Mentors

For over 30 years I have been helping small businesses grow, increase their competitiveness and enter new markets. Having a combination of practical and academic experience provides me with a unique set of skills that can help businesses solve their problems and become more successful. I started my career in electronics, followed by employment in the textile, shoe and apparel sectors. I eventually set up a successful UK based consulting business that I ran for more than 25 years, working with both small and large companies.

An experienced mentor, providing tailored hands-on support to a wide range of organisations from sole traders, and niche Social Enterprises, through to larger commercial ventures: Over ten years, has guided, among others, therapists, retailers, event-organisers, craft brewers, landlords and helped deliver the New Enterprise scheme.

Phil is a former steel industry executive looking to help others with his experience gained from a broad range of senior leadership roles in Tata Steel and its predecessors. He was most recently UK Technical Director, responsible for research and development (including academic research collaborations with UK universities) and all technical activities across the UK business. Prior to that he was Managing Director of a subsidiary business responsible for operations and sales in plants in the UK, Canada and Sweden.

With my skill set firmly grounded in an early career as a Production/Manufacturing engineer I spent my next 18 years in a variety of Senior Operations and Supply Chain management roles within some very well know brand name companies. I am proud to say I contributed to those businesses achieving year on year growth in some very difficult market conditions.
In 2013 I made a decision to change my career direction and branch out into mentoring and coaching people in organisations to achieve the best from those individuals employed and improve their business processes concurrently.

I became self employed at the age of 15 creating and running several small entrepreneurial businesses involving market trading, selling everything and anything I could. After many years of experience in the industry I felt I had developed my skills in market trading and retail to a level I was confident I could train others to be successful in trading on a market. Market trading is different from retail outlets as so much consideration goes into that actual day of trading. I began to train others to become successful in trading and soon built a a good reputation.

A senior director with over 20 years’ leadership experience working at a strategic board level in developing, communicating, executing and sustaining corporate strategic initiatives. Proven ability in navigating complex and multi-disciplined projects through effective leadership in a diverse range of sectors, including health, financial services, retail, engineering, manufacturing, travel and tourism, technology, the arts and the third sector. Extensive experience of developing and implementing engagement programmes and campaigns to a broad range of audiences.

Welsh Speaker

S’mae ffrind! 
 
My name is Rhys and I’ve been working in the business development space for over a decade now but focussing on getting the best out of people for my whole career! 
 
I’ve worked across SMEs, Not for Profit, E-Commerce, Tech and Professional Services. 
 
These days run a small consultancy helping people of faith to start businesses but genuinely enjoy helping anyone get a business moving. 

Richard has over 18 years’ experience in operations and leadership with a passion and proven track record for unlocking the potential in people and processes. Throughout his career he has shown agility alongside a recognised ability to deliver operational performance improvements through coaching of leaders in the application of relevant Operational Excellence principles. 

Richard has over 30 years’ experience in the construction and Facilities Management. Within facilities management he has held senior operational roles, managing large Facilities Management contracts and for the last 15 years has advised the board and senior representatives of numerous organisations in the UK and Globally. He has a track record of generating sustainable cost savings and efficiencies whilst simultaneously improving quality and service standards.

Following my HND in Business and Finance at Staffordshire University, I joined the army and served 10 years in the Cheshire Regiment before leaving at 30 to start a civilian career and get married. I worked in telecoms for many years, initially heading up Corporate Customer Service for Martyn Dawes throughout their acquisition by O2.