The Board
EMB is led by a diverse and talented Board with significant business experience and deep local knowledge.
David Williams (Chairman)
David is Senior Partner in the East Midlands of national commercial law practice Geldards LLP. A property law specialist, David has had experience outside the law as a property developer and in senior management of a top building society. He also brings experience of working on the Board of a Health Trust and as Vice Chairman of Derbyshire Learning and Skills Council.
John Thompson
John is a senior partner in PKF based in Derby, one of the region’s largest accountancy practices. Over the years, John has specialised in risk management and corporate finance. His wealth of knowledge and experience plays a major part in ensuring the success of EMB as a business.
Heather Lee
Heather is a member Lincolnshire Co-operative’s Senior Management Team, leading on Human Resource Management and Development. Lincolnshire Cop-operative employs 2,400 staff and has in excess of 150,000 members across Lincolnshire and North Nottinghamshire. Committed to supporting the local community, Heather is a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and holds an MBA.
John Day
As a former Director of Marketing and Strategic planning at Alliance & Leicester plc, and now running his own small business, John brings much experience to the Board in both marketing and strategic planning. John is also a non-executive Director of the Hinckley & Rugby Building Society and Chariman of Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce.
Ruth Ingman
A qualified Barrister, now running her own HR Consultancy business based in Leicestershire, Ruth’s knowledge and experience in the field of HR and TUPE was invaluable in managing the smooth transfer of employees from the existing Business Link operators to the new company and will continue to be a significant asset for the future.
Ian Greenaway
Ian is Managing Director of MTM Products Limited, a manufacturing company based in Chesterfield. His considerable experience in the manufacturing sector, along with his business acumen will be important in ensuring EMB delivers to this important sector of our regional economy.
Monder Ram
Monder is Professor of Small Business at DeMontfort University and has extensive experience of working in, researching, and acting as a consultant to ethnic minority businesses. He is a leading researcher on ethnic minority entrepreneurship, and has published widely on the subject. His knowledge of this important market segment will therefore be invaluable to EMB.
Rachel Mallows
Rachel runs her own Northamptonshire based business, providing training, consultancy and event management and administrative support. A strong supporter of women’s issues, Rachel will support EMB in effective engagement with women in enterprise.
David Williams
David Williams is Managing Director of Butt Foods, a privately owned specialist bakery business located in Nottingham, which works closely with retailers, food manufactures and food service companies. He is Vice Chairman of the Food and Drink Forum and brings specialist knowledge of this important sector to EMB.
Brian Baker
Brian joined BT in 1984 and has held many roles across the company. His recent past has engaged him as BT’s National Education Accounts Manager. More recently he has taken on the role of East Midlands Regional Market Manager for BT Education & Local Government, with responsibility for the development of strategic relationships with BT’s key education and local government clients.
George Cowcher
George is Chief Executive of Derbyshire & Nottinghamshire Chambers of Commerce. George is a Chartered Town Planner and has previously worked in the development industry for South West Regional Development Agency and One North East. He was Chief Executive of the North East Chamber of Commerce before moving to Derbyshire in April 2006.
Paul Griffiths
Paul Griffiths is Chief Executive of Northamptonshire Chamber. Paul is a qualified Accountant with an extensive business background at senior level, in both finance and general management roles. He has a diverse background covering manufacturing, software development and publishing, hospitality, and financial shared services. Northamptonshire Chamber represents the interests of 1300 businesses from across the county and is one of the three joint venture partners behind EMB.
Janet Beaumont (Observer)
Janet Beaumont is Chief Executive of Local Government East Midlands (LGEM), which promotes the voice of local government in the East Midlands. She is a fellow of The Institute of Personnel and Development, member of The Society of Chief Personnel Officers and of The Society of Local Authority Chief Executives. Janet has overall responsibility for the management of LGEM and supports Elected Members in developing the Association’s vision, aims, objectives and priorities.
John O’ Reilly (Observer)
John O’ Reilly is Director of Business Support for the East Midlands Development agency and was formerly Head of Business Link for Derbyshire and a member of the senior management team at Derbyshire Chamber and Business Link.
Stephen Smith (Chief Executive)
Stephen has a successful track record combining specialist marketing and general management expertise, the latter covering business re-engineering, restructuring and merger of businesses in both the public and private sector. Stephen’s knowledge and understanding of business support, partnership working, innovation and leadership of change are especially relevant to EMB.
Danielle Gillett (Company Secretary)
Company Secretary. Danielle is a FCCA, with experience in corporate finance and corporate governance. Danielle is Corporate Services Director for EMB.