Advisory Group
Our advisory group is exceptionally well-networked within the business community of the South West, and its members are expert in their fields. They help us to understand the characteristics and needs of different sectors. We work with them to ensure that our activities meet those needs, and are as widely publicised as possible. At this time, we are not seeking additional advisory group members, although we expect that the group’s composition will develop as we embark on new initiatives.
Meet our Advisory Group
​​RUTH LAMBERT
DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, FEDERATION OF SMALL BUSINESSES
Ruth is the Development Manager for the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) in Somerset and Wiltshire. FSB is a not for profit membership association supporting smaller businesses through a range of useful benefits which provide the back of house support they need plus a lobbying voice for the small business community on a national and local basis. FSB have around 150,000 members nationwide, with around 24,000 in the South West.
In addition to working for FSB, Ruth has experience running her own small businesses and in providing business support via both a local authority and Business Link. She has worked extensively across the culture, hospitality, leisure and retail industry and uses this experience, plus feedback from local members to shape the work she does across Somerset and Wiltshire.
ANDREW YEARSLEY
CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER, BISHOP FLEMING
Andrew is Chief Technology Office at Bishop Fleming, a UK accountancy firm that providing a comprehensive range of services across a wide range of sectors.
A large portion of Bishop Fleming’s client base are SME’s based in the South West. Andrew's perspective is that getting involved with SWCRC is a great way to help keep these clients secure, which ultimately helps with Bishop Fleming’s own Cyber Security.
STEPHEN MARIADAS
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AT THE SOUTH WEST INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Steve Mariadas is the CEO of the South West Institute of Technology. He has a wide range of experience in both industry and education having held the position of Chief Information Officer for a European airline. Since moving into education ten years ago, he has been instrumental in building digital and data apprenticeships across the region.
Steve was awarded a Technical Teaching Fellowship by the Royal Commission and works closely with the Department for Education and Gatsby Foundation.
ROBIN KING
CHAIR OF THE SOUTH WEST CYBER SECURITY CLUSTER
Robin is an experienced, sales-focussed business manager with a specialism within the Technology and Security markets. He has held senior roles within a range of companies, bringing together the skills of highly experienced teams to lead solutions and services into a range of public and private sector markets, notably the Defence and Security sectors in both the UK and overseas. He has a particular interest in cyber security, retains senior relationships relevant to the UK technology-based innovation market including those with Government, the System Integration and Prime Contractor communities and with several Academic institutions.
Robin has represented the interests of the UK SME sector within UK and International trade organisations to include UKTI, UK Council for Electronic Business (UKCeB), UK ADS Group (as a member of the Defence Small Medium Enterprise Committee) and the internationally recognised Transglobal Secure Collaboration Program (TSCP) with interest in securing supply chain interoperability. He was an invited member of the UK Prime Ministerial Trade Delegation to the US to represent UK SME Cyber Security interests.
Amongst other activities, Robin is a trusted advisor to a number of cyber security businesses as they establish market presence within the specialist sectors of defence and security markets with a particular interest in Industrial Control System provision for Critical National Infrastructure.
TOM MARSHALL
COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS MANAGER AT BUSINESS CYBER CENTRE
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Tom is the business development manager for the Business Cyber Centre (BCC), the UK's first business-led cyber centre. Tom has a strong background in commercial and residential property, as well as working with start-ups and micro-SMEs through to large corporates and MoD primes. As lead for the BCC, Tom is focused on mobilising the physical premises whilst establishing the commercial strategy for the BCC as a start-up business.
VINCE McCONVILLE
INNOVATION AND GROWTH SPECIALIST - INNOVATE UK EDGE SW
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Vince is an Innovation & Growth Specialist providing support to technology focused innovative companies across the SW as part of the Innovate UK EDGE programme.
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Previously he was the Digital Futures Sector Lead at the Heart of the SW LEP, and prior to that he ran his own Business Consultancy specialising in helping businesses with Technology, Digital & Web. He has also worked as a director of a bespoke software development company & internet marketing company.
Vince is also an experienced business advisor having worked for Business Link & on various business support programmes such as Connecting Devon & Somerset, Superfast Business, Superfast Cornwall, and the Heart of the South West Growth Hub.
PHIL BRIDGEMAN
HEAD OF MEMBERSHIP AND CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE AT BUSINESS WEST CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE
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Business West Chambers of Commerce is the largest business membership organisation in the South West. Phil manages the membership team and helps Chambers of Commerce members across Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Bristol, and Bath connect, grow and improve their business.
Having worked predominantly in sales, service and account management roles and more recently in business support, Phil's passion is finding ways to help customers solve their problems.
Business West is rated as one of the best companies to work for in business services and is a newly-certified B Corp. 21,000 businesses trust Business West to help them start, grow, innovate and export - as well as lobby the government on their behalf.
PAUL SMITH
CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER, AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
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Paul is currently the Global Chief Information Officer for Amnesty International, the world’s largest Human Rights organisation. He has over 20 years’ experience in senior technology roles, having lead teams internationally for organisations with up to 3,000 employees, 40,000 volunteers and 10 million supporters - operating globally with revenue up to $1B. This experience cuts across numerous and varied sectors, technical domains, cultures and geographical regions, worldwide - including Defence, Construction & Engineering, Government Services, Expeditionary Infrastructure, Aviation Solutions, IT & Communications, Dispersed Contingency Operations, Equipment and Systems, Worldwide Power Generation, Global Disaster Relief, Global Logistics, Direct Marketing (multi-vertical), Not-for-Profit Maritime Search and Rescue and of course Human Rights”.
STEVE HODGSON
REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF POLICE PROCUREMENT
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Steve is the Regional Director of Police Procurement providing oversight to suppliers of goods and services to Devon and Cornwall, Avon and Somerset, Dorset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Police Forces.
DEE-ANNE BRUCE
STRATEGY AND POLICY ADVISOR, KAZE CONSULTING
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Dee-Anne has extensive experience in managing complex operations, leading multi-disciplinary teams, pioneering strategic policy change and achieving sustainable transformation. Dee-Anne is passionate about helping organisations with business challenges, transforming ways of working and embedding positive change results. Dee-Anne is also a co-founder of the Womens Cyber Circle - Inspiring, empowering and supporting women to thrive in the cyber profession.