Meet the Women in Leadership Group Members

Alison Day: Indium

Alison has worked for Indium Corporation for over 25 years, initially in the quality department and more recently as Operations Manager. She is now responsible for Quality, Production, Logistics, Warehouse and Health, Safety and Environment. Indium Corporation is a global producer of solders and related materials and in the UK manufactures solder paste for high-end industries including automotive, medical and aerospace, supplying customers throughout Europe, Middle-East and Africa. Indium have expanded by buying a small company in Germany and Alison is also responsible for Operations there. Alison loves to keep fit and have fun at the same time by doing Zumba.

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Bhavika Nesbitt: Wilson Partners

Bhavika is Regional Office Head and Client Director at Wilson Partners. She has experience and expertise in Corporation Tax Compliance, R&D Tax Credits, personal tax, due diligence, financial accounting and optimisation of financial processes and internal controls. Bhavika specialises in working closely with start-ups, particularly tech-based, from initial set-up, to funding, expansion, restructuring and much more.

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Catherine Roberts: Maber

Catherine is a qualified architect with over 10 years experience in various sectors. She has worked with key clients from all stages, inception through to completion. She works at Maber as a Project Architect and became an Associate in 2018.

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Charlie Metcalfe: Village Hotels

Charlie is an experienced Business Development professional supporting small to medium sized businesses to reach their ideal customers. She is currently the Director of Sales at Village Hotel, Swindon.

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Clair Henderson

Claire has 20 years of project management experience and is a specialist in delivering change and strategy. She recently led a successful conversion to Cloud and SaaS, followed by a merger and acquisition. With 10 years of HR experience up to Director level, Claire has extensive knowledge of tech start-ups and SMEs.

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Gurpreet Bains: Smart Connect Research

Gurpreet is the Chief Operating Officer of Smart Connect Research (SCR), a company specialising in data collection and management for hard-to-reach audiences across B2B, healthcare and niche expert sectors. SCR is known for its top-tier client service and innovative approach to accessing challenging markets. Gurpreet has been with the company since 2019, playing a key role in its rapid growth and operational success.

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Helen Richards: Roxburghe Estates

Helen is the Head of HR & PA to the Duke and Duchess of Roxburghe, she also supports the Managing Director and Finance Director of the Roxburghe Estate. The diverse estate in the Scottish Borders includes Floors Castle, farms, renewable energy projects and extensive residential properties. Helen has been with the estate since January 2019 and enjoys the variety of her role. In her spare time, she enjoys riding her horse and running with her dog.

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Jane Brookes: Capula

Jane is a Principal Protection Engineer at Capula, with over 30 years of experience in power transmission and distribution. Specialising in complete protection systems, she also has expertise in substation design, LVAC and battery systems, and control interfaces. Drawn to Capula for their capabilities in energy and industrial control systems, Jane values the company’s people-first approach. Outside of work, she mentors young girls in engineering through her role as a Brownie Leader with Staffordshire Girlguiding.

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Jakki Dean: Indium

Jakki is the Inside Sales and Business Services Manager for Indium Corporation’s European office, a company that manufactures advanced materials for the solar, thin film, semiconductor and electronics industries. With over 25 years of sales experience in the electronics industry, she has held roles in Inside Sales, Field Sales, and Sales Office Management, earning career progression through her performance. Jakki’s strengths lie in customer service, staff training, and improving departmental efficiencies. She also oversees finance, purchasing, and HR activities for Indium in Europe. In her spare time, Jakki is learning golf and competing in tournaments.
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Jo Harris: AT&C Professional Systems

Jo has been with AT&C for over 10 years and has extensive management experience in the construction and retail industries. AT&C provides high-quality audio-visual solutions for commercial markets, including hospitality and high street retail, with an impressive client list of globally recognised brands. Jo is a confident and motivated people person, dedicated to getting the best out of herself and others. She has also completed a Level 5 Online Diploma in HR.

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Julie Matira: CyberQ Group

Julie is an experienced cybersecurity professional, currently serving as SOC Manager and Cyber Security Technical Lead at CyberQ Group since November 2021. Prior to this, she was a Cyber Security Consultant at Verizon, where she honed her skills in security platforms, incident management, and threat intelligence. Julie has also held roles as a Network Security Analyst at Masergy, a Network Operations Engineer at DSM Manila LLC, and a Network Security Engineer at Smart Communications, Inc., developing extensive expertise in network monitoring and technical support. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communications Engineering from Southern Luzon State University.

