Hub Mentors

David Chapman

Mentor

Areas of speciality:

Core Expertise

David’s major areas of expertise are:

• Consulting and professional services
• Engineering and manufacturing
• Supply and distribution

Experience

David’s experience is based on new business development in digital print and graphics technology. From packaging automation to 3D and the latest industrial print technologies, he have worked with some amazing teams across many global businesses and cultures. He was also seconded to the FCDO as a senior diplomat based in Japan, helping small, medium and large UK companies to sell and invest into the Japanese market.

Much of his work has been around developing business strategy and new business based on novel technology and products. He has built international channels to market, established overseas offices, negotiated strategic partnerships and driven numerous technology projects.

When he discovered the impact that performance coaching could have, he decided to step back from the coal face and train as a professional business coach and facilitator, with a particular focus on team and individual development.

“This combination of skills and experience underpins my style as a Hub Mentor, a role that gives me huge satisfaction as I see the results that mentees can achieve.”

Click here to view David's LinkedIn Profile

Ian Bourne

Mentor

Areas of speciality:

Current Position

CEO, Cloud2020

Core Expertise

Denise’s major areas of expertise are:

• Consulting and Professional Services
• IT and Infrastructure

Experience:

Ian has a wide and varied background, from eight years with Cunard as a navigator, 10 years with the Ministry of Defence as a captain of various ships and research vessels, a ship’s pilot for the navy, head of marine services and Chief Pilot in Gibraltar, time in MOD HQ including setting in place ISO9000 for the department and finally moving into more commercial experience.

Following a short period as a Project Manager for Vosper Thornycroft, he ran the bids for Hampshire, Isle of Wight and West Sussex careers services when they were privatised and having one them set up two joint ventures to run them.  He then ran the careers service company for Hampshire and Isle of Wight for three years before becoming CEO of the Careers Services National Association for 2 years before taking over the MDs role at Capital Careers based in London for two years, turning the business around and making it saleable.

Ian then moved into the tech field and set up a company to support charities, education institutions and students with purchasing discounted software and then with the advent of software as a service set up my current company, Cloud2020, to deliver Microsoft Business Applications – Dynamics sales, marketing, customer services, finance, HR, operations, field service etc – with a focus on the SMB sector.

Ian lives on a small holding with horses, goats, ducks, chickens and bees and in his ‘spare’ time he is Captain of the historic steam ship, “Shieldhall” and plays saxophone in a band.

“My experience delivering business applications to SMBs has provided me with a wealth of experience with new and growing businesses.”

 

Click here to view Ian's LinkedIn Profile

Charlie Ogden-Metherell

Mentor

Areas of speciality:

Current position

Founder and CEO, i2i Recruitment Consultancy

Experience

At the age of 28 Charlie founded her company from her garden shed and it has now grown to employing 25 staff and is the leading independent recruitment consultancy in Gloucestershire.

Charlie has had experience of starting a business from the ground up with a very small amount of investment. Her experience stretches to all aspects of running a business and knowing when to call upon experts. She understands the ups and downs of starting out and then growing the business once the honeymoon period is over. She has first-hand experience of recruiting her own staff and deciding and implementing a plan to cover budgets, strategy, succession planning, accounts, HR and so much more.

“I wanted to be a Hub Mentor to use my experience to enable people to have the confidence to either make the first step or the next step in their journey.”

Click here to view Charlie's LinkedIn profile

David Brewis

Mentor

Areas of speciality:

Core Expertise

David’s major areas of expertise are:

• Marketing and Advertising
• Food and Beverage
• Retail

Experience:

David’s experience is in Marketing, Sales, Finance and Consultancy and he has developed it in businesses ranging in size from multinational to owner/manager and including family owned. He has worked at Director level and has experience of developing and implementing business strategy and team building as well as understanding and influencing the culture of an organisation.

David worked in business sectors as diverse as food, pet food, furniture, transport, education and professional support and can work successfully in a variety of environments. Most recently he had a famers’ market stall selling homemade gluten free bakery products – he was also the chef!

“I moved to Gloucester about 4 years ago and am really keen to use my skills and experience to help independent businesses succeed.”

Click here to view David's LinkedIn Profile

Colin Hall-Tomkin

Mentor

Areas of speciality:

Current position

Property Development

Core Expertise

Colin’s major areas of expertise are:

• Banking
• Financial Services

Experience:

After studying Economics at University, I joined Barclays Bank on their graduate training scheme and remained in the banking sector for 14 years, my final role being as a Corporate Bank Manager in Bristol.

I then moved on to work for the Jelf Group PLC, who specialised in the insurance, financial planning and employee benefits sectors. I successfully set up the Commercial Finance division at Jelf before taking on the role of Client Management & Banking Director, and after 15 years, left the organisation in 2020. I now focus on my property business, as well as making private investments and being on the Board of a Charity in Somerset.

As a mentor my primary strengths lie in business banking and finance, business relationship management and business improvement based on client feedback.

“I thoroughly enjoy working with small businesses and using my experience to help them grow.”

 

Click here to view Colin's LinkedIn Profile

David Snell

Mentor

Areas of speciality:

Core Expertise

David’s major areas of expertise are:

• Marketing, Advertising and PR
• Supply and Distribution
• Visitor Economy

Experience:

David’s experience is based on setting up, building and managing a small business from scratch and eventually successfully selling it. He achieved this three times during his career with businesses in office services (interior landscaping service), the event industry (marquee and event hire) and the food production industry (bakery).

His work within these businesses involved setting the business up from scratch, buying and selling businesses, managing a team of people, budgeting and strategic planning, sales and marketing and business development.

He sold his last business two years ago and moved to Cheltenham to enjoy retirement. But he still has a business itch that needs scratching!

David still has a range of commitments now that he is “retired”, but is keen to work with business leaders to achieve their goals by sharing his experiences and acting as a sounding board for their ideas and aspirations.

“I love building businesses with potential and I want to help people who have enthusiasm and energy and the motivation and will to succeed with a good business idea.”

David Jackson

Mentor

Areas of speciality:

Current Position

Managing Director, The Cabling Company

Core Expertise

David’s major areas of expertise are:

• Marketing and Advertising
• IT and Infrastructure
• Construction and Buildings

Experience:

With 34 years of experience in Sales and Marketing Roles and over a decade of running his own business, David gained valuable insight and experiences that he is excited to share with others. As a managing director in a diverse industry, he has worked with some incredible individuals who have greatly contributed to his growth and learning of what it takes to succeed in the ever-changing landscape of business.

Working in the fast moving technology sector, his knowledge has evolved with the times and allowed him to position his company as a strong thought leader within the tech and infrastructure industry. Combined with his previous background as a Commercial Director for Oxford United Football Club and senior sales positions in earlier careers, this experience has been instrumental in his success in winning, designing and carrying out large-scale projects for brands such as Disney, Ocado and the NHS.

He has always been a strong advocate for mentorship and believes that it’s essential for the growth and development of both new and seasoned professionals in industry.

“I’m very excited about the opportunity to serve as a mentor and I’m committed to sharing my experience and insights with the next generation of professionals.”

Click here to view David's LinkedIn Profile