Tim Jones
Chairman
Tim Jones is Chairman of South West Business Council and a board member of the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (having served as Chairman from its inception).
Tim's biography
Outside business related activities, Tim is also involved in a wide range of Criminal Justice Issues being a Special Advisor to HM Prison Services serving on the South West Regional Offending Board, is a Trustee of Broadreach which deals with a wide range of Drug and Alcohol Services and is a Patron of Tomorrow’s People. Chairman for the Dartington Hall Trust Property Board and Trustee for Fort Bovisand. Tim also served for 22 years as Chairman of the Princes Trust for Devon & Cornwall and as a South West Regional Board Member.
Tim has active business interests and has been involved for over 30 years in a wide range of property issues. Tim is now extensively involved in Commercial Property Development across the South West Peninsula and is a Director within Belstone Fox Project Management Ltd and Wessex Investors Ltd.
Paul Coles
Deputy Chairman
In my career at BT I have worked in BT Retail, BT Global Services and BT Group. Primarily, I have focussed on the Public Sector market place in the last 13 years of my career spanning a range of activities.
Paul's biography
1. Driving new Mobilty Solutions into Public Sector customers including creating and signing the first Mobile Broadband shared platform in a city environment – a precursor to Wireless Cities
2. Trebling our Mobility Solutions business in 3 years
3. Doubling our Public Sector Framework Contracts business over a 3 year period
4. Propositon Development – creating new solutions in our core portfolio for Public Sector customers enabling us to maintain a strong market share
5. Sales Excellence – driving transformation and performance in our UK geography. Delivering accreditation and pipeline increase
As of the 1st of January 2014 I became BT’s South West Regional Partnership Director. A hugely exciting role that covers a wide range of activities from fibre broadband to digital inclusion to smart cities and much more
Specialities: Business Development, Relationship Management, Public Sector Market place, Sales Programmes, General Management, Sales Transformation, Proposition Development
Organisation: BT
Thelma Sorensen OBE
SWBC Vice Chair Cornwall
Thelma Sorensen is a Cornish born and bred businesswoman, having a wealth of experience in business in the South West in general and Cornwall in particular. She has a significant background in the construction industry.
Thelma's biography
Organisation: Cornwall Business Partnership
Derek Philips
SWBC Vice Chair Devon
Following over 30 years service at the University of Exeter as Director of Campus Services and Managing Director of its four spin off companies Derek now holds 14 Company Directorships both local and national.
Derek's biography
Organisation: Exeter Chamber of Commerce & Industry
David Whiteley
Honorary Life President
Formerly a Partner, David is now a Consultant with Slee Blackwell. He has specialised in Wills, Probate, Trusts, Tax Planning and Care of the Elderly for more than 15 years. He is member of the Society of Trusts and Estate Practitioners.
David's biography
Organisation: Slee Blackwell Solicitors
Anthony Parry
SWBC Statutory Board Member
A Chartered Engineer, Tony was educated at the University of Sheffield, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Metallurgy.
Anthony's biography
In addition to his SWBC directorship, he is Director Europe, Aamsel Impex Pvt. Ltd. (India); Plymouth Area Business Council; Trustee, University of Plymouth Students’ Union; Trustee, Literature Works; Advisor, Cornwall College Saltash; Proprietor, San Antonio Associates; Director, Saltash Gateway Community Interest Company; and a Member of the United Kingdom India Business Council (UKIBC).
His interests are 3 D manufacturing, reshoring, vocational education, UK/India bilateral trade development, Graphene and carbon fibre, Russia, and Turkey.
Bob Dow
SWBC Statutory Board Member
As the former Chief Executive of Business Link (Devon and Cornwall) and owner and director of Dartington Associates, Bob brings his experience and skills to assist small and medium sized businesses in identifying growth routes and undertaking change management, together with providing coaching and mentoring to directors and owner managers across a broad range of business sectors.
Bob's biography
The company also administers the Inspirus Fund which makes awards of grants or loans for projects in Devon or Cornwall which will have significant impact on the economy and new job creation.
Organisation: Dartington Associates
Julie Hawker
SWBC Statutory Board Member
Julie Hawker is Chief Executive at Cosmic one of the region’s leading IT and Digital support agencies and a leader in social enterprise development nationally.
Julie's biography
Julie is Chair of the Heart of SW LEP’s Social Enterprise Special Interest Group and this group now incorporates representation from across the area and the sub-regional networks and their membership in Plymouth, Torbay, Exeter and Somerset.
Organisation: Cosmic
David Bird
SWBC Statutory Board Member
David Bird is the Head of Santander’s Corporate & Commercial Banking team for the South West, helping people and businesses realise their ambitions.
David's biography
Santander have made a significant investment in supporting SME businesses across the UK and especially in the South West region in terms of experienced people and premises. The investment flows through into many charitable endeavours, an extensive part funded internship program, trade missions, Breakthrough and many unique offerings for internationally minded businesses such as the trade portal & trade club.
David and his team at Santander are passionate about the region and serving on the Statutory Board is a natural extension of that aim.
Organisation: Santander
