Adam was the founder of Advent Communications and a fully qualified journalist with more than 20 years of experience.

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He helped build Advent to be one of the most respected in its sector in the region, and it acts for many of the key stakeholder organisations across the Midlands. Adam masterminded the sale of the company to the PLMR Group, a top 50 UK comms firm in the UK, and has been retained as a consultant with the company through his company Cartway Consultants.

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He is a trustee of the UHCW Charity and also a non-executive director of the Wigley Group.

Alexis Toft is a dynamic leader at the forefront of the angel investing landscape, serving as the Head of Minerva Business Angels. With a passion for identifying and nurturing emerging ventures, Alex brings a wealth of experience and insight to his role, driving strategic investment decisions and fostering growth within the entrepreneurial community.

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In addition to his professional endeavours, Alex is deeply committed to fostering diversity and inclusion within the startup ecosystem. He actively supports initiatives aimed at levelling the playing field for underrepresented founders and works tirelessly to create opportunities for marginalised communities to thrive.

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The holder of 10 patents, a degree in Chemistry, MBA, Llb and Master of Law, Alex is a key promoter of lifelong learning throughout your career.

Andrew is the Head of Enterprise Development and Collaboration at University of Birmingham Enterprise, the Technology Transfer Office at the University of Birmingham. Andrew and the team work with academic entrepreneurs and businesses from across the region, providing business support, training and mentoring. Andrew has been part of Pitch Up and Venturefest every year since its inception.

Andy is an experienced sustainability practitioner at local, national, and international levels. A Director of several organisations and University Guest Lecturer, his expertise spans sustainability strategy, product innovation, and net zero solutions. He is an IEMA Fellow and Circular Economy Network Steering Group member; his contributions have ranged from demystifying the subject, to providing intelligence for the Resources and Waste Strategy for England. Previously with Shropshire Wildlife Trust as a Trustee, he is now an Honorary Advisor. 

Andy’s commitment to sustainability is evident in his diverse roles, advocating for collaborative efforts in improving performance for a sustainable future.

Catherine is an innovation, economic development and public policy professional. She is Principal Place Development lead at the Connected Places Catapult, leading the delivery of the multi-million pound Diatomic programme, as part of the West Midlands Combined Authority Innovation Accelerator programme.

Catherine's knowledge spans a number of sectors including: curating innovation ecosystems, economic development, public policy, public affairs, infrastructure, masterplanning and strategic advisory. She appeared on the Northern Power  Women Future List in 2023.

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Chris started his journey in AI and Computer Science, with a BSc, MSc, and PhD from the University of Birmingham. Recognising the promise of AI, but also the cliff edge of automation that would impact a lot of society, Chris set up the School of Code to make sure people gained the confidence and capability to shape the future, not be left behind by it.

School of Code’s is an intensive, free coding bootcamp that pioneered the model in the UK. Its mission is to help people from all backgrounds become skilled technologists, building a unique pool of top tech talent and linking it with the world’s best tech companies.

Chris is also Chair of the West Midlands AI and Future Tech Forum, where he aims to bring together a wide group of people to help shape the future of AI to embrace the benefits and avoid the pitfalls.
 

Christian is, a seasoned professional, transitioned from a successful career in investment banking to become a trailblazing innovator and lecturer.

In 2019, he established the MedTech Makers Lab, pioneering pathways for global medical technology innovations to thrive in the Midlands. Christian imparts his expertise as an innovation management instructor at six universities spanning five countries and facilitates acceleration labs throughout the EU.

His teachings cover strategic roadmapping and funding strategies, empowering companies to navigate the dynamic landscape of innovation. With a passion for transforming ideas into reality, Christian continues to shape the future of MedTech and innovation worldwide.

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Claire is a Legal Director at VWV's Birmingham office specialising in data protection law. Born and raised in the West Midlands, Claire has been a practising solicitor for over a decade. Claire has been praised for combining technical expertise with strategic advice.

She understands the importance by aligning data protection compliance with wider business objectives and does not believe that compliance stands in the way of technical innovation. Claire is interested in helping her clients to harness the benefits of AI but also keen to explore how AI has the potential to transform the legal services sector.