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Kanak Mittal: Manitou Group

Kanak is a highly qualified professional with six years of experience. She is a Chartered Accountant, qualified ACCA, Company Secretary, and holds an LLB and B.Com (Hons). Her expertise spans financial reporting, hedging, taxation, audits, and contract negotiations. As a Company Secretary, she has managed corporate governance, legal documentation, and compliance with company laws. The ACCA qualification has enhanced her global perspective and expertise in IFRS and risk management. Kanak offers a strong blend of financial, legal, and corporate governance knowledge and is eager to contribute her skills in a dynamic professional environment.

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Katharina Hansen: TopCashback

Katharina describes herself as a well-organized, ambitious, curious and outgoing German currently working as a Team Lead and Marketing Executive for TopCashback Germany. Since she started at TopCashback she has developed leadership, good communications and excellent marketing skills. Katharina’s two Master’s degrees have helped her understand the importance of researching and planning strategies in all different aspects of life. Additionally, living and studying abroad has shown her that everything is possible, if you believe in it. Different cultures, different languages and different people will help you to extend your horizon and your thinking.

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Katy Tyrrell: Pyroban

Pioneer Safety Group, headquartered in the UK, provides industrial safety solutions worldwide, offering products and services such as explosion protection equipment, consultancy for hazardous area operations and fire risk management through seven brands: Pyroban, EXSolutions, Pyropress, Euro Access, Ex-tech Signalling, Ex-tech Solution and Petrel. As Head of HR, Katy is responsible for developing and implementing the HR strategy across all companies in the group, working with her team to shape the culture and drive meaningful ESG initiatives.

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Kay Taylor: Education Training Collective

Kay is an experienced senior manager with a track record of success in inspiring and developing people, teams, partnerships and organisations. She is a facilitative leader who is able to develop others and bring out the best from teams. Kay enjoys complex challenges and works well in difficult situations and with demanding people. A key strength is her ability to assess organisational risks and address them. She has sector experience in Education, Third Sector, Local Government (Housing), Retail and Police Authority.

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Keeret Eden: The Rooflight Co.

Keeret is the Innovation Manager at the Rooflight Company, having worked there for over 6 years. She initially joined the bespoke design team, then transitioned to Project Manager before focusing on customer insights to influence product development. Recently, Keeret took on marketing activities, managing content production, branding and messaging. She has enjoyed facilitating leadership sessions on customer insights and now serves as the manager representative on the Board of Trustees for their Employee Owned business. Always eager to learn and share knowledge, Keeret is passionate about personal and professional development.

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Mariana Pessoa: Managed Language

Mariana is an experienced Project Manager in the translation and localization industry, with a proven track record in negotiation, editing, management, localization, and writing. Skilled in overseeing complex projects, she brings a strong background in program and project management. Holding a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology from ISPA – Instituto Universitário, she combines her academic expertise with a practical approach to project execution.

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Maureen Jamieson: The Rooflight Co.

Maureen is an international Finance Director with a proven track record in both growth and recovery within the manufacturing sector. She operates at a C-Suite level with extensive experience in finance and HR, and has a strong drive to achieve business and personal targets. Maureen joined Rooflight as Finance Director in 2020 and is now Chief Operating Officer. A dynamic and capable leader, she thrives on challenges, taking initiative, solving problems and making key decisions across the organisation. Resilient under pressure, Maureen is passionate about delivering strategy, driving change and developing people and processes.

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Natalie Bitton: MasterStart

Natalie is the Head of People at MasterStart, an edtech business based in Cape Town, South Africa, that places human connection at the heart of flexible and fully supported online learning programmes. Natalie has been with the company for over four years and has successfully evolved MasterStart’s work model by implementing various initiatives to promote skills development, recruitment and B-BBEE regulations. In her role, she ensures the smooth functioning of the workplace and focuses on building a positive and inclusive work environment.

