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George Oliver

George founded his own comms strategy agency in 2020 and has a first-class MSc Strategic Leadership from Loughborough University. He is a CIPR Chartered PR Practitioner.
His work focuses on use of communications to support East Midlands regional growth, particularly among innovative early stage businesses.
George was shortlisted for the CIPR’s Independent PR Practitioner of the Year in 2023 and is an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the University of Leicester.
Before starting his own business, George spent 15 years as a journalist, including four years as Editor of the Leicester Mercury.
He led the shift to digital-first publishing in Leicester, the launch of LeicestershireLive, and co-founded the LeicestershireLive Innovation Awards.

Adam Callow

Made lots of mistakes over the last 7 years as we have take the team from just myself with an idea to a team of 14. Bootstrapped. Small amount of venture. Got to profitability. My key skills are in sales and marketing. Just started a diploma in coaching as long term goals is to be a mentor / coach / investor to small businesses

Ahmed Fareed

I have experience in Project Management, Team Leadership, Mentoring, and a Full-Stack Developer. I love coding, networking, team-building, SaaS products, IoT, STEM activities, and new ideas.

Paul Keaveny

ICF Professional Coach, Mentor and Professional Facilitator. 20+ years in technology space, started in tech ops, moved into service delivery and optimising tech operations, in 2014 moved into the agile space. Part time, I help companies discover, orient and pilot change initiatives. Very familiar with building delivery teams and orienting the work around agile, lean and design thinking ways of working.

Sam Larke

I’ve spent 18+ years working in start-ups, businesses, charities and social enterprises. This involved leading programmes, managing grant funds, operations, fundraising, strategic planning and building partnerships across Senior Management Teams. 

Stuart Hetherington

CEO and Entrepreneur with an original background in Automotive R&D and in developing immersive and tracking technologies for vehicle development, before moving into applications in Simulation and Training (Defence), Entertainment, Attractions and Experiential sectors. Innovator and developer of high-end immersive visualisation, motion tracking systems and adoption of emerging technologies (VR, MxR) with next-generation software platforms for attractions and experiences.

Spent the past 20 years building a technology-focused solutions business, managing strategic business growth, leading innovation and development of patentable technologies and IP, sales management, go-to-market strategy, and strategic partnerships, including globalisation of the business with expansion into the US, GCC, Far East and China. Experienced in managing strategic, value-adding investors supporting business growth, development of unique IP, new products and leveraging synergies of the businesses core IP and software platforms for further market diversification.

Very happy to share my knowledge, experiences, networks and generally support with any value-add I can bring around growth, strategic planning, innovation, development, and investment to start-ups or to established businesses.

Ben Ravilious

Experience of running B2B software-as-a-startup (SaaS) businesses, app and website development, SaaS pricing and onboarding. Experience of running community organisations and helping startups. Good at helping work out early stage startups validate their business ideas/models.

Rich Mills

General business advice – strategy, planning, financial, business plan review, pitch deck review
Several years experience in real estate and interested in supporting PropTech startups to identify and refine use cases + identify target customers
Also interested in placemaking, sustainability, regeneration, emerging tech, personal finance, wellbeing
Limited network in East Mids currently, having moved here recently – majority of connections are London based – including startups, investors

Nicola Thomas

Business Plans (for VC/Angel investment)
Marketing Planning, Implementation and Evaluation
Idea Validation
Generational Motivational Advice

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