Based in the West Midlands, Dr Clive Summerfield is the founder and CEO of deep-tech start-up FARx, the developer of proprietary fused AI/ML voice-face biometrics recognition technologies. FARx is Clive’s 3rd tech start-up.

He previously founded speech recognition and voice biometric companies in Sydney and Canberra which grew from a zero-funded start-up to over A$80 million with sales in the UK, the US, Australia, and New Zealand.  Clive has a PhD from The University of Sydney and over 20 patents in chip design and AI/ML voice processing granted in the UK, US, Australia, Canada, and China.

David Gaughan, Head of Employer Services at the West Midlands Combined Authority has been tasked with driving the WM recovery post pandemic and linking residents to good quality jobs. David is also tasked with providing opportunities to upskill residents to better paid sustainable employment through in-work progression, and working with industry to shape an employer offer to meet labour demand and upskilling of the current work force. 

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During his career, David has supported a wide range of blue-chip employers in establishing workforce development solutions through apprenticeship and other bespoke learning provision. This has led to significantly improved current and future organisational performance outcomes. 

While in the education sector, David achieved a number of awards. In 2011, David was given a Pride Award by the National Apprenticeship Service for his work in Yorkshire and the Humber. Then in 2014, David and his team were recognised after securing the coveted Leading Light and Beacon Award for employer engagement by the Association of Colleges.  

David Phasey is the Business development director at 3P Innovation Ltd. in Warwick, automation experts helping clients commercialise their products.

After graduating from the University of Bath with a degree in Innovation and Engineering design, he worked for Xerox in product development and as part of the Industrial Design & Human factors team.

Since joining 3P innovation in 2011, David has been supporting client develop their groundbreaking medical devices and consumer products, from concept through to commercial scale automation and is a named inventor on multiple patents for his clients.

Deborah has been at the forefront of business build, innovation, and international trade, since incorporating Forensic Pathways Ltd in 2001.  Throughout the past 22 years she and her team have ensured the company continually anticipated the changing forensic/threat landscape, from crime scene products to digital forensic technology, due diligence, and background investigation consultancy, through to cyber and threat intelligence.  The Company is now a lead in risk and reputation management through its provision of threat intelligence technology and consultancy.

As of January 2024, Deborah has been appointed as Scaleup Director for Innovate UK Edge at Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce.  The Innovate UK Edge Scaleup Programme is the flagship business support service for Innovate UK and Deborah’s national role is to support companies with a growth potential of 50% per annum, driven by disruptive innovation, with an intention to expand into new or international markets.

Deborah is a Department for Business and Trade Export Champion, a Board Member of the Greater Birmingham Global Chamber of Commerce, and Business Commissioner for Business Commission West Midlands.  In addition, she is as a Visiting Professor at Aston University, holds an Honorary Doctorate from Birmingham City University and has over the course of her career won several awards for innovation, business and international trade both personally and for Forensic Pathways, her first award being British Female Inventor of the Year 2005.

Between November 2021 and 2023 Deborah was President of the Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, only the third woman to hold the position since 1813.

Debbie has over 20 years’ experience in the construction industry. Increasing involvement with the circular economy agenda over several years, both through work, studying the Innovation, Enterprise & Circular Economy PGCert and being co-organiser of the local Circular Economy Club chapter, resulted in Debbie establishing Cirklo Consult to focus on circular economy related training and support including Carbon Literacy & Circular Economy courses.

Debbie's keen interest in circular economy in construction led to her becoming a Director of The Rebuild Site CIC which takes surplus materials from construction sites and builders merchants diverting them from landfill to be reused or repurposed. She currently also works part time with The Alliance for Sustainable Building Products as a Reuse & Circular Economy Associate leading on the Reuse Now campaign.

An expert in challenge-led innovation and research at the intersection of industry and academia, with a proven track record of developing, launching and growing high-impact solutions nationally and internationally. History of successfully facilitating and supporting organisations to develop the capabilities and agility needed to reimagine their value-chains, interact with academia and become leaders in their industrial ecosystems.

As the Director of the Electric Revolution Skills Hub, Deepak has used his extensive knowledge in supporting nascent national markets in developing the right skills and talent pools, recently launching the ERS Hub to support UK innovation in line with the current and future skills needs for the Electrification/PEMD community.

