Fiona has worked in positions of both artistic and executive leadership, with organisations including Curve Theatre, Wales Millennium Centre, Sydney Film Festival, and Sydney Opera House. Fiona was appointed Artistic Director & Chief Executive of Birmingham Hippodrome in October 2015 and since then has taken the organisation on a journey of transformation, more than […]
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Chris is a PR and communications expert with 30 years’ experience. She was appointed Managing Director at McCann PR in 2007, taking full control of the PR, social and influencer operation. Since then, she has spearheaded its success and established a track record for targeted, influential and award-winning campaigns, winning CIPR Agency of the Year […]
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Nasir is Chief Executive Officer, Awan Marketing Plc; Director of Awan Marketing International Limited; and Director of Awan Property Investments Limited. Nasir started in the retail business in 1978, joining his late father. In 1980 he set up a consumer electronics wholesale operation, becoming one of UK’s major distributors. Awan Marketing is now […]
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Lawrence is a specialist consultant and adviser in the skills and training sector. For over two decades he served as the Managing Director of GB Training and expanded the group into the hospitality industry, which now incorporates three venues, employing over 100 staff. He is an active community leader and equalities campaigner, and is […]
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Paul is Chief Executive of Real Estate Investors plc, the Birmingham based AIM listed property investment REIT. Paul is also founder and non-executive Chairman of Bond Wolfe (founded in 1983) and formerly non-executive Chairman of CP Bigwood Chartered Surveyors. Paul served as President of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and was formerly the Regional […]
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Louise is the Chief Executive of Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce – a post she has held since February 2003. Her career has spanned both the private and public sectors including the NHS and retail. She has also undertaken lecturing on Masters in Business Administration and has run her own small business. […]
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Anita is currently Chair of Performances Birmingham PLC (Town Hall and Symphony Hall), Chair of Creative City Partnership, Director of Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership), Non-Executive Director Birmingham Women’s Hospital, and Chancellor of Birmingham Children’s University. Anita is also a member of Council at Warwick University and a Governor of the Royal […]
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Gurpreet has been a Partner in Harbans Singh & Co Solicitors since 2000, practising in Commercial/Residential Property Law and Immigration Law. He is Senior Responsible Officer (Lexcel) within the firm. He is currently expanding an International arm to the business in India, for clients seeking investment in the UK. He works closely with the Indian […]
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During his 20 years as a Partner at KPMG, Richard was a Managing Director and UK Board member for the firm’s Management Consulting and then Corporate Finance businesses. He was also Chairman of the Centre for Manufacturing Consultancy and non-executive Chairman of KPMG’s UK Automotive Practice for 7 years. He has been Chairman or […]
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Dame Christine served as Chairman of Birmingham Children’s Hospital and as Chairman of the Birmingham Women’s Hospital following a long and successful career as Principal and Chief Executive of one of the largest Colleges of Further and Higher Education in England. She held the position of President of the Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce […]
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Elisabeth has over 40 years experience in health services. She has chaired Strategic Health Authorities, NHS Trusts, served as NED or advisor in the private sector and charities and is currently chairing Eastern Academic Health Sciences Network and Walsall Refugee and Asylum Seeker Support Association, and is Chair of Accord Housing Group and a team […]
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David has more than 30 years senior experience in the development and implementation of communications programmes starting his career on West Midlands newspapers before entering the world of PR, communications and reputation management. He established his own company in 1986. Today, Clarke Associates advises some of the Midlands leading organisations. David has a wide […]
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Brendan served in the Royal Navy, the Civil Service and private sector before joining Lucas Aerospace in 1987 as Personnel Director. He held senior management appointments in Lucas Aerospace and Lucas Automotive, and following its takeover by TRW as MD Electric Steering Division. He was Chief Executive Officer of Cosworth Racing Ltd within Ford’s` Premier […]
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After gaining a doctorate in chemistry from the University of Birmingham John worked initially as a chemist in the plastics industry. Later, becoming a chartered management accountant, he had a career as finance director in manufacturing later moving to the service sector (passenger transport) where he became Managing Director in the largest independent operator in […]
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Stuart is Vice-Chancellor and President of University of Warwick. He is responsible for ensuring the delivery of excellence in education and research within the region, nationally and internationally. He leads of team of over 6,634 people supporting some 26,531 students. During his career Stuart has contributed to many publications, focused on constructivist and cultural […]
