIS, she developed the system now widely used at the Port of London Authority. Subsequent roles at Metoc (Intertek) and SeaZone saw her create GIS software for companies like Airbus and build SeaZone Marine Data Products. Now at OceanWise, alongside Mark, Mike and John, she’s developed superior data products and GIS port software, while also offering GIS training. Passionate about data management, she aims to help the marine industry work more efficiently. Outside of work, she enthusiastically supports her children’s sporting endeavors, trading competitive sports for taxi and pit crew duties on muddy fields, while also serving as Club Secretary for their cycling club, the Solent Pirates.
Charles Dall'Omo: Train Together
Charles’ vision is to facilitate sustainable positive impact in the local communities in which he works and lives by enabling employers and individuals to develop skills and the confidence that will revolutionise their everyday lives and gain qualifications that recognise the excellence of the service they provide. The mission of Train Together is to develop a more employable and content workforce, to provide individuals with more opportunities, more confidence, and a deeper skills base. Ultimately, they are committed to the promotion of a more prosperous society for all.
Chris Williams: Biotage
Biotage is a Global Impact Tech Company committed to solving society’s problems. They offer workflow solutions and products to customers in drug discovery and development, analytical testing and water and environmental testing. Biotage is contributing to sustainable science with the goal to make the world healthier, greener and cleaner – HumanKind Unlimited. Their customers span a broad range of market segments including pharmaceutical, biotech, contract research and contract manufacturers as well as clinical, forensic and academic laboratories in addition to organizations focused on food safety, clean water and environmental sustainability.
Chris Ward: Hemlow
Chris is Managing Director and a shareholder of Hemlow Ltd. Hemlow is an organisation of M&E experts which deliver technical maintenance to make buildings better – today and tomorrow. Chris is particularly interested in the application of continual improvement, smart technology and sustainability within the sector. He’s a father of two girls, and keen on downhill sports to unwind and re-charge.
Damian Bellusci - Ransom Naturals
Damian is a seasoned executive with a proven track record of driving growth and operational efficiency in the global flavors and sweeteners industry. He possesses a deep understanding of complex matrix organisations and has a knack for formulating and executing successful strategies.
With a strong focus on leadership development, Damian empowers teams to achieve exceptional results. His global experience and strategic mindset make him a valuable asset for board advisory roles.
Francois Lepretre: Smart Connect Research
Francois was the first employee of SCR and initially built and led the operations team in London. He began his career in market research as a telephone interviewer, progressing to positions in recruitment and training, human resources, and fieldwork management. He is now in charge of SCR and leads teams around the globe.
George Skinner: Total Project Integration
A highly motivated and dedicated construction professional, George is a Chartered Member of the CIOB. With a first-class honors degree in Construction Management, he has a proven track record of delivering successful projects, consistently striving for excellence.
George excels in leadership and strategic thinking, particularly in technical and portfolio delivery. Their recent experience encompasses a diverse range of projects, including commercial workspace centers, residential refurbishments, high-end mixed-use developments, infrastructure improvements, education centers, and alternative fuel strategic studies.
Currently, George is a key member of Total Project Integration, where he contributes to providing comprehensive project management, quantity surveying, contract administration, and principal designer services to the UK development industry.
Graeme Fell: Cheshire Farm Ice Cream
The Fell family has been creating award-winning Cheshire Farm Ice Cream for over 30 years. As the business started to grow, people would visit the farm in order to purchase the delicious ice cream and with
growing numbers, The Ice Cream Farm tourist attraction was born. The site, which sits adjacent to the Cheshire Farm Ice Cream production unit that supplies over 1000 pubs, restaurants and retail units throughout the UK, has expanded dramatically with time and currently attracts well over half a million visitors a year.
Henry Waddilove: Novus Business Connections
Henry is Managing Director at Novus Business Connections. He has a breadth of experience in sales and business development and has also founded two companies, one in the art industry and one in men’s watches. Henry loves to run in his spare time and has been training to run 100k. Novus Business Connections are a high-level telemarketing agency specialising in primarily appointment setting for their clients. Novus operates with integrity and transparency and are experts in generating new business opportunities with a simple and clear return on investment.
