Richard Bridges

Richard started his career with British Rail and worked with various companies including Sandersons. From 1977 Richard spent the next 20 year as Financial Director with Lonrho and in 1997 commenced working as a consultant. He is a founder member of the Business Investors Group.

Alan Holmes

Alan is chairman of WoodHolmes Group, a strategic consultancy with clients in the public and private sectors.  Alan has a strong background in sales, marketing and general management in knowledge based service businesses. Key competencies include facilitating strategy workshops, coaching and one on one mentoring.

Dr Ian Buckley-Golder

Since leaving his role as MD of Products & Systems at AEA Technology, Ian has taken a number of roles in business growth, technology development and leadership. Ian brings expertise in investment funding, technology, intellectual property and corporate governance in a range of technology sectors.

Dr Ann Bowan-Jones

Ann coaches senior players in making breakthroughs in their thinking and in unlocking the talent in their organisations. Her company Awaken has extensive experience in the management of innovation, change and complexity, and in accelerating the development of high-trust and high- performance teams and partnerships.

Heleen Kist

Heleen is Director of Skillcast a company offering strategy consulting and interim management in the areas of growth and innovation policy, management and funding.  Heleen combines a strong background in software, consumer goods and bio-technology commercialisation with experience in blue chip strategy; change management and venture financing.

Dr Neil Loxley

Neil is an experienced scientist and business leader who was the driving force in transforming Bede Scientific Instruments into Bede plc. Neil is experienced in growing a business and will be able to share this first-hand knowledge.

Nick Moore

Nick has over 25 years industrial experience, with 15 years at Board and General Manager level. In addition to his industrial experience, Nick spent three years as a consultant with Price Waterhouse Coopers. Nick now works with a small number of SME’s providing consultancy and mentoring support.

Dr Ian Robson

Ian is a highly qualified director of sales, marketing and business development, with extensive UK and international experience, most recently in the fields of biotechnology, healthcare, utilities and environmental services. He holds, or has held, a range of executive, non-executive and observer Board positions.

Colum Smith

Colum has led a non-traditional career path that has included teaching in Japan,  North East Business Development Director for  Eversheds Law firm and setting up Innovation Catalyst Ltd. In 2006 took an executive role with an e-trading start-up company.

Joanne Thompson

Joanne is a Director of Selling Strategies Limited, and works as an Interim Executive and Business Consultant, specialising in business turnaround, mergers, acquisitions, disposals and change management. She has over 15 years experience with blue chip companies in the IT and outsourcing industries.

Stuart Thompson

Stuart has more than 20 years’ experience in economic and regional development. Over the last decade he has been instrumental in introducing economic development concepts to the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. This has particularly been in the field of SME support and development.