Meet our Board of Directors

Kevin Harris

RSM UK Audit LLP

Kevin is a strong advocate for the Leicestershire community, having been Immediate Past-Chair of the Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP). Kevin is Managing Partner of the Leicester office of RSM and has decades of strategic accountancy experience.

Stuart Dawkins

Stuart has a broad range of business and banking experience, including strategic planning and corporate communications for a FTSE100 company. His portfolio of non-executive and advisory roles includes serving on boards for several large organisations.

Lindsey Williams

Futures Housing Group

Lindsey is passionate about social housing. As an active member of the Chartered Institute of Housing, she plays a key role in boosting the housing sector’s profile with central government. Lindsey is Group Chief Executive of Futures Housing.

Dawn Whitemore

SMB College Group

Dawn has a track record of delivering significant business and quality improvements, along with sustainable financial turnarounds. Dawn has decades of experience as a senior leader in the further and higher education sectors and is Principal and CEO of SMB College Group.

Scott Knowles DL

East Midlands Chamber

Scott represents the Chamber, our members and our communities, managing various capital and revenue generating projects. Scott has a proven track record in the communications technology sector, helping organisations and businesses embrace emerging technologies.

Eileen Richards MBE DL

Eileen Richards Recruitment

Eileen has won a series of accolades for her achievements, and her various roles include the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire. Eileen is Co-Chair of our Enterprising Women network, and is the founder and director of ER Recruitment Ltd.

Mark Deakin

Turner & Townsend

Mark has taken an active role in leading local development, regeneration and people development projects, as well as large global projects for Rolls-Royce and Amazon. Mark’s high-profile responsibilities include various chair and director roles.

Craig Brothers

Affari Media

Craig is co-founder of Nottingham based Creative Agency - Affari Media. Affari works with an array of national and global clients helping to forge engagement approaches across their business functions. The agency works closely to nurture local talent through both Nottingham Universities, these partnerships have ensured Affari have built a growing reputation for immersive technology; VR, AR, Holography and interactive video.

Dr Peter Dewhurst

University of Derby

Peter has an impressive senior management background in academia. He has supported the economic development and regeneration agendas of Derby City and Derbyshire. He also serves as Vice-Chair of Business Peak District and Chair of the Peak District Partnership.

Jaffer Kapasi OBE

J A Kapasi & Co

Jaffer is a board-level executive for several high-profile organisations including ITV. He is actively involved in supporting diversity and inclusion with local universities, housing associations and charities. Jaffer is also Managing Director of his own accountancy practice.

Martin Rigley MBE

Lindhurst Engineering

Martin has a passion for helping the next generation of manufacturing and engineering businesses in the UK. He acts as a business coach and mentor to a number of "makers", and he’s a non-executive director and chair for a number of East Midlands organisations.

John Robinson

The Institute of Export & International Trade

John successfully merged his international trade expertise, gained by senior roles in NATO and the RAF, to teach at local colleges and universities. John is the Education Secretary of the East Midlands branch of the Institute of Export and a fellow of the Academia Board.

David Williams DL

Geldards LLP

David has represented the region on a local and international level for many years. He holds several non-executive and trustee positions, including Deputy Lieutenant for the County of Derbyshire and Deputy Chair of D2N2 LEP. David is Chairman of Geldards LLP.

Dr Cham Kang

Qinesis

Cham is passionate about innovation and developing new markets. As a business and marketing consultant/coach for the STEM sectors, he has worked with global multinationals and SMEs. Cham has expertise in chemicals, healthcare, biotech, pharma and cosmetics.

Anjuu Trevedi MBE

Twycross Zoo

In March 2022, Anjuu took on her current role at Twycross Zoo, a mini higher education campus delivering associated services. Anjuu’s responsibilities include identifying, engaging, and developing strategic mutually beneficial partnerships, primarily with universities; enabling delivery of a biodiversity conservation-led research and educational ‘centre of excellence’ in the heart of the midlands.

Emma Baumback

Future Wealth Life Management

Emma is passionate about supporting young professionals and helping them to succeed and grow, and she is Immediate Past-Chair of the Board for Generation Next. Emma is an Independent Financial Planner for Future Life Wealth Management based in Northeast Derbyshire.

Neil Williams

Amazon UK

Neil has decades of media and public relations experience, including working for Amazon. His public relations agency worked with GlaxoWellcome, BHP and Kimberley-Clark. Neil was also on the leadership team for a North American joint venture for Rolls-Royce.