Ian Bray: GSS Architecture
GSSArchitecture was founded in 1879, making them one of the longest established architectural practices in the country. As Managing Partner Ian is responsible for accounting, financial, and business management (including legal contractual matters) within the practice. He is also a Chartered Quantity Surveyor and a Project Manager, and responsible for these two disciplines within GSS. Ian has experience in various sectors, particularly the education and commercial sectors, and he can provide advice on the various forms of procurement, contracts and professional appointments.
Jaap Röell: Roxburghe Estates
In 2020 Jaap joined Roxburghe Estates in the leading role of Managing Director. The Roxburghe Estates covers 52,000 acres of the Scottish Borders countryside ranging from the Cheviot Hills and the moorland of the Lammermuirs, to the Tweed valley. It is also one of the most highly regarded sporting estates in Scotland and a year-round tourism destination. At the heart of the organisation and its commercial enterprises of farming, sporting, forestry, property and bloodstock is Floors Castle; one of Scotland’s most historic stately homes and the family home of the 11th Duke of Roxburghe. Roxburghe Estates’ heritage and its long term investment in the management of the Estate aims to safeguard and enhance its assets future for generations to come, while providing employment and a positive impact for the community in the Borders.
Jane Hewitt-Hall: Total Project Integration
Jane has led the senior management team since 2009. She has over 25 years’ experience in general management and human resources. In addition to her role as Managing Director, she is an active member of the CIPD mentoring team.
Jonathan Elliott: Epro
Jonathan is an accomplished MD with extensive leadership experience across multiple industry sectors. He is a highly energised and driven leader who thrives on challenge and has a passion for Healthcare Tech and helping NHS clients be productive and deliver better patient care. He has significant experience leading large teams on a journey of change and business turnaround. Jonathan has strong commercial skills and business acumen, together with a passion for marketing and business development. He is a proven people manager who excels at delivering above and beyond expectations whilst equally encouraging people to be the best they can be.
Lee Jackson - North West London Procurement Services
Lee is an experienced international executive, bringing a broad suite of experiences and capabilities from his career across financial services, aviation, engineering, retail, health and the wider public sector. Lee is an authentic leader who leads with a value focus to build trusted and enduring relationships.
Lee possesses excellent stakeholder management skills and is skilled at navigating complex organisations. More recently, at the NHS Lee led the establishment of the multi award winning shared Procurement service for North West London across England’s largest Independent Care System Improving service user experience, access and population health outcomes through effective procurement.
Lee Wilmshurst: Steel Build
Lee is currently MD of Steel Build Ltd and MD of Steel Build training school, a Pro Qual accredited NVQ training centre. Under Lee’s leadership since 2007, Steel Build thrived, overcoming recession and COVID challenges whilst maintaining healthy margins. Utilising a digital platform to create automated processes, analysing P&L accounts and a restructure, Lee has managed to support a high street gym to increase their Net profits by 400%. Awards, including Supply Chain Partner of the Year, showcase Lee’s commitment to excellence.
Mark Rose: Tracker Network
Currently MD of Tracker, the UK’s most successful vehicle recovery application. A proven record of deal making, closing multi-million pound contracts with large multinationals and driving growth through sustainable partner programmes. Strong capability to develop and implement strategic programmes to drive business improvement, whilst ensuring senior level stakeholder support. Excellent people skills with ability to build, manage, and motivate high-performing teams.
Martyn Whieldon: Samuel Heath
Martyn is Managing Director of Samuel Heath, with a strong international sales background in interiors and is fluent in French and German.
Samuel Heath is a genuine British manufacturer of luxury brassware for bathrooms, doors and windows, employing 135 highly skilled craftsmen and -women. It is over two centuries since the first machines began to turn at Samuel Heath’s factory in Birmingham.
Martyn is a huge Stoke City fan and regularly attends games with his father and son.
Matt Goddard: Thirsty Six Twenty Six
With over a decade of experience in corporate and entrepreneurial settings, Matt founded Thirty-Six Twenty-Six Limited to empower family businesses and individuals. As a seasoned executive coach and mentor, Matt supports leaders in leveraging their strengths and achieving their goals. His qualifications include a postgraduate certificate in Advanced Executive Coaching and Mentoring from the University of the West of England, and certifications from the Institute of Leadership and Management and Strengthscope. Additionally, Matt is a freelance trainer and an NHS Accelerate LEAN Delivery Coach, dedicated to driving positive change and human potential.
