Guy Lewis

Guy has spent over 30 years in the Creative and Digital industry and has gained business skills and experience working with many private companies. His career has taken him to the highest level of technical and operational management at ITV and Granada Television. He led the technology stream for the BBC, developing the operational and technology vision that is now MediaCity UK in Salford. He has worked with technology manufacturers assisting businesses to grow by gaining efficiencies through technological change and re-organisation. Royal Television Society award winner for outstanding achievement in the use of technology and for excellence in training.

Richard Lukey

Richard completed both a student apprenticeship and engineering degree prior to a career working in and leading growing businesses in South America, Africa and the UK. He moved into the business support arena in 2002 initially as a Business Adviser and then as an Adviser Manager before setting up Altamira (Yorkshire) Ltd in 2009 and becoming one of the three original directors of CDI Alliance in 2011.
A specialist in business strategy and change management, he works across sectors as diverse as hospitality and manufacturing including an in-depth knowledge of the creative and digital industries. Today much of his work is around identifying the issues that constrain growth in a business, working with clients to develop strategies to remove the shackles and managing specialist advisers to facilitate delivery of the desired outcomes.

Stuart McFarlane-Bedford

Stuart has an extensive portfolio of business skills and experience that has been gained over the past 30 years working in both private sector and public sector organisations and running his own businesses. He has gained a wide knowledge base through a varied career in some of the top global technology companies and in economic development in the public sector in the following areas – account & financial management, sales & marketing, product & project management, training & team management.

Associates

Jeanette Allen

Jeanette Allen is a qualified auditor with over 25 years of public sector audit experience. She has extensive experience in risk management and delivering internal and external audit services to the NHS and local government. She carries out financial and non-financial reviews, ensuring systems and controls operate as required by management.

John Barnett

After 6 years as Operations Director of a rapidly expanding manufacturing/engineering business John returned to management consultancy to share his wide ranging commercial experience and entrepreneurial skills. He is an effective strategic thinker, who knows how to ensure that strategic objectives convert in to goals that in turn drive sustainable business growth.

Nigel Beevers

A practical hands-on operations consultant to value adding processes that require continuously improving resource utilisation applying skills developed during a twenty year employed career in high pressure environments and fifteen years as an independent consultant. Used to controlling with full accountability, cross-functional teams in multi-site configurations. Often running teams in disparate businesses, disciplines and markets; deploying teamwork with a clearly developed mentor capability deriving much job satisfaction from the motivation of people. Able to find the solution to the enterprise “capacity to meet demand” issues in the detail of the actions, interactions and communication systems of value adding activity looking always to seek out cash and reduce cost through the optimisation of resources hence tending towards “LEAN”.

Steve Bolton

After a career in the army and military intelligence Steve has owned and operated his own business which has traded significantly Internationally. For many years he worked in partnership with the DIT and UK Companies developing export strategies and implementing export plans. This has included developing and implementing International Exhibitions identifying overseas markets suitable for UK companies and escorting those companies on overseas trade delegations. He has delivered Master Classes both here and abroad on the many aspects of successful exporting. A major part in collaborating with UK companies is signposting UK companies to export support services and educating them on how to access grant funding.

Philippa Coultish

I understand and appreciate the challenges leaders of small businesses are facing and I have worked with so many on developing their ideas and future direction and then putting plans into action. Working with the senior management through 1:1 discussions I can act as a ‘sounding board’ for those sort of discussions you may not wish to have with friends or family and don’t want to involve your staff. By identifying where the challenges and opportunities are in the business we can then put together a plan of actions to bring focus and energy and ‘make things happen’

Andy Curtis

A business growth specialist with an extensive skill-set in Tech Sector Growth and Development, Smart Cities & Future Cities, Knowledge Transfer, Trade and Investment Development and Management Consultancy. A background in the Creative and Digital industries that has widened to encompass many other technology and innovation led sectors, niches and business markets. Working with businesses, economic development organisations and Universites in client cities and regions in the UK, Europe, USA and Canada to support partnerships, programme strategy/management/delivery of growth initiatives and business support programmes in the technology innovation sectors.