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Heidi is a Consultant in Transfusion Medicine for NHS Blood and Transplant. She studied medicine at Charing Cross Hospital Medical School, London and St John’s College, Cambridge before completing her postgraduate training in haematology, medical education and health care management. Col Doughty commanded 202 (Midlands) Field Hospital (V). As a military adviser, she […]
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Professor Sir David Eastwood became Vice-Chancellor of the University of Birmingham in April 2009. Former posts include Chief Executive at the Higher Education Funding Council for England, Vice-Chancellor at the University of East Anglia, and Chief Executive of the Arts and Humanities Research Board. His early career was spent at the University of Oxford, where […]
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Liz has an Insurance career spanning 50 years for the last 13 of which she led a Stourbridge based independent Insurance Broking firm which was one of the first in the UK to achieve Chartered status with the Chartered Insurance Institute. In 2005 she joined the board of The Faculty of Insurance Brokers at […]
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David worked as an economist in London, before moving to the West Midlands in 1979 to work at the Walsall Chamber of Commerce. He was appointed Chief Executive of this organisation and then East Mercia Chamber before moving across to Coventry and Warwickshire where he was Chief Executive of the Business Link and the Chamber. […]
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Professor Gatrad qualified at Leeds University and is Professor of Paediatrics and Child Health at the Universities of Kentucky (USA) and Wolverhampton. He has served the NHS for 45 years and holds a consultant post at the Manor Hospital in Walsall. He holds a National award for Clinical Excellence, has written 2 textbooks and […]
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Chris Ham is chief executive of The King’s Fund and emeritus professor of health policy and management at the University of Birmingham. He has held posts at a number of universities and was director of strategy in The Department of Health between 2000 and 2004, working with ministers on NHS reform. Chris is an honorary […]
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Steve has a wealth of experience within the professional and financial sector having had an illustrious career at KPMG spanning 30 years. Serving on KPMG’s Boards for the UK, Europe and EMA, as well as Chairman of KPMG’s Midlands practice, Steve was one of the firm’s senior partners, working with local and global companies. Steve […]
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Frederik was born in Hong Kong and grew up in London. He spent the first 12 years of his career working in corporate finance roles before taking over as Chief Executive, and latterly Chairman, of the Firmin Group in Birmingham. Since 2006, he has been Executive Deputy Chairman of NMS International Group, where his work […]
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Sakhawat is a University lecturer specialising in mechanical manufacturing engineering, motor sports and civil engineering. Currently he is a member of the Faculty of Construction, Engineering and Built Environment at Birmingham City University. He has previously worked in Saudi Arabia and Malaysia. He is an inventor, innovator and entrepreneur promoting research in nano technology […]
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Ninder is the owner of the Nachural Group of companies which include a recording company and an events company which established the Signature Awards and the Nachural Entrepreneurship Awards. A serial entrepreneur, Ninder has been very active in the Black Country and was President of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, and has been […]
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Deirdre is Professor of Paediatric Hepatology at the University of Birmingham, Consultant Paediatric Hepatologist and Founding Director of the Liver Unit for Birmingham Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. She set up the Liver Unit at Birmingham Children’s Hospital which provides a national and international service for children with liver failure and undergoing liver transplantation, transforming […]
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In 1973 Sukhjinder became the Managing Director of KTC Edibles Ltd. in Wednesbury, when it employed 25 people with a turnover of 6.5 million. Today it supplies food ingredients globally, turning over in excess of 200 million and employing around 250 people. Through his business activities, Sukhjinder has made many commercial contacts within multi-cultural communities, […]
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Mick is currently CEO of ExtraCare Charitable Trust, a charity that builds and operates retirement villages (including the largest in Europe) and also operates a portfolio of charity shops. Previous positions include CEO of The Student Loans Company and CEO of Advantage West Midlands. Mick has also held a number of non-executive positions […]
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Geoff Layer has been the Vice Chancellor of the University of Wolverhampton since August 2011. He graduated from Newcastle Polytechnic with a LLB(Hons) and entered a teaching and research career initially in Manchester and then in Luton. He joined the Sheffield Business School in 1983 as a Lecturer in Law. Whilst at Sheffield Hallam […]
