Advisory Board

Malcolm Bell

Malcolm Bell

SWBC Advisory Board Member

Synonymous with Cornwall tourism, there isn’t a lot that Malcolm doesn’t know about the industry. Having overseen the transformation of Visit Cornwall into a Community Interest Company, he is now at the helm of Visit Cornwall’s future as a private enterprise and is responsible for overseeing the vision, strategy and delivery of the company.

Malcolm's biography

A passionate brand ambassador for destination Cornwall, Malcolm is a key spokesperson across the world for tourism issues and sits on European and national advisory boards. Malcolm is also on the Board of Governors for Cornwall College, South West Lakes Trust and the Cornwall Food Foundation.

When there’s a gap in his diary Malcolm takes the chance to get out on the water and is a keen dingy sailor – he’s even been known to win one or two races! A true Cornishman he is most at home when enjoying time with his family and much-adored pup.

Perfect day in Cornwall: the sun would be shining and there would be just the right amount of breeze for a perfect day of sailing on the south Cornish coast. Back on dry land and it would be over to the north coast to take my dog for a run on Perranporth beach before seeing out the day with a BBQ and a few local beers. Sometimes the simple life is best – bliss!

Organisation: Visit Cornwall

Katharine Bourke

Katharine Bourke

SWBC Advisory Board Member

Katharine helps businesses with high growth potential in Devon & Cornwall connect with the best business coaches through GrowthAccelerator to ensure the businesses achieve their potential.

Katharine's biography

Katharine is working closely with small and medium sized businesses across Devon & Cornwall to help them identify their most critical barriers to growth. She locates the most appropriate coach to work with those businesses, to enable them to overcome their barriers and deliver the growth they deserve. Katharine also works closely with intermediaries to identify the businesses within their portfolios who have the potential to grow rapidly and helps these businesses to access the GrowthAccelerator service.

Organisation: GrowthAccelerator, Oxford Innovation

Nick Buckland OBE

Nick Buckland OBE

SWBC Advisory Board Member

Nick has significant experience in strategic planning, governance, review processes and quality, gathered from a range of private sector executive and non-executive directorships.

Nick's biography

He is pro-chancellor and former chair of governors of Plymouth University and chair of Peninsula Community Health CIC and chair of the board of the Education and Development Trust. With a BSc in mathematics, he is a Fellow of the British Computer Society, the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications and the RSA as well as being a member of the Chartered Management Institute, the Institute of Directors and the Royal Institution.

Based in Cornwall, Nick also runs an organic livestock farm with his wife.

Kevin Butler

Kevin Butler

SWBC Advisory Board Member

Having previously spent 20 years at the Bank of England where his roles included head of audit and regional agent for the South West, the latter involving reporting to the Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee on economic and business trends in the region.

Kevin's biography

Kevin now works at Milsted Langdon as a consultant economist.

Highly respected within the local business community for his pragmatic and down-to-earth approach, Kevin is an accomplished speaker and is regularly asked to provide expert comment on the latest economic issues in the media, including BBC Points West, BBC Radio Bristol and BBC Radio Somerset.

Kim Conchie

Kim Conchie

SWBC Advisory Board Member

Kim jointly founded Brass Tacks Publishing in 1986. Brass Tacks became one of the top customer publishing and website agencies in UK before Kim sold to Chime Communications PLC in 2000.

Kim's biography

Major clients were Somerfield, Royal Mail, UKTI, British Gas, Scottish Power, Bank of Scotland, Rugby Football Union, Lawn Tennis Association.

He was MD of the Bristol office of PSPRare (as Brass Tacks is now rebranded) from 2006 to 2009 as well as being a business consultant for de facto and other businesses in Cornwall where he lives.

Other interests are: chairman of Falmouth Rugby Club, trustee of BF Adventure (excluded children’s and young adults’ outdoor activity charity), director of Cornwall Arts Centre Trust and presenter of Sports Hour on The Source FM local radio for Falmouth and Penryn and, of course, wonderful wife and children.

