SMARTER NETWORKING - Key Persons
Bryan Foss is an experienced PLC NED, audit, risk, remcom, noms & governance chair. Qualified as an IoD Chartered Director and in the marketing, finance and technology professions, he has additional board NED experience in the UK central and regional public sector, NFP and startup businesses. Bryan's focus is on practical application and continuous personal development. Previously an international board executive with IBM Corporation, he has significant Financial Services and other regulated sector skills.
Caroline Evans is the founder of MindLeap, a corporate governance boutique. She connects and collaborates with a variety of individuals and companies across the corporate governance community providing expert advice, practical support and guidance within this complex arena. Caroline has a background encompassing professional services, recruitment and SME leadership. She is a Senior Associate for a niche consultancy, co-hosts workshops for a NED search firm and organises growth company seminars for a not-for-profit retail investor society.
Ellie Doohan is an Executive Coach and also provides senior legal support and cultural change consultancy. She is a seasoned leader having spent 17 years with Asda and Wal-Mart where she sat on the board of Asda for many years. She has strong international experience including Non-Exec Chair of a £1.2bn international procurement and sourcing company operating in over 10 countries and has led teams across the UK, Africa, Canada and the US. Ellie brings her unique blend of Executive and Non-Exec experience to her coaching practice and really understands the challenges faced by senior leaders.
Heather White is the CEO and founder of Smarter Networking Limited. She is a Networking and Personal Brand Expert and for the last 15 years has not only trained thousands on how to access the right people, she has personally connected hundreds of people. Through these combined experiences Heather created Boardroom Ready to answer the frustration of senior executives seeking commercial boardroom experience. Her principal role is to find and match senior executives with boards across all sectors, offering networking coaching where relevant.
An eminent speaker and serial entrepreneur, Liz Shanahan is recognised as a global leader in Healthcare and Lifesciences. An extremely experienced, C-suite executive, with deep management and communications consultancy expertise, Liz sold her first business, a specialist healthcare & LifeScience communication consultancy, to a NYSE listed management consultancy, becoming their Global Head of Healthcare & Lifesciences and Strategic Lead for a number of years. On exiting, she has continued to develop and become involved in a number of businesses and holds a number of NEDships, including Chelsea & Westminster Hospital. As one of the sector's most experienced counsels she continues to advise CEOs in many of the world's leading organizations. Her clients include start-up's in health tech as well as corporate giants such as the WHO, GSK, Boots, Pfizer, Novartis and the World Economic Forum.
Matt Craven is a thought-leader in personal branding and career enhancement with a track record of enhancing his client's ability to advance their careers. His varied client base has included some of the UK's top executives from Premier League Football Chairman to Executive Mentors who have guided ex-Apprentice contestants to success. He is an expert on all things related to finding a Board position, a NED post or an Interim Management assignment. Matt's three key areas of expertise focus on how to construct a great Executive Biography, how to maximise your effectiveness in interviews and how to create a LinkedIn profile that will increase visibility and appeal.
Naomi is a successful PLC Executive, former McKinsey Consultant, Leadership Coach and Trouble-shooter all rolled into one, working with C- and D- level Executives to shape, enable and deliver culture and strategic change that really makes a practical difference to business performance. With extensive international experience in industry, Naomi now operates independently as Leadership Unleashed, adding value to both SMEs and large corporates across a wide range of industries.
Job Titles:
- Executive Coach and CEO of the Red Rubber Ball Company
Neil is an Executive Coach and CEO of the Red Rubber Ball Company, coaching entrepreneurs and senior managers into Director positions. A qualified Accountant and trainer of NLP, Neil combines commerce with leading-edge personal development skills. He is a former YMCA Chair, taking the board and management through a major change in roles, and he balances his life running the Red Rubber Ball Foundation, an education charity he formed.
Richard Cook is a serial entrepreneur who has started, built up and sold out businesses in property, publishing, bars, restaurants, finance and technology. In 2013 he was voted the best UK business mentor. Richard is currently a Non Executive Director on over 15 boards and is a Trustee of the Starlight Children's Foundation. Richard has been a magistrate for 20+ years and he also lectures on entrepreneurship on the university circuit.
Richard Stanton has over 25 years of experience in successful international and domestic programme and project delivery. Richard worked for HM Prison Service for 15 years before moving to senior roles across the UK Public Sector. In 2004, Richard became an independent management consultant and has successfully managed a number of high profile international business change projects. In 2007 he established Czar Consulting Ltd. Richard is very experienced at bringing tangible business benefits to organisations. Comfortable with working at operational and Board / Ministerial level, Richard fully recognises the value of maintaining an extensive network of trusted connections.
With 15+ years in People Development in the UK, Europe and Middle East, Sarae delivers high impact programmes that shape new behaviours and capabilities. She works with high potential leaders such as MBA students, headteachers, directors and consultants from organisations including EY, KPMG, Sky, Birkbeck University and London Business School. Sarae is a great believer in "walking her talk" and enjoys helping others grow their skills and confidence as smart networkers. Sarae has a Postgraduate in Human Resource Management, is a career coach and practitioner of MBTI and NEO tools.