Dhruv comes from a background in Technology and Cybersecurity with notable industry experience from companies such as St James' Place Wealth Management (Hong Kong), KPMG and BCS Consulting.

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Having graduated from the University of Manchester with a degree in Economics, Dhruv went on to work at start-up challenger Atom Bank. It was here that his passion for technology and building game-changing problem-solving solutions started.

Now, Dhruv has has co-founded tuck. a hospitality tech start-up called tuck. and has raised £750,000 in investment from notable angel investors and a VC. 

Kam Davis is not only a visionary entrepreneur but also a proud mother of two, skillfully navigating the realms of business and family life with grace and determination. As the CEO and Founder of Nylah's Naturals, a trailblazing vegan haircare brand tailored for Afro-textured and curly hair, Kam has emerged as a formidable force in the beauty and wellness industry.

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In 2020, Kam embarked on a mission to revolutionize haircare, dedicating herself to formulating a 100% natural, sustainably sourced haircare solution. Her relentless pursuit of excellence led her to collaborate with cosmetic scientists, trichologists, and traditional herbalists, resulting in a brilliant hair care product that has garnered acclaim and numerous industry accolades.

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Despite the challenges of entrepreneurship, Kam has seamlessly blended her role as a proud mother with the demands of running a successful business. Her ability to balance the intricacies of motherhood while steering Nylah's Naturals to widespread recognition and availability in major retailers such as Superdrug and Boots is a testament to her resilience and passion.

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Beyond the boardroom, Kam Davis stands as a beacon of inspiration, proving that one can achieve greatness in both personal and professional spheres. Her journey is not just a story of business triumph; it is a narrative of empowerment, innovation, and the fulfillment of dreams—a true testament to the extraordinary woman behind Nylah's Naturals

Kate Angel is the Head of Business Support Operations in the Aston Centre for Growth, Aston Business School which offers lifelong learning for Entrepreneurs. Kate has been in the Centre for over nine years and is currently a key member of the senior team. Kate manages the operations and is responsible for leading the successful delivery of Centres activities, ensuring quality, relevance and engagement for beneficiaries and stakeholders.  Kate holds substantial programme management experience across a number of high-profileprogrammes including Help to Grow: Management, Aston Programme for Small Business Growth and Green Advantage. She is a key member of the Pitch Up Steering group an investment readiness competition part of the Venturefest West Midlands annual event. 

Previously, as a Business Enterprise Manager for The Peter Jones Enterprise Academy, Kate specialised in sourcing business support for FE business students to support the underpinning of their learning and coordinated the set-up of FE Enterprise Programmes across the region. In this role Kate was awarded the first ever Business Enterprise Manager of the Year award by Peter Jones OBE. 

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Kate is an experienced marketer and has managed many successful marketing campaigns across a variety of roles.

Kezia Williamson leads on the development of the Place strategic priority for Innovate UK. Kezia has worked in innovation commercialisation for 15 years, both within and across sectors.

She has significant experience of developing programmes to enable companies to innovate. Specialising in business innovation and development through access to funding, she has helped companies and consortia across the UK to secure innovation funding, including early-stage equity investment.

Kezia has also run innovation funding programmes, managed large, international, collaborative research projects, established a data-driven insights and policy unit, and pioneered D&I programmes.

Following Mike’s extensive automotive career, has held Board roles in FTSE and NA listed businesses, and in leading UK Education, Sports, and Arts organisations focused on the West Midlands.

Retired as Executive Director of JLR in 2016 and a member of its Management Board from 2002-16. 

Has held a variety of NED roles including Pendragon plc, Uni-Select Inc, Aston University, Baker Dearing Education Trust, Warwickshire County Cricket Club and the Royal Shakespeare Company.

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Has contributed to government policy with leadership roles in the Automotive Investment Organisation, West Midlands CBI Council and EEF (now Make UK).

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Mike has been the independent Chair of the West Midlands Innovation Board since 2019.

Mark is an Audit Partner at Crowe UK based in the Midlands with over 30 years of experience. 

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Mark’s experience, gained primarily from working with businesses in the £5m to £100m turnover segment, gives him a broad spectrum of expertise to draw upon. His clients range from family-owned businesses to international and AIM listed groups. 