Specialities: magazine publishing, marketing, SME consultancy.

Organisation: Cornwall Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Steve Gerry

Steve Gerry

SWBC Advisory Board Member

Steve acts as Sectretary and Treasurer of PMG, who’s members collectively have a turnover of circa £1.6bn pa; add over £0.5bn GVA to the local economy and employ between 12k and 13k employees. PMG was formed over thirty years ago.

Steve's biography

Steve is the Lead Executive for a membership group of circa 50 manufacturing companies in the Plymouth travel-to-work-area and represents the Group’s interest with a broad range of authorities and agencies.

Fulfilling an annual work programme that ensures members derive satisfaction from their membership. This includes: organising 30+ meetings pa; arranging speakers; providing company secretarial support etc.

Steve is a Member of the Plymouth UTC Project Steering Group.

Steve is also the Advanced Manufacturing Sector Contact for the Plymouth Growth Board.

Organisation: Plymouth Manufacturers’ Group

Lord Robin Teverson

Lord Robin Teverson

SWBC Advisory Board Member

Lord Teverson is a Liberal Democrat Life peer sitting in the House of Lords since 01 June 2006. Currently sitting on the European Union Committee (since May 2016), Finance Bill Sub-Committee (since December 2015), Lord Teverson chairs the EU Energy and Environment Sub-Committee (May 2016).

Lord Robin's biography

He has in the past sat on Economic Affairs Committee (Jun 2015 to May 2016), The Arctic (Jun 2014 to Feb 2015), EU Sub Committee C – External Affairs (May 2012 to May 2013), European Union Committee (Dec 2008 to May 2013), EU Sub-Committee C – Foreign Affairs, Defence and Development Policy (Dec 2008 to May 2012), Draft Climate Change Bill (Joint Committee) (Apr 2007 to Aug 2007), EU Sub-Committee F – Home Affairs(Nov 2006 to Nov 2008).

He has also chaired in the past The Arctic (Jun 2014 to Feb 2015), EU Sub Committee C – External Affairs (May 2012 to May 2013), EU Sub-Committee C – Foreign Affairs, Defence and Development Policy (Jun 2010 to May 2012).

Organisation: Liberal Democrat Life Peer

Chris Marrow

Chris Marrow

SWBC Advisory Board Member

Chris is involved in economic development as chairman for Heart of the South West Business Forum.

Chris' biography

Organisation: Chairman at Heart of the SW Business Forum

Stephen Bird

Stephen Bird

SWBC Advisory Board Member

Prior to joining South West Water, Stephen held posts in the Welsh Water Authority, National Rivers Authority and Wallace Evans Consultants as an environmental consultant.

Stephen's biography

Stephen is Chairman of the Water UK Marine Waters Group. He is also a Board Member of UK Water Industry Research Limited. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Managers, holds an MBA and is a Chartered Director.

Organisation: Managing Director at South West Water

Phil Byers

Phil Byers

SWBC Advisory Board Member

Phil is a long-standing Chamber Executive member, having previously held the post of President in 2002/3 & 2010/1. He was also Chairman of North Devon Chamber of Commerce & Industry from 2003 – 2007.

Phil's biography

Phil has been particularly involved in promoting ‘Partnership working’ for the benefit of the local business community, representing the Chamber widely across the South West on strategic business groups. He is a Director of project management and design company, Project (SW) Ltd.

Organisation: Lobbying, Representation, Vice President Barnstaple & District Chamber of Commerce Ltd

Steven Edwards

Steven Edwards

SWBC Advisory Board Member

Steven joined the gas industry in 1992 as a Finance Graduate and now has 23 years’ experience in the sector. Steven has been closely involved in the Ofgem review of the RPI-X, resulting in the “RIIO” form of regulation.

