Averil Wilson
Managing director, Apex Hotels
Averil Wilson is the managing director of Apex Hotels. Averil trained as a chartered accountant with KPMG in London before working for them in Auckland after completing her qualification. Avril later returned to London with the company as associate director specialising in hotels, leisure & media. Averil returned to Scotland in 2009, initially working within wholesale equity finance at Lloyds Banking Group, before joining Apex Hotels Group as finance director in 2011 before being appointed as managing director in 2020. Averil enjoys the challenge of working for an independent hotel group, supporting the business and the leadership team to ensure that Apex stands out from the crowd.
Elly Rowley
Head of accelerator, NatWest
Elly Rowley is regional ecosystem manager for NatWest in the Southwest, leading enterprise, and signposting support to entrepreneurs through her extensive network to increase connectivity and accessibility across communities. NatWest is the leading UK bank for entrepreneurs, providing support to around one in four businesses throughout the country. Being purpose-led, Natwest champion the potential of people, families, and businesses across the UK, focussing on the areas where we can have the biggest positive impact across society.
James Lowther
CEO, Truespeed
Appointed Truespeed CEO in December 2021, James is leading the company through its current expansion. James has a wealth of senior telecoms experience and proven track record of leading businesses through significant growth phases.
Martin Buckland
Owner, Marlin Communications
Martin founded the business as a small independent in 1998 which became Datasharp Integrated Communications (part of the Datasharp Group) in 1999. He has led and steered the company ever since. In June 2022, he took the business through a rebrand and relaunched as Marlin Communications – a fully independent company delivering market-leading business communications technology systems that help companies connect, collaborate and grow. Martin continues to drive the business forward, actively managing relationships with stakeholders, making key appointments and building relationships with client executives.
Patrick Mill
CEO, Novia
Patrick began his career at Prudential as a financial advisor before progressing into senior leadership roles within the advice industry. He was managing director at Bradford and Bingley ran the UK’s largest IFA network at the time. Since then, Patrick has held several roles in the advice industry before working with AnaCap Financial Partners for three years to develop its Wealth Management strategy and the acquisition of Wealthtime and Amber. Patrick has been group CEO and a board member since July 2021.
Renée Jacobs
Founder, The Belonging Network
Renée Jacobs is the founder of The Belonging Network, an organisation which is passionate about supporting and empowering individuals from UK minority and low-income backgrounds, as well as LGBTQ+ people in the workplace. A positive and driven go-getter, who is determined in supporting the success of those she works with, Renée is a TEDx speaker, a partner business manager at Aria Networks and a NED at TechSPARK, the not-for-profit tech community that is dedicated to connecting, educating, and strengthening tech ecosystems from Swindon to Swansea.
John Law
Director, Woodhouse & Law
Averil Wilson is the managing director of Apex Hotels. Averil trained as a chartered accountant with KPMG in London before working for them in Auckland after completing her qualification. Avril later returned to London with the company as associate director specialising in hotels, leisure & media. Averil returned to Scotland in 2009, initially working within wholesale equity finance at Lloyds Banking Group, before joining Apex Hotels Group as finance director in 2011 before being appointed as managing director in 2020. Averil enjoys the challenge of working for an independent hotel group, supporting the business and the leadership team to ensure that Apex stands out from the crowd.
Katie Calvert-Jones
Head of international engagement, University of Bath School of Management
Katie heads up international & alumni engagement for the University of Bath, School of Management. She builds communities and networks and is a passionate advocate of business as a positive force for good. She’s particularly keen to support local innovation and entrepreneurialism.
Louise Harvey
Head of operations, St John’s Foundation
Louise joined St John’s Foundation in 2005 and works to continuously extend the reach and impact of the charity’s core services, whilst supporting employees and local organisations in realising their potential. Louise’s role includes being director of St John’s Hospital Trading Company, a subsidiary of the charity that embarked on a new venture at the start of 2022 – the House of St John’s. This beautifully renovated workspace offers private offices, dedicated desks, co-working, meeting rooms and event space. All profits are gifted to St John’s to support their work in eradicating societal inequalities in B&NES.
Victoria Bond
Founder, School Guide
Victoria Bond is the founder and CEO of School Guide, the UK’s leading school information website. Victoria and her team have created partnerships with Rightmove and Mumsnet and helped 20 million parents find the best school for their child. A former Sunday Times and Daily Telegraph journalist, Victoria also writes and speaks on education issues and has a regular column in Bath Life. Victoria lives in Bath with her two teenage sons and Mini-Labradoodle (who never eats her homework).