Michael Pace: ZCJ Consulting Ltd
Michael has more than 30 years commercial and procurement leadership experience across the UK and North America in the NHS, retail and manufacturing sectors. Until summer 2023, Michael was MD at NHS London Procurement Partnership. Prior to this, he was based in Chicago, where he led and oversaw e-auctions for a number of blue chip organisations including WalMart, before returning to the United Kingdom and joining the NHS. He specialised in procurement, with notable roles in Great Ormond Street and the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency. Before joining NHS LPP, Michael was a director at the NHS Business Services Authority before transferring into NHS Supply Chain. After a wonderful 4 1/2 years at NHS LPP, Michael set up on his own again. Through ZCJ Consulting Ltd, he works in procurement and transformation roles as well as supporting HealthTech companies bring their developments into the Health Sector.
Mike Bagshaw: International Taste Solutions
Mike is Managing Director of International Taste Solutions (I.T.S.) who stand for bringing innovative, tailor-made and bang-on-trend flavours and textures to food, drinks and snacks. From an early entrepreneurial career that began by selling Spitting Image characters in his primary school playground, to becoming founder of a multi-million-pound specialist flavour supplier to the food industry, Mike Bagshaw is a man who knows the taste of success. His Newbury-based business, International Taste Solutions (ITS) which was founded in 2009 was voted Thames Valley Business of the year 2018 and has continued to grow at a fast pace.
Naomi Macey: Homes in Sedgemoor
Naomi joined Homes in Sedgemoor in 2019 and is responsible for all property related services including responsive repairs, void management and planned investment. A key part of her role is ensuring that homes are safe, warm and meet all regulatory requirements. Prior to joining Homes in Sedgemoor, Naomi worked for Charter Housing Association (part of the Pobl Group) in Wales for around 20 years covering various roles including housing management, lettings, customer services and asset management. Naomi has a Law Degree, holds a level 7 in Strategic Management & Leadership and is a Chartered Construction Manager with the Chartered Institute of Builders.
Nick Birtwistle: Boom Coms Ltd
Nick is an experienced leader with over 25 years in Telecoms across Consumer and Enterprise markets. He has developed and launched products in every customer segment, from consumer through to multi-national corporate. With 20+ years’ experience in Vodafone, leading teams of all sizes across direct and indirect channels. He formed a start-up in 2018 to disrupt the Telecoms market for SMEs. He has three daughters who keep him busy and a dog (female of course!). In his spare time he enjoys playing with new technology and mountain biking, even on cold wintery nights!
Niël Malan: Tagent Solutions
Niël Malan has a wide ranging experience in IP Networking, Cloud Networking, product development and general IT systems and processes. After running a computer retail business for a couple of years, he started at Telkom SA where he lead the technical development of a Next Generation access product. Niël also played a role as marketing product manager for voice over internet services. With a keen interest in business and strong background in telecommunications Niël is always looking for new or untapped markets and opportunities. Niël is one of the founding members of Jurumani Solutions, a Telecommunications Product Development and consulting company.
Ralph Egas: abstraction
Ralph’s passion for gaming started way back with the venerated Commodore 64 and Amiga consoles. He honed his programming skills in industry for many years but the desire for autonomy and creative freedom led him to establish abstraction in 2007 as a Sole Proprietor. Nowadays, they’re a corporation with over 80 staff members. Ralph now leaves much of the actual coding to the wonderfully talented abstraction team and besides being a guardian of their core values, he spends much of his time researching and envisioning new business opportunities, gaming concepts and technologies, so they can stay ahead of the curve.
Richard Newman: AT&C Professional Systems Ltd
AT&C provide high quality audio visual solutions for commercial markets, which currently include the hospitality and high street retail verticals. Boosting an impressive reference list of some of the most well known brands in the world.AT&C provide high quality audio visual solutions for commercial markets, which currently include the hospitality and high street retail verticals. Boosting an impressive reference list of some of the most well known brands in the world.
