The Buckinghamshire Business First Team

Our team

Philippa Batting

Philippa Batting

Managing Director

Philippa has 20 years experience running a business and is passionate about Buckinghamshire as a place to live and do business.

Heather Dean

Heather Dean

Head of Skills and Business Support

Heather has a wealth of knowledge, having worked at a senior level in a range of businesses and helped countless others to grow.

Adrian Champney

Adrian Champney

Head of Funding Acquisition and Business Development

Whatever the sector or size of business, Adrian has experience of working in it. He has been helping companies start and grow for years.

Sarah Randall

Sarah Randall

Head of Operations and MI Systems

An honorary daughter of Bucks, Sarah has 20 years of experience in data, CRM and Management Information and a degree in Human Biology.

Lynsey Dunn

Lynsey Dunn

Head of Marketing,
Communications and Events

Liverpudlian by birth, Bucks by right, Lynsey has launched projects & brands across the world and still found time to study sword fighting.

Louise Butt

Louise Butt

Senior Marketing Manager

Louise has worked across a range of different industries, including broadcasting, professional services, health, leisure and hospitality.

Jane Dell

Jane Dell

Growth Programme Manager

Having run her own business advice firm & worked across sectors, Jane has proven to be a catalyst for many business’s strategic growth.

Russell Wood

Russell Wood

Business Adviser, Growth Programme

After 35 years in senior management and time spent running a European supply chain consultancy, Russell is keen & able to add value to SMEs.

Ian Murphy

Ian Murphy

Business Adviser, Growth Programme

A former management consultant advising on strategy and innovation, Ian is an experienced SME CEO & founder of a start-up skincare business.

Roger Churchill

Roger Churchill

Business Adviser

With almost four decades in business, across many continents & industry sectors, Roger offers valuable support and is still keen to learn.

Martin Knibbs

Martin Knibbs

Business Adviser

With 40 years in senior IT roles, Martin, a Chartered Engineer, is keen on operational improvements, transformation, and profitable growth.

John Browning

John Browning

Local Skills Improvement Plan Manager

John uses his experience in corporate learning & development, skills and apprenticeships, to advise on business's skills & training needs.

Robert Evans

Robert Evans

Apprenticeship Support and Knowledge Adviser

A member of the Careers Development Inst., previously working as a school careers leader. He once appeared on stage with Sir Ian McKellen.

William Dallimore

William Dallimore

Rural Business Development Manager

Well versed in rural affairs and economic development, Oxford Brookes alumni Will has an affinity with Bucks and a passion for agriculture.

Michelle Graham

Michelle Graham

Project Coordinator

Daniel Cope

Daniel Cope

Climate Change Programme Manager

Dan has over a decade’s experience in the environmental sector and a passion for sustainability. He also finds the time to coach skydiving.

Tom Macdonald

Tom Macdonald

Senior Project Officer

Tom studied for an MSc in Climate Change and Sustainability, has previously worked at Burnham Beeches Nature Reserve, and enjoys running.

Mohammed Abdal

Mohammed Abdal

Administrator

Abdal joined us via the Kickstart Scheme for his first full-time job. His favourite thing about Bucks is the view from Coombe Hill Memorial.

Mike King

Mike King

Project Officer

Mike has helped run several businesses and launched soft drinks in the UK & US. Now, he's helping companies reduce their carbon emissions.

Spenser Foot

Spenser Foot

Grant Coordinator

Spenser has a degree in humanities and experience in the finance sector. He's a boxing enthusiast & enjoys going on long runs with his dog.

Paula Citrone

Paula Citrone

Events Manager

After heading up customer support and telemarketing teams in her early career, Paula has since made event management her forte with us.

Gareth Barlow

Gareth Barlow

Creative Content Executive

Gareth has a degree in Creative Writing and Film. He also spent a few years working for a youth charity in Buckinghamshire.

Leo Thompson

Leo Thompson

Graphic Designer/Marketer

Leo brings to the table a degree in Graphic Communication & Illustration, a love for Buckinghamshire’s countryside, and his archery skills.

Hari Kalay

Hari Kalay

Digital Marketing Executive

Hari previously worked making films and doing photography for a global manufacturer, and is interested in science & technology.

Maxine Todd-Akerman

Maxine Todd-Akerman

Membership Executive

Maxine has run fashion retail outlets in Bucks and Oxon, and was Strategic Account Manager for a CAD distribution company for 11 years.

Marc Ward

Marc Ward

Digital Marketing Manager

Marc joined us having worked across the marketing mix. His hobbies include playing guitar & long walks in the Bucks countryside.

Camilla Du Preez

Camilla Du Preez

Social Media Executive

Sarah Harlow

Sarah Harlow

Marketing & Events Coordinator

Laura Bradbury

Laura Bradbury

Marketing and Events Coordinator

Imran Razaq

Imran Razaq

CRM Manager

A student of accounting and finance, Imran has a history in sales, as well as working with young people to help them overcome depression.

Lucy Frost

Lucy Frost

CRM Executive

Lucy relocated to Bucks to raise a family & has more than a decade of experience in investor relations in a FTSE 100 pharmaceutical company.

Ben Penrose

Ben Penrose

CRM Administrator

Ben is studying economics at university and has lived in Bucks for most of his life, enjoying walks and bike rides in the Chilterns.

Emily Joyce

Emily Joyce

CRM Administrator

Kristy Corse

Kristy Corse

Executive Support

Buckinghamshire’s own, Kristy loves supporting businesses in her home county and brings 10 years of marketing experience to the party.

Donna Bullock (Assoc CIPD)

Donna Bullock (Assoc CIPD)

HR Manager

Born and raised in Wycombe, Donna has 10+ years of HR experience at a variety of organisations.

Magdalena Rail

Magdalena Rail

Operations & IT Coordinator

Magdalena has a Business and Marketing degree and was an Office Manager in the recruitment sector. She speaks English, Polish & Swedish.

Nicola Richardson

Nicola Richardson

Sales & Marketing Executive - Visit Buckinghamshire

Nicky was a BBC drama producer before doing digital marketing & social media management. She loves walking her dog in the Bucks countryside.

Alan Field

Alan Field

Finance Manager

Born and bred in Bucks, Alan has over 15 years of experience within financial departments and gained MAAT status in 2010.

Jacqui Faulkner

Jacqui Faulkner

Accounts Administrator

Hammersmith-born Jacqui has called Bucks home for many years now and has been a long-serving member of our admin and finance teams.

Marina Jackson

Marina Jackson

Under 19 Skills Manager

Marina moved to the education sector, specialising in business & enterprise, after a stint in Latin American investment fund management.

Julia Bond

Julia Bond

Employer Engagement, Enterprise Coordinator

An engineer with 10 years’ teaching experience, Julia's passionate about helping young people choose their best next step on leaving school.

Emma Lister

Emma Lister

Enterprise Coordinator

Emma is MCIPD-qualified with a career in HR management. She has a passion for running marathons and is a qualified personal trainer.

Susannah Edwards

Susannah Edwards

Enterprise Coordinator

An HR professional with 20 years of experience, Susannah has also worked in the education sector and enjoys helping young people to learn.

Marie Djela

Marie Djela

Enterprise Coordinator

A trained engineer and Innovate UK Women in Innovation Award winner with 16 years’ experience advocating for SEND students.

Caroline Cooper

Caroline Cooper

Enterprise Coordinator

After working in communications with household brands, Caroline moved into education, initially coaching students through her own business.