John Bennett

John graduated from what is now Coventry University with a degree in Electrical Engineering and has spent most of his career in high technology businesses in the Midlands area. During that time he has worked in most areas of the businesses including product design and development, product management, operations management, sales and marketing and after sales support working extensively in Europe, North America and the Far East. John’s expertise spans all aspects of running small to medium sized enterprises, in particular setting up appropriate systems for monitoring and controlling activity and performance across all parts of a business.

John now works as an independent business consultant and has worked with Business Enterprise Works as a Business Mentor since 2007. In his work with BEW, John aims to bring experience gained over more than 30 years to help new and early stage businesses operate in a professional and
profitable manner.

                                                                                                                      
Chris Bayliss

A successful company director with extensive experience of manufacturing and sales in tough market sectors, with a focus on high levels of customer service and quality, combined with product innovation and continuous improvement.

Customer focussed, with an in-depth knowledge of the Automotive and Industrial original equipment and replacement markets, acquired both as a Sales & Marketing Director, and Managing Director.  In addition, have substantial experience in the Construction market for Building Products, with specification sales to Contractors, and the distribution of these products through Builders Merchant wholesale chains.

Have sold in many International Markets and have worked for both a French and Swiss multi-national group of companies.

I now work as a Business Angel investing in start up businesses, as well as providing practical help to speed up their profitable sales growth.

William Barron

I work as the catalyst, facilitator and
talent hunter, helping people who have a deep down urge to make changes in their businesses and lives. I have coached and mentored hundreds of people, who have all had one thing in common. They are all interested in being more, doing more and having more. It includes managers, directors, professionals and individuals from small and medium sized companies or organisations… and you are like them?

I help them recognize and understand their gifts, skills and strengths that were always there but often never given quite the right priority. Overall I am able to help people learn and develop hidden assets, allowing them to reach greater success in their businesses, careers and life.

I get a huge kick out of helping people have “kerchang and lightbulb” moments and seeing their eyes light up ...it’s priceless and incredibly rewarding. If you want to find your dreams, I can help you realise them.

Core characteristics include a creative, non-judgmental and personable approach, which combines intuition with new management techniques and considerable career experience.

“top athletes have coaches, so do successful businessmen….who is helping you achieve what you want in your life?”

Alan Busby
Now in his third period as a BEW mentor Allen is a Director of Business Health Improvement Ltd. His expertise lies in business improvement and interim management, drawing on his wide experience of managing profitable businesses and fixing unprofitable ones. Having worked in a wide variety of markets from automotive to supermarkets located from the North East to South Wales and Switzerland to the USA, he will however, given the chance, be found up a hill or on a sailing boat! From a strong technical background, he is a M.I.Mech.E, he has acquired an MBA from Warwick University and places great importance on customer focus.

Together with William Barron they wrote the four training modules with an emphasis on what to do rather than what to worry about.

Helen Brewster

I received help from supportive and trusted colleagues, friends and business advisors during my early days of setting up my business, ATL Solutions, - a successful and well established IT Training and business consultancy company, who prides itself in constantly exceeding customer expectations.

As a result of my own own diversification in business, I have now actively sought out opportunities to work with, and support aspiring entrepreneurs by providing a fresh innovative approach to help and guide new and small businesses. The way that I do this is by simply offering years of experience, and a fresh pair of eyes, to offer  encouragement, a sounding board and strong focus to achieve the end goal.

In addition to being a director of ATL Solutions - I am also one of the founders and a director of the UK IT Association; a membership organisations for small to medium sized businesses within the IT industry. Both businesses operate a fair and ethical approach to business, by offering a collaborative working model, understanding and valuing strengths of the team and partners to exceed customer expectations at every level.

Prior to starting my business I had a career in sales, marketing and general management; since starting my business I have lived the challenges, and rewards, of driving forward a successful business whilst bringing up my young son and enjoying a happy family life.

I am heavily involved in regional and local IT, enterprise and training initiatives including the United Kingdom IT Association and Henley College, as Chair of their employer advisory group. 

I have a sizable business network so invariably if I can’t help I’ll invariably ‘know a man who can!’

Most importantly I really enjoy what I do - cheesy but true.