Rick Lorenzo: Inventive Creations Ltd
Rick is the owner and Managing Director of Inventive Creations. Inventive Creations is proud to offer the most comprehensive range of shower seal designs and products in the UK. They have been involved with bathrooms and shower room design, installation and after sales for over 20 years and they put all of their knowledge and expertise into their products and services. The company recently moved from Leybourne to a larger premises in Sittingbourne, Kent, to cope with their expanding business and product range.
Rohit Thakral: Target Integration
Rohit is an Entrepreneur & Business Automation Consultant experienced in working for businesses from Manufacturing to Finance and from Retail to Distribution. He has been running Target Integration since 2008 and has been successful in converting it to a mid-size CRM spread in 4 countries. Rohit has experience in managing large CRM and ERP Implementation projects & Software Development projects. At Target Integration, he has successfully delivered a number of projects to clients from around the world (literally from Japan to West Coast in the US) and has been consulting their CRM & ERP implementations on a regular basis. Rohit has delivered a number of training courses on various business & software-related topics and has lectured as a guest lecturer for Dublin Business School & Technological University Dublin.
Sarah Perry: Weightmans
Sarah has extensive executive and non executive experience. She is currently a legal representative at Weighmans, previsouly a non executive director of Lowell UK and Overdales Ltd. Audit a Risk Committee member. Executive and Board Advisory and Executive and Leadership coach. Combines strategic, P&L and commercial experience with leading transformational change and growth whilst creating value through engaging customer and colleague experiences.
Former Managing Partner of large regional law firm. With a creative mindset to find practical solutions that add value, she combines vision, innovation and agile management to leverage opportunities, safeguard interests and drive organisational and cultural change. She was recently awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Law from Coventry University.
Simon Coombs: Capula
35+ years delivering IT/OT digital transformation for asset-intensive industries. Deep expertise in utilities (generation, distribution, retail, metering), oil & gas, chemicals, metals, defense, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and infrastructure. Proven leader in strategy, change management, and program delivery. Extensive experience in nuclear, low carbon energy, and smart grid technologies. Successful track record in growing and exiting technology companies.
Specialties: General management, business development, program management, solution architecture, energy & utility industry solutions, smart meters, smart grids, intelligent operations, advanced analytics.
Steve Abbott: Woodford Heating & Energy Ltd
Having worked in the building services and construction industry for 21 years, Steve has been fortunate to have experience ranging across numerous industry sectors and spanning both public and private sector projects. The growth and increasing use of digital solutions in construction is something Steve is passionate about being at the forefront in his current position of Managing Director at Woodford Heating and Energy, whilst always maintaining focus on Quality & their Customers. Additionally, ensuring the long-term sustainability of their industry through apprenticeship and training programmes is something at the heart of Steve’s, and the company’s corporate values, to help build the successful and skilled workforce that the sector so greatly requires.
Steve Noakes: Pioneer Safety Group and Pyroban Limited
Steve Noakes is a leader in industrial safety solutions, dedicating most of his career to this field, particularly at Pyroban. After earning his mechanical engineering degree and gaining industry experience, he joined Pyroban in the 1990s as Engineering Manager. Steve’s focus on teamwork and customer needs helped Pyroban grow through operational excellence and quality systems across Europe and China. He later returned to the UK as Operations Director, overseeing the transition under Caterpillar ownership and then led Pyroban under new private ownership. As Managing Director, Steve’s vision expanded Pyroban’s offerings, resulting in the formation of the Pioneer Safety Group. He currently leads the group, fostering a positive work environment while driving product development, efficiency, and shareholder value.
Steve Webber: The Rooflight Company
Steve Webber is Managing Director of the Rooflight Company based in Oxfordshire. Appointed during its infancy in 1993 as one of a team of four, today Steve is part of the Leadership Team delivering a sustainable growth strategy for the benefit of over 70 Co-owners. Guided by their principles of a values led culture, innovation & sustainability, they offer an environment so all employees can develop to their full potential. Steve is married to Sally with two daughters Lucy and Chloe.
Stuart Hadley: CyberQ Group
An experienced IT and Cyber Security professional with a demonstrated history of working in global markets within IT Service Delivery, Operations and Cyber Security.