Keith Evans

After 13 years providing high quality business consultancy to the cultural, creative & digital industries across the UK, Europe and over 20 other countries, Keith began to specialise in helping businesses and organisations of all kinds manage ‘Change’ via creativity & innovation. An experienced executive coach, mentor and group facilitator, he has also helped secure over £40 million of investment into the UK knowledge sector, is a leading light behind the Africa I am (Aiam Partnership) & has become a strong advocate of commercial growth through the Enterprise 2.0 processes.

Bev Foster

I am a Sector Skills Specialist with expertise in Advanced Manufacturing, Financial Services, New Technologies, Creative and Digital, and Retail. My networks include colleges and private providers, universities, Local Enterprise Partnerships, Local Authorities, membership organisations, Sectors Skills Councils, and National Skills Academies.

Katrina Gallagher

It looks like I planned to get into Digital Marketing with a BSc Computer Science & MSc in Marketing. But I was drawn into this fascinating world & have been loving it for the past 17 years. I’ve worked for a major Blue Chip corporate on the client’s side, for two award-winning digital agencies & one family business. I was delighted to present at Brighton SEO at the majestic Brighton Dome, The Technology for Marketing & Advertising (TfM&A) conference at Earls Court & at various locations for the MDDA. I launched Digitangle in 2012. I have the pleasure of working with some great PR, marketing & web design agencies, where I consult, train or deliver to fill the gap between the technical, marketing & human world.

Renate Halton MIEx

A former Head of Department in international trade with a proven track record of delivering outstanding performance in working with both the public and private sector. Insightful business leader skilled in driving continuous improvement in challenging customer focussed environments. Confident and resourceful Senior Manager with strategic strength, vision and commitment to succeed in a partnership and team environment. Experienced and skilled in managing funded projects; leading and directing a team; strategic planning, decision making and problem solving.

Specialties: Extensive knowledge and contacts in international trade, delivery of training in international trade subjects, international market and industry research, export/import documentation, EU funded contract management, international trade procedures

Fraser Henderson

Niche expertise in digital engagement, project management, digital transformation and digital experience optimisation. Recognised international expert in citizen centric technology. Fraser has been involved in high profile digital transformation projects for over 10 years. He delivered a future state analysis for Balfour Beatty and helped them move a number of legacy systems to the cloud, creating over £1m in savings. His speciality is improving digital experiences and he has recently worked with the Chinese State Council in Beijing to revamp their online service for engaging citizens with draft legislation. He is currently working on a social listening project for the European Commission which uses social media insights to inform policy development (http://deeplinkingyouth.eu).

Mel Kanarek

I run TigerNash Ltd, where I specialise in helping businesses grow through the practical application of the tools of marketing. At TigerNash, I work mainly with creative and digital (CDI) businesses, helping them to overcome the barriers that are getting in the way of their success. My aim is to be a useful partner in the development of your business – not just another business adviser or marketing consultant.

Andy Lovatt

I am MD of The White Room which provides training and training technologies for all companies working in or with digital media. From short-courses and Apprenticeships to large business change programmes and e-learning, we work with business to provide effective and measurable business improvement. We are currently working with the IPA to drive Creative Pioneers Apprenticeships with the aim to created over 100 new Apprentice opportunities in the Advertising, Marketing, Creative and Digital Industries.

Penny McFarlane-Bedford

Penny is a qualified coach, mentor and trainer, she has delivered many workshops and 1:1 training. She has business, management and administration experience, having spent many years working in tourism and passenger transport, managing /supervising teams and dealing with the public/customers.

She is a musician, song writer and performer in the Yorkshire music scene. A member of ILM -Institute of Leadership & Management, Equity and Musicians Union

Richard Michie

An experienced professional bringing a strategic approach to the use of marketing to deliver profitable growth. Key strengths are
• Strategic Marketing Planning
• Search Engine Optimisation
• Social Media Marketing
• Email Marketing
• Paid Advertising
• Straight forward marketing advice
Work cross sector and take the holistic view of marketing’s impact across the company.