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Martin is Visiting Professor for Health, Education and Life Science at Birmingham City University as well as being the founder and business development director of Medical Devices Technology Limited, a specialist company for the supply of NHS medical devices and services. Previous positions include, Royal Army Ordnance Corp Ammunition Technician, Export Manager at J.C. […]
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Beverly is the founder and general manager of Diamond Travel. Throughout Beverly’s career and the building of her travel agent business, Beverly has always found the time and energy to provide a selfless service to the development of her local community and her beloved country – Jamaica. Over the years, this has been borne […]
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Chris has recently completed a 30-year career with Deloitte, the international professional services firm. Joining the embryonic management consulting division of Deloitte (then Touche Ross and Co,) in Birmingham in 1987, he has worked both nationally and internationally with the firm. He was admitted to partnership in 1993, led the Technology Consulting practice from 2002-2010 […]
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Jenny is the founder of Loynton and Co, one of the largest Chinese law firms in the West Midlands. She has over 25 years commercial law consultancy working experiences, mainly specialising in cases of business acquisition and restructuring, property investment, commercial disputes and foreign investment and financing. She has represented numerous leading British enterprises dealing […]
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Wade came to Britain from Jamaica to join his parents when he was seven years old. He helped in the family business, a service and petrol station, while still at school. He graduated in 1986 with a BA in Education specialising in Craft, Design & Technology, and started his working life in the catering industry […]
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Rajinder is an advocate for social justice and equality working in the community and education sectors. She has held a number of senior roles in education and continues to work in the field of governance and holds various committee roles at a local and national level. She is a Reader for The Queen’s Anniversary […]
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George spent most of his career with construction company Galliford, including ten years as Chief Executive. Since retiring he has been involved as non-executive Chairman and Director with a number of construction businesses, and is chair of Arden Estate Partnerships based in Coventry providing estate solutions to the healthcare sector. He has particular interests […]
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Katharine is an Olympic 400m medallist and former World number one. In 2001 she was the fastest woman in the World over 400 metres distance. She has competed represented Great Britain, competing in two European Championships, four World Championships and two Olympic Games. Medals won include a bronze medal in Sydney 2000 Olympics 400 metres […]
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Hamid is an internationally acclaimed Manufacturing Leader with a wide-ranging experience base in the Automotive and Aerospace Sectors. He joined Rolls-Royce in 2001 from BMW Group where he was Director of New Product Programmes. In his current role as Director of Manufacturing, Rolls-Royce plc, Hamid is responsible for leading the Manufacturing strategies, partnerships and activities […]
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Les joined Jaguar in 1973 after completing 5 years service with the Regular Army – Parachute Regiment. He has served for 31 years with the Reserves and risen to the rank of Major. In 1998 he was appointed Head of Community Relations and was responsible for the introduction of a Community Relations Strategy into […]
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Ian is a trauma and orthopaedic surgeon posted to the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham. He has deployed variously to Falklands, Bosnia, Kosovo, Sierra Leone, Iraq, Oman, Afghanistan, Kenya, Guyana and South Sudan. He has held appointments as CA and DCA Trauma and Orthopaedics. Ian has been […]
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Sir Paul was born in Coventry and joined the Warwickshire and Coventry Constabulary in 1969. He subsequently served in a variety of roles in West Midlands Police before moving to Northamptonshire as a Superintendent in 1988. He was appointed Assistant Chief Constable of Kent Constabulary in 1992 before being promoted to Deputy Chief Constable of […]
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Fleur Sexton is the Chief Executive and co-founder of multi-ward winning PET-Xi Training, one of the most hard-hitting and dynamic training providers in the UK with a reputation for success with the hardest to reach people. Deeply committed to changing lives through education and employment, since 1995 she and her team have delivered impact, […]
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Satya is a retired General Medical Practitioner following 36 years in the NHS and 31 years as a GP. He was previously Chairman of the Local Medical committee in Wolverhampton for 8 years and was a member of the General Medical Practitioners Committee BMA representing Black Country GPs for 9 years. He has been a […]
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Abdullah came to the UK from Nigeria in 1986. Moved to Coventry in 1993 and became a Consultant Neurologist in 1996. He was a Clinical Director for eight years then Divisional Medical Director for four years. Community work has involved being the Chairman of Muslim Doctors and Dentist Association (UK) a registered charity for […]
