ESDP MEMBERS

BOB COLLIS

Chair of the ESDP

I have been the chair of the Economic and Skills Development Partnership for around 6 years and chaired the Infrastructure Sub-Group for several years before then. My enthusiasm for Bracknell Forest has grown and grown and I am so delighted to be in a position to be able to help its businesses, local town centres and people to continue to thrive.
The membership of the ESDP has always been so supportive of the work we do, generating brilliant ideas for our work programmes and sharing their resources in order to make things happen. It is an honour to work with so many different people, both from the private and public sectors, all of whom have one thing in mind – Bracknell’s success!
I am also a Director for the Bracknell Business Improvement District (BID) which started its work in April 2020, having been developed with the help of the ESDP and many of Bracknell’s business leaders. It is now delivering a funded programme that will improve the look and feel of the BID area (the Southern and Western Business areas), making them more attractive for businesses and the people that work and live there.
All businesses are welcome to join the ESDP, even if for one meeting or event. There’s no fee involved – all we want is your support.

NANCY LALOR

Operations Director, Learning to Work

Having worked in the industry of "people" for over 30 years my passion remains the same, people! Working with others to make a difference, collaborating, creating opportunities and partnership working creates an amazing buzz and the feel good factor is contagious.

I am the Operations Director for Learning to Work and after 18 years still love the difference we make and supporting young people in their transition from education to employment. I sit on various local employment focused groups and am currently President of the Slough Chamber of Commerce.

I have been a member of the ESDP for a number of years and Chair of the Employment & Skills sub-group for 4 years, I very much enjoy my role and working alongside likeminded people for the benefit of the town.

CHRIS MANSFIELD

Regeneration and Economic Development Manager, Bracknell Forest Council

Chris is the Regeneration and Economic Development Manager for Bracknell Forest Council

ANDREW HUNTER

Executive Director: Place Planning & Regeneration, Bracknell Forest Council

Andrew is the Executive Director: Place Planning & Regeneration for Bracknell Forest Council

STUART JEFFRIES

Transport Strategy Manager, Bracknell Forest Council

Stuart is the Transport Strategy Manager for Bracknell Forest Council

SIMON CRIDLAND

Infrastructure & Implementation Team Manager, Bracknell Forest Council

Simon is the Infrastructure & Implementation Team Manager for Bracknell Forest Council

STEPHEN CHOWN

Head of Natural Estates, Bracknell Forest Council

Stephen is the Head of Natural Estates at Bracknell Forest Council, with responsibility for managing 420 hectares of open spaces, for the benefit of people and wildlife.

With a Masters Degree in Urban Forestry he has a passion to see trees and natural habitats thriving alongside modern infrastructure, delivering appealing and healthy environments for business and residential communities.

Bracknell Forest has almost 40% of its land area already covered by trees and vegetation, making it the perfect location for ambitious place making objectives to be delivered.

PETER SMITH

Chairman of Thames Valley Business Advisors

As Chairman of Thames Valley Business Advisors, Peter specialises in Business Strategy, Business Advice and High Growth Coaching. He has travelled widely providing consultancy services to large international companies and has held several positions at Director Level and led Project Management teams at a senior level.

He is a Director and Chair of the Admin & Finance Sub-committee of the Bracknell Business Improvement District charged with uplifting the business areas in Bracknell and serves on the ESDP main committee and the infrastructure sub-group. He is also an Enterprise adviser helping Ranelagh School with careers strategy and employability skills for students.

NICK THRING

Director, Duncan Yeardley

ALEX WRIGHT

Chief Technologist, Transport Research Laboratory

Alex is Chief Technologist at TRL, an independent body undertaking research and consultancy to create clean and efficient transport that is safe, reliable and accessible for everyone.

Alex has over 25 years’ experience in highways infrastructure. A particular area of his work is the development of technologies and tools to improve highways asset management, and providing advice on the development of strategy and policy in this field.

PETER REYNOLDS

Director of Career Pathways, Activate Learning

NIKKI BURNS

Chair, Federation of Small Business Thames Valley

RACHEL REID

Locality Manager (London and South East), Skills for Care

My name is Rachel Reid and I am the Skills for Care Locality Manager for the Thames Valley. I support Adult Social Care employers with aspects relating to workforce and workforce development which includes recruitment, induction, training, skills development, CPD, retention, leadership and CQC regulatory requirements. Visit our website for more details: https://www.skillsforcare.org.uk/Home.aspx contact me on: rachel.reid@skillsforcare.org.uk

TIM GRIFFITH

Headteacher, Ranelagh School

TONY BELLIS

Government Markets & Public Affairs Manager, 3M

NATASHA SEDGWICK

Berkshire Growth Hub Marketing & Partnerships Manager

ADRIAN DAVIES

Executive Officer, DWP

KAREN HAMPTON

ICS Programme Lead, Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust

SEAN GRIFFIN

BID Manager, Bracknell BID

Sean is the Bracknell Business Improvement District (BID) Manager, which covers the Western and Southern Business Areas in Bracknell. The BID was set up in April 2020 following a successful ballot by local businesses to improve the business areas’ trading environment. Sean’s responsibility is to project manage the delivery and implementation of the BID Business Plan’s objectives; Infrastructure and Growth and Investment. Sean has experience in the architecture and construction sector, having worked in Ireland, the US and UK. Sean took his post as Bracknell BID Manager in November 2020 and works on behalf of Partnerships For Better Business Ltd (pfbb UK), who are BID Consultants contracted to the delivery of Bracknell BID.

MARIA SABEY

Head of UK&I & EMEIA Property, Fujitsu

TERESA MORTEN

Berkshire District Employer Adviser, DWP

Teresa has worked for the DWP for just over 4 years, firstly as a Work Coach, covering new claims, self -employment and working on the old Legacy system before Universal Credit came along. For the last three years Teresa has been an Employer Adviser. During the first lockdown she was seconded back to the work coach team to help with the huge number of new claims. As an Employer Adviser, she works with the local employers helping to fill their vacancies with our customers who are looking for that type of work.

NICOLA WEBB

Associate Director, Development, Segro Thames Valley

LUCY BOWMAN

Partnership Manager, DWP

DAWN THOMPSON

Senior Account Manager, Engineering Construction Industry Training Board

Dawn Thompson is a senior account manager for the South region of the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB). The ECITB is the statutory training board and awarding body with responsibility for the training and development of the UK’s engineering construction workforce. Dawn’s background spans many industry sectors and multi-disciplinary experience. She is passionate in encouraging young people to join the industry and help encourage the young people to understand how they can contribute to the drive towards Net Zero.

SHELLEY FUREY

Assistant Manager

Shelley is the Centre Director for Oxford Innovation, managing Bracknell Enterprise & Innovation Hub. She is passionate about innovation, customer service and helping people, with over 20 years’ experience in this field

JACQUI SELF

HR Director, Wellington College

A HR professional with over 20 years’ senior level experience operating within both public and private sector organisations including IT, Manufacturing, Financial Services and Education and covering a range of HR disciplines. Currently HR Director for Wellington College, one of the world’s leading day and boarding schools.

SIMON FRYER

Director, Fryer Commercial

Simon Fryer qualified as a chartered surveyor in the 1970's. Previously a partner at Reading's Campbell Gordon, he co-founded Fryer Gilbert & Jepps in Reading in 1994, and established Fryer Commercial in Arlington