Steven's biography

Steven led the first “RIIO” business plan submission for Wales & West Utilities resulting in an agreed settlement with Ofgem for the next 8 years. As a member of the ENA Gas Futures Group, Steven has helped shape a number of contributions as the group continues to make future energy policy. Steven is also a Board Member of Energy Networks Association and in 2011 gave evidence on behalf of Energy Networks Association to the Energy Select Committee on the future role for gas in the UK. Energy is also a key issue for the devolved nations and Steven is a member of the Welsh Government Energy and Advisory Panel.

Organisation: Director of Regulation and Commercial at Wales & West Utilities

James Jordan

James Jordan

SWBC Advisory Board Member

James has been with HSBC since 1999 and today is responsible for leading a team who work with a diverse range of businesses cross the South West.

James' biography

Prior to his current role, James was Deputy Head of Corporate Banking for Bristol and Bath, working with small and medium sized businesses with turnovers between £6.5m and £350m.

Organisation:Head of Corporate Banking, South West at HSBC

Sharron Robbie

Sharron Robbie

SWBC Advisory Board Member

Sharron took on the role as Managing Director of the Devon and Cornwall Training Provider Network in June, 2016.

Sharron's biography

She is repsonsible for leading the business in all areas, including future strategy and direction, marketing & communications, operations and development of projects and membership growth.

Organisation:Managing Director at Devon & Cornwall Training Provider Network Ltd

Robert Gardiner

Robert Gardiner

SWBC Advisory Board Member

A pioneer in the Telecommunications sector, with over fifty years of experience; having been part of the start-up team at Vodafone and holder of senior management, engineering and training roles in companies including Cable and Wireless, Marconi, Nortel, Ericsson, Orange, T-Mobile and BT.

Robert's biography

Organisation: University of Suffolk

Paul Santer

Paul Santer

SWBC Advisory Board Member

Paul is a West Country man, married with two grown-up sons, now living back in his home town of Sidmouth in East Devon. During his forty years as a civil engineer, he has worked on various construction projects for contractors in the UK and the Middle East.

Paul's biography

In recent years, as Business Development Manager for a major UK contractor (BAM Nuttall), his skills in customer relationship management and work winning enabled BAM to secure key contracts across all market sectors in the UK and also in Uganda and Tanzania in Eastern Africa.

Paul joined CECA (the trade association for the civil engineering industry) at the beginning of 2017 as its first South West director. Since that time, he has represented and supported CECA member contractors in the region through training provision, client and government engagement, promoting civil engineering as a career in schools and universities and backing the apprenticeship programme.

CECA is the representative body for companies who work day to day to deliver, upgrade and maintain the country’s infrastructure. With more than 300 members nationwide (and over 30 in the South West), CECA represents firms who collectively carry out an estimated 70-80% of all civil engineering activity in the UK, in the key sectors of transport, energy, communications, waste and water.

Organisation: Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA)

Richard Stanbrook

Richard Stanbrook

SWBC Advisory Board Member

As Director of Pennon Water Services (PWS), Richard has overall responsibility for the non-household business and the establishment of PWS which is now successfully competing in the new market – retaining and acquiring customers.

Richard's biography

He has also overseen the implementation of a joint venture between Pennon Group and South Staffordshire Plc combining the non-household retail businesses, significantly increasing customer numbers and elevating PWS to 6thposition in the GB market retail rankings.

With Richard at the helm, PWS is enjoying significant levels of growth, high customer satisfaction, as evidenced by a customer survey and high market compliance.

Formerly Director of Retail and Corporate Services at Bournemouth Water, Richard has over 20 years’ experience in the water industry, including creating an industry-leading customer service team and debt performance.

Organisation: Pennon Water Services

Adam Cook

Adam Cook

SWBC Advisory Board Member

Conservationist focussing on the creation on sustainable conservation projects around the world and the promotion of highly ethical products.

Adam's biography

Director of ‘The Science Assembly’, ’WildSupport’ and ‘The Devon Farm CIC’, Adam co-ordinates conservation projects around the world, creates ethical products and promotes a resilient future.

