ROCBF - Key Persons
A chartered banker with 43 years' experience of fund management, debt/ equity placement and support for SME business owners/ boards/ teams.
After nine years at Development Bank of Wales, his penultimate role was Area Manager for the southwest. His last role was as fund manager for the Wales Tourism fund, one of the first Welsh Government initiated funds to include debt and grant.
Since leaving Dev Bank, Alun has been running his own consultancy business helping SMEs with succession and growth. Alongside this he supports Investor Ready and Sustainable Scale up programs for the Welsh Government Food and Drink division.
Since leaving Dev Bank, Alun has been running his own consultancy business helping SMEs with succession and growth. Alongside this he supports Investor Ready and Sustainable Scale up programs for the Welsh Government Food and Drink division. See www.bic-innovation.com
Job Titles:
- Accounts Assistant
- Finance
What do you do at ROCBF? - I work part time with ROCBF and spend the majority of my time dealing with enquiries and processing applications for our Home Owner loan schemes. I also support the finance department with maintaining accurate customer records and financial reporting.
What did you do before working ROCBF? - I worked for another local firm and on a self employed basis within accounting.
What do you outside of ROCBF? - I still work within accounting for another firm and on a self employed basis; and enjoy spending my spare time with my children and traveling.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive
- Chief Executive, ART Business Loans
Dr Steve Walker has been Chief Executive of ART Business Loans since launch in 1997.
Steve was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in 2007 by the University of Birmingham for services to enterprise and access to finance.
He was named Responsible Finance Leader of the year at the 2018 Citi Microentreneurship Awards.
What do you do at ROCBF? - Client liaison and assessor for the renewable energy & home loan applications, that ROCBF administer on behalf of Powys Council and the Welsh Government.
What did you do before working at ROCBF? - 30 years' experience of customer facing roles in the private & public sector. I'm a big believer in good old-fashioned customer service & values.
Outside of ROCBF - Happily married to Mike for the last 20 years, our "babies" usually have fur or feathers. Currently have an aged and grumpy moggy, a Shetland pony that thinks he is a dog and a thoroughbred ex-racehorse who tries to eat people.
Job Titles:
- Business Founder and Consultant
Nick has been supporting founders and teams to build purposeful, productive organisations for over 25 years.
He has set up and developed a number of businesses across brand, culture and organisational development, event and venue management.
He is currently the founding director of purpose-driven brand and culture change consultancy, Neo (www.weareneo.com) and a trustee of a global citizenship leaders, Welsh Centre for International Affairs (www.wcia.org.uk).
He is also a consultant, coach and mentor for founders and people looking to become agents of change within their organisations.
Nick is a Clore Social Leadership and Tuff Leadership trained coach and has led companies through the sustainability ‘B Corp' certification.
He is an active participant in a range of networks including Reinventing Work, Better Business Network and Cwmpas. He has organised conferences, seminars and network meet-ups, and has recently become a local host of the ‘People Planet Pint' sustainable business networking,
He has been a guest speaker for a range of events including the University of Chester's Centre for Research into Environmental Science and Technology (CREST) programme, University of Wolverhampton business start up programme, Mid Wales Enterprise Hub and the arts sector's environmental charity Julie's Bicycle.
What do you do at ROCBF? - I assess and process business loan enquiries while supporting the day to day operations, compliance and other lending schemes when needed.
What did you do before working at ROCBF? - Before joining ROCBF I worked in various aspects of the recruitment industry, with my last role being Recruitment Advertising Coordinator for a nationwide, private healthcare company.
Outside of ROCBF - Outside of ROCBF I generally spend my spare time making sure my two children make it to their various social activities or enjoying some family time.