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Ruzha Sirmanova: Maber

Ruzha is an architect with experience across sectors such as education, public, residential (PRS & PBSA) and workplace. Currently at Maber Architects Ltd, she has led large and medium-scale projects, with a focus on refurbishment, restoration and urban design. Ruzha is passionate about sustainability and has developed a design tool to integrate the climate crisis into the design process, aiming for net zero, waste reduction and lower operational carbon. She is also involved in mentoring students, providing company-wide training in LCA and BIM, and is active in sustainability and diversity and inclusion working groups.

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Sarah Perry

Sarah has extensive executive and non-executive experience, currently serving as a Non-Executive Director at Lowell, where she chairs the subsidiary board of Overdales Ltd and champions Consumer Duty. She is also Chair of the Advisory Board at the Centre for the New Midlands CIC and a member of the Lord Chancellor’s advisory committee for the West Midlands. A former Managing Partner of a regional law firm, she now works as a Legal Consultant at Weightmans. Sarah is passionate about driving transformational change, creating value through customer and colleague experiences and has been recognised with several awards, including a Business Woman of the Year finalist and a Lawyer Hot 100 listee. She holds an Honorary Doctorate of Law from Coventry University and is always keen to explore new NED opportunities.
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Sharon Jones: ITS International Taste Solutions Ltd

With over 25 years of experience in accounts & finance, Sharon joined ITS as Financial Controller in 2016 and in addition, is now also Head of Customer Services, Finance & HR. She also provides accountancy services as MD at SNT Accountancy Ltd. Newbury-based business, International Taste Solutions (ITS), founded in 2009, was voted Thames Valley Business of the year in 2018. They continued to grow at a fast pace and are now active in 16 countries with plans to have sites all over the world. Sharon enjoys walking, reading and house renovating.

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Sharon Wood: Woodford Heating & Energy Ltd

Sharon is an HR/L&D Director with a proven track record in the construction industry where she has led and developed a successful HR department. She is skilled in the full employee life cycle, including attraction, recruitment, onboarding, development, performance management, disciplinaries, coaching, grievances, engagement, culture change, compliance and HR policies. Sharon is passionate about creating effective HR strategies that drive organisational success and foster a positive work culture. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors, running with dogs and horseriding.

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Srishti Tikkha: Manitou Group

Srishti is currently working at Manitou as a project coordinator majorly operating in business & Operational strategies. Her key specific skills include project management, Planning & initiation, Business Analysis (PowerBI), Database Management, UI Design & front-end development using MERN Stack. She belongs to an artificial intelligence background and has researched about small scale projects for development of AI drone using VR, Smart teaching system using IOT & other relevant tech domains. Srishti tends to plan her future ahead with a business focus in mind, working and developing strategies for business growth and market reach. She is on her way from being a nerdy wanderer to the Forbes list.

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Tamara Harris: Vitra Bathrooms

Tamara trained as an accountant with a local chartered accountancy firm before holding several finance roles across industries including hotel, construction and motor vehicles. She achieved Fellow Membership with the Association of Accounting Technicians. Between 1999 and 2015, she held roles as financial accountant, financial controller and finance director in the public transport industry, where she completed a membership with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. Tamara was involved in group acquisitions and innovation projects alongside managing financial reporting. She is now Senior Finance & HR Manager at VitrA Bathrooms, a leading manufacturer of high-quality sanitaryware and bathroom accessories.

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Vanessa Allan: Samuel Health

Vanessa is an experienced Head of Marketing at Samuel Heath, having been with the company since March 2022. With a background in luxury goods marketing, she previously worked as Marketing Manager at Mobelli Furniture + Living for over five years. Vanessa also has experience as Showroom & Marketing Manager at Artefect Antiques & Interiors in South Africa and as Marketing Manager at Samuel Heath earlier in her career. Her expertise spans brand marketing, inbound marketing, project management and public relations. Vanessa brings a wealth of knowledge in marketing management to her current role.

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Vierka Hiscock: Care Horizons

Vierka is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in management, healthcare and social care. She led Care Horizons to participate in the 2018 Parliamentary Review into Social Care and received the Healthcare Service of the Year award at the Bristol Prestige Awards in 2020. Vierka was featured as a Women Leader in the Official Platinum Jubilee Pageant commemorative album in 2022 and celebrated the Queen’s birthday at Claridge’s. In 2023, she and her team contributed to a book marking King Charles III’s birthday, highlighting the positive changes she has brought to Care Horizons.

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