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Chris joined the Metropolitan Police in 1980. Following service in Central London he ran an estates policing pilot in South Acton and then joined a New Scotland Yard policy group with responsibility for estates and inner city policing. This work included a secondment to the London City Action Team. In 1994 he transferred to Staffordshire […]
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Clive is CEO of LCS Professional Services Ltd a consultancy company. He has recently retired as Chairman and CEO of the company he founded in 1987, which operated 50 full facility contracts throughout the Midlands. In addition to his company responsibilities, Clive is Chair of Trustees of the Severn Trent Trust Fund, a member […]
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Dave was appointed as Chief Constable of West Midlands Police in 2016, having been Deputy Chief Constable since 2010 when he oversaw the start of the force’s change programme, WMP2020. His career highlights included working on the Manchester Olympic bid and leading work on New Deal for East Manchester. He commanded the main policing […]
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Sir Nigel is currently Chair of the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management. Previously he was Executive Director of the Schwarzman Scholars Programme based in New York and London. He was Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Warwick from 2006-2016. As Vice-Chancellor, he implemented an extensive capital plan; achieving a large increase in research […]
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Paul is the CEO of the NEC Group, one of the World’s top venue management companies. Since 2006 he has led a transformation of the business and has secured record levels of growth by seeking out new opportunities for the Group’s award winning campus and city centre venues. He has led the expansion of services […]
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As a “hands-on” Chairman of a New Deal for Communities, Aston Pride, Simon’s determination to seek opportunity for all in the area where he grew up transformed a failing organisation into the number one performing NDC in the UK. Owner manager of J Hudson & Co (Whistles) Ltd, better known as Acme Whistles, he […]
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Stewart trained as an Accountant with Farmiloe & Co, and in 1976 moved into Industry as Group Accountant. He was appointed to the Main Board in 1978 taking responsibility for the commercial and financial development of the Group. Completed the buy-out of the business in 2006. Hadley have grown from 1 million annual turnover in […]
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Jonnie produced public service drama, documentary and digital media for over 30 years from the West Midlands. He founded Maverick Television, one of the UK’s leading independent production companies with bases in Birmingham, Los Angeles and London. Maverick joined All3Media in 2007. Throughout his career he has contributed to the development and delivery of policy […]
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Nick’s career encompasses manufacturing, management consultancy and professional services. He was Marketing & Business Development Director, Global Industries at PricewaterhouseCoopers until retiring in 2015. He is Chairman of ART Business Loans, a Community Development Finance Institution lending to businesses across the West Midlands who are unable to access traditional bank finance. Nick is […]
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Tim Watts joined the family business, Pertemps, in 1970 opening a second office in Wolverhampton. Today, Tim is Lifetime President of Pertemps Network Group, the UK’s largest independently owned recruitment agency with a turnover in excess of 900m. His charitable titles have included Vice President of the Spinal Injuries Association, under the patronage of […]
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Bishop Derek previously worked as an administrator for British Gas West Midlands before going into full time church work in 1987. He is a Minister of Religion for the New Testament Church of God. He was National Director of Evangelism (1987 1991), then National Director of Youth and Christian Education (1991 1997) then the […]
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Tom is a graduate of Imperial College in Metallurgy. He worked on a copper mine in Mufulira, Zambia before joining the family foundry business in 1974. The business has grown to be a European/Global leader in the casting of corrosion resistant and heat resistant copper and nickel based alloys. Tom has been Chairman of Westley […]
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Julia has over thirty years experience in public relations supporting many organisations. In 1992 she established WPR Agency (originally known as Willoughby Public Relations), which today is one of the most award-winning PR, social and search agencies in the UK, winning over 100 industry awards. WPR has been recognised, in 2020, by the […]
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John has over 50 years experience in the metal processing and engineering industries, since starting as an undergraduate apprentice at IMI plc. He joined Caparo from IMI in 1991 as a subsidiary Managing Director. In 1995 he was appointed CEO of the Caparo Engineering Division and joined the Main Board of Caparo Industries Plc in […]
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Doug is the Chief Executive Officer of his franchised restaurant company which operates twenty McDonald’s restaurants across the West Midlands. Doug began his career at McDonald’s the day before he left school in 1981. He became a franchisee in 2002 and now operates one of McDonald’s largest franchised organisations employing over 2,200 people. In 2016 […]
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