David Patterson

David has become an influential commentator and valued consultant in the world of e-learning and learning technologies. He is joint author of several research papers including the highly acclaimed 2009 and 2010 Learning Light reports on theUKe-learning market. His strong business background both in the public and private sector gives him a leading edge when working with a wide range of clients to provide independent and impartial advice on the use of e-learning and learning technologies to improve business performance.

Abi Pick

I have been incredibly lucky to have enjoyed an extensive international career in marketing, sales leadership, recruitment and professional development; travelling, living and working in Australia, France and Belgium. Working with global clients and surrounding myself with highly talented people, I have supported them in developing and delivering their strategic, corporate and professional goals.

John Popham

Facilitator, animater, change agent, project manager. Lots of knowledge of what works and what doesn’t, and a passionate commitment to passing this knowledge on. I’ve come to specialise in recent years in finding new ways of using technology and social media to promote community and economic development, and to help public and voluntary organisations to operate more efficiently, reach more people, and build platforms for collaboration.

Amitabh Singh

A business innovation and growth specialist working in multicultural and fast growing business environments. Result oriented with strong entrepreneurial drive, I help achieve growth through innovation and possess a deep knowledge of how to develop and execute business plans and align activities to the vision and strategy of organisations. A motivational and inspirational leader with expertise in mentoring, coaching high-performance teams and empowering individuals to fulfill their potential. A Horizon 2020 SME coach working with incubators and universities across UK and India.

Steve Skinner

Steve has worked as a regional manager for a government agency, a senior manager in local government and higher education, an adviser for the Lottery and as an administrator for an arts trust. He now runs his own business, providing consultancy and training across the U.K., specialising in strategic planning, leadership and team development, capacity building and community engagement. He has extensive experience of supporting charity and public sector organisations through change, with skills in facilitation, mentoring, training, planning and reviews. He is especially interested in community enterprise and corporate social responsibility and has had several practical books published in his field.

Marian Smith

DipM MCIM Chartered Marketer, I have worked in communications and business development for over 15 years, managing marketing operations, events and social media across tourism, construction, technology and professional services. With a passion for both traditional marketing and social media, my company Doo was created to act as a marketing partner for businesses without the marketing resource, too busy to do it themselves.

Gill Thewlis

Fashion Designer, Executive and Business Coach, Leadership Developer, Strategy and Governance Consultant since 2003, with 20 years prior blue chip commercial career in banking and financial services, 15 of which were in the City of London, 10 as commercial & international banker, 10 as a strategist, marketeer, change manager and corporate communicator.
Background in design and specialist in combining left and right brain approaches to enabling step changes in performance in individuals and teams in fast growing companies – always with a strategic intent and close link to bottom line improvement.

Nick Wild

Nick has over 30 years’ experience as a consultant, senior executive and business owner in media, technology and entertainment sectors including: music, film, children’s IP and transmedia. He has a strong and commercial focus and experience both from an operational (COO) and strategic (CEO) level in building businesses with a media and technology focus.

Malcolm Warrington

Malcolm worked for 10 years at Arts Council England in Yorkshire as Creative Industries Officer, leading on business support for creative and cultural businesses helping develop the creative economy. Having run his own businesses and also worked as a senior manager and chief officer in different local authorities, he has a wealth of policy, strategic, operational and business support experience most recently in the creative, cultural, digital and new media industries.

Julia Wilkinson

Julia is an experienced Business & Finance Consultant with a demonstrated history of working in the management consulting industry. Skilled in Business Planning, Commercial Lending, Banking, Commercial Banking, Credit Risk and Business Development. She is passionate about helping businesses find the funding and support they need and she has the skills and experience to find and package funding requests to secure a positive decision taking the headache and hassle away from business owners.

Jo Wright

I lead the commercial operations and strategic development of FACT (Foundation for Art and Creative Technology) – the UK’s leading organisation for commissioning, exhibiting, promoting and supporting artists’ work and innovation in the fields of film, video, and new media.

Associates

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