After a recent tour of America with the U.S. State Department, Adam is setting his sights on global change for a better future.

Organisation: The Science Assembly

Edward Chapman

Edward Chapman

SWBC Advisory Board Member

Edward is an ordinary guy, well as ordinary as a recovering accountant can be, but has achieved extraordinary things through running.

Edward's biography

He does not have a sporting background; at school he used to get out of P.E. as much as possible. His last school report said “His spasmodic appearances leave no opportunity to comment”. At the age of 40 a grave health warning resulted in the first tentative running steps. It took some time, but he eventually became hooked and has over 100 marathons or ultra marathons under his belt; a belt that is now much tighter!

By just keeping on going Edward has achieved something amazing; completing the Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon, a 250km desert self-sufficiency stage race, ten times. More people have walked on the moon than done that, not bad for an ex fat bloke. He will always be a trail runner, but is currently enjoying a new lease of life as an adventurer, hiker and wild camper.

Organisation: Federation of Small Businesses

Matt Roach

Matt Roach

SWBC Advisory Board Member

Matt is Managing Director of Exeter Airport. A Chartered Accountant, Matt progressed through several roles at Exeter Airport before becoming Managing Director in 2011.  Matt sits on the Boards of Exeter College and Exeter Chamber of Commerce as well as being a member of the ICAEW South West Strategy Board.

Organisation: Exeter Airport

Emily Beaumont

Emily Beaumont

SWBC Advisory Board Member

Dr Emily Beaumont is an academic and business owner, born and bred in Plymouth, Devon, UK.  As an academic, Emily has studied at a number of Higher Education Institutions, including the University of Exeter and Loughborough University.

Emily's biography

She has dedicated her teaching and research to the disciplines of enterprise and employability, and the quality of her work in this area saw her voted on to the Board of Directors for Enterprise Educators UK and awarded with Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy and Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute. Now, as an Associate Professor and Director of the Marjon Business School at Plymouth Marjon University, Emily continues to combine excellence in teaching with a strong research ethos, creating a business school which is dynamic in its offer, and flexible and reactive to the rapidly changing and evolving world of business.  Emily recognises that enterprise education should be available to all and so with her business partner; Dr Sarah Preedy, established Mission Enterprise and Mission Community Enterprise CIC.  Through these businesses Emily and Sarah offer high quality practical learning opportunities underpinned by academic knowledge, skills and experience for those not in Higher Education.  This includes programmes for either children or adults, that set out to improve their entrepreneurial behaviours and competencies.  Proud of her roots in South West England, Emily strives to improve the lives of those living and working in the area through enterprise and innovation.

Organisation: Marjon University

Stuart Elford

Stuart Elford

SWBC Advisory Board Member

Stuart Elford is the Chief Executive of the Devon and Plymouth Chamber of Commerce. He is a Chartered Manager and Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute (CMgr FCMI) with extensive experience of leadership roles in the public, private and third sectors.

Stuart's biography

He is passionate about Plymouth and Devon and using his commercial expertise to make a difference to the area in which we live and Work.  Stuart believes integrity and values are paramount and likes to build partnerships and work together to deliver sustainable solutions. Stuart was Chair of St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth from 2010-2017and has been a Director of the Chamber since 2016. Stuart is a private pilot, a sailor and an occasional jogger – although he says he hasn’t the time to do any of these things.

Organisation: Devon Chamber of Commerce

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The South West Business Council (SWBC) was formed in 2001 to provide a single voice to represent the views of some of the regions’ most important organisations, both regionally and nationally. Formerly known as Devon & Cornwall Business Council (DCBC), SWBC is a significant economic partnership and has established itself as the strategic voice for business, focused on raising the profile, the performance and the health of a regional economy worth over £30 billion a year. The partnership works closely with businesses, their representative groups and public-sector organisations across the wider region.

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