He works with broad range of clients with a string emphasis on the manufacturing sector.  His work with clients ranges from technical audit matters, accounting advice and support to business strategy and succession planning. Mark has a significant number of UK subsidiaries with parents in Europe and USA.

Until 2022 Mark was a Reader of Nanotechnology within the chemistry department of Loughborough University. Having joined the dept in April 2012 as a probationary lecturer, developing the area of aptamer sensors and resistive pulse sensors. He grew the research and impact over the 10 years to become a global leader in the field, working with collaborators in a range of industries and disciplines. The research developed novel IP and in 2019/20 Mark and Rhush Maugi explored the market fit and opportunity. They launched a spinout company called  “Figura Analytics” in 2021. Mark is now the CTO of the company and seconded into the company full time.

Figura Analytics aims to revolutionize the speed and accuracy of liquid analysis. The technology counts particles, of all shapes and sizes, to give you a ‘fingerprint’ of what your sample should look like. Launched in 2021 with £300k Innovate-UK funding, Figura Analytics secured >£900K of Venture Capital and Angel Investment. The beachhead market was the drinks industry, monitoring quality and microbiological contaminants. Working with Coca-Cola, Britvic, Tennents, St Austell Brewery and many others to validate the technology. In 2023 Figura launched its products and are growing sales in the UK and Europe, and more recently have been exploring the fit in medical, life sciences and pharmaceutical markets.

Professor Martin Levermore MBE has over 25 years of experience in the Life Science Sector. He Chairs Medilink Midlands, the region’s largest network of Life Science companies, and is the founder and CEO of Medical Devices Technology International Ltd (MDTi). 

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Martin is an adviser to Cancer Research UK, NED on the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust board, a Senior Associate with the Royal Society of Medicine, a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts

Prof. Levermore holds a Visiting Professorship in Health, Education and Life Science at Birmingham City University (BCU).

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Melanie Davidson is Chief Executive Officer of Medilink Midlands, the life sciences industry association that helps life sciences companies to establish, develop, and grow, through business support, connectivity, and collaboration.

Melanie has been with Medilink Midlands for thirteen years, starting out as an Innovation Project Manager before becoming Chief Operating Officer and then Chief Executive Officer.

She has a strong background in industrial research, business and economic development, and international investment, having held previous roles at the East Midlands Development Agency (emda), bioKneX, and West Pharmaceutical Services in the Drug Delivery Division.

With a BSc (Hons) in Animal Science from the University of Nottingham, Melanie also broadens Medilink Midlands’ bioscience reach.

At Medilink Midlands, Melanie has overseen the transition of Medilink West Midlands and Medilink East Midlands to one, unified organisation and has managed the funding applications that will help sustain Medilink Midlands well into the future and enable it to continue to deliver innovation and business support to all its members.

Pamela has been working with aerospace supply chain companies to uncover the potential of innovative ideas within their organisations and to improve products and manufacturing processes for almost 10 years at Midlands Aerospace Alliance.

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The MAA has developed a trusted approach which allows companies to get rapid access to funding, be mentored through the process and to distil the essential advice needed on novel topics such as additive manufacturing.

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Pamela has a background in defence materials and structures R&D, and of managing high integrity verification projects in academia. Experience across many technology areas and in developing inter-disciplinary proposals was good preparation for the breadth of work at MAA.

Pam Sheemar Regional Director Enterprise, Midlands and East of England, leads the entrepreneurship delivery team for NatWest. Pam has over 10 years’ experience in banking and finance sector. Previous roles have included Director for Commercial Banking leading a team of Relationship Directors and Managers who portfolio managed 100’s of business customers from £2m turnover to £45 million turnover.

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Pam has extensive experience in entrepreneurship leading the longest standing NatWest Accelerator, whilst also coaching and mentoring start-ups and scale ups.

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Pam is Founding Director for Birmingham Tech since 2019 and its recent rebrand to TechWM positively impacting the Tech Start-Up and Scale-Up ecosystem.

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Pam is passionate about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and this runs through all that she does leading change across her industry as Global chair of the Multicultural network for NatWest.  Pam is also a Magistrate sitting on Crime bench and extends this work to Diversity Community Relations Magistrate.

Pam is the founding Director of the Innovation Alliance for the West Midlands, a partnership working to stimulate innovation across the West Midlands through building a vibrant innovation ecosystem and catalysing collaborative activity focussed on demand-led innovation.

She is also a founder and Executive Chair of Venturefest West Midlands. 

A recognised authority in innovation as a driver for economic growth and improved public services, Pam has designed and delivered the WM Innovation Programme with WMCA and multiple business-facing partners. She was awarded an OBE for ‘services to innovation in the West Midlands in 2019.

Paula Whitehouse is Deputy Dean Enterprise and Engagement in the College of Business and Social Sciences at Aston University, and Director of the Aston Centre for Growth where she has developed a portfolio of growth programmes and business support initiatives for entrepreneurs and small business leaders.  Paula was awarded the Chancellor’s Medal by Aston University in 2021.

Working with the Chartered Association of Business Schools, Paula is Curriculum Director for the UK Government’s Help to Grow: Management Course delivered throughout the UK by Small Business Charter accredited business schools.  She was also Curriculum Director for the government’s Small Business Leadership Programme which helped 2,800 business leaders build resilience and recovery during the Covid-19 pandemic.  Paula chairs accreditation panels for the Small Business Charter and in 2018 gave evidence on behalf of the Small Business Charter to the House of Commons BEIS Committee Small Business and Productivity Inquiry. 

As Section Lead and speaker for the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses UK programme Paula has supported hundreds of entrepreneurs through its intensive leadership and management education since 2011.  She has also worked with the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women programme in India supporting their curriculum development.  Paula is a Fellow of the Chartered Association of Business Schools, a Trustee of Ex Cathedra, a leading UK choir and early music ensemble, a Fellow of the RSA, a member of the West Midlands Co-Investment Fund Advisory Committee and a member of the Help to Grow: Management Alumni Advisory Panel.

Surlender Pendress is versatile entrepreneur of children’s resources focused on the early learning resources and publishing sector.

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As Co-founder of "Love Writing Co " Surlender seamlessly combines a passion for creating educational products with her e-commerce expertise.  She has transformed her venture into a go-to platform for parents and educators seeking innovative writing tools.

Having the ability to understand the early learning sector needs and translate them into visually striking designs and innovative resources sets her apart.

Love Writing Co. has attracted substantial investment to support global expansion and the acquisition of two prestigious global licenses will help support Love Writing Co’s mission to innovate children's early learning.

Surlender is not just an entrepreneur, but a visionary dedicated to making learning a joyous adventure for every child, while actively contributing to the growth and success of fellow female founders.

Tim is a Digital Media Entrepreneur focused on virtual reality (VR) building on expertise in the UK Video game industry.

He has run Regional Innovation programmes for the UK Government and supported in the establishment of University Institutes researching 3D environment for teaching and learning. Recently he established a VR development studio in the West Midlands (exited in 2020).

Tim is the Innovation lead for Create Central supporting an ecosystem which encourages cross sector collaboration with the regional digital creative sector. He also mentors entrepreneurs developing new technology solutions, sits on the Telford Business Board and is an advisor for the DiT Global Entrepreneur Programme.

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Tony Harper is the Challenge Director for UKRI’s Faraday Battery Challenge, delivered by Innovate UK. In this capacity, he is responsible for the UK Government’s £610m investment delivering a mission-led, research and innovation program that covers “Lab to Factory” development, cutting-edge research, national scale-up infrastructure and skills development.

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Tony was previously Director of Engineering Research for Jaguar Land Rover; responsible for the identification, development and de-risking of new technology into JLR products for over 10 years.

Tony is a Fellow of The Royal Academy of Engineering, Chartered Engineer, fellow of the IMechE.

Trias is an Innovation Lead in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, working in the delivery of the Bridge AI programme, a £100 million Innovate UK-led investment that aims to increase business productivity in sectors of the UK economy by stimulating adoption of AI & ML.

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His experience spans Aerospace Engineering (Drones) and Life Sciences with expertise in Bioinformatics and Gene Regulation, and  extensive experience in researching emerging technologies and assessing commercialisation pathways in particular in the engineering and digital domain.

I am currently interested in the development of public policies to boost ROI in industrial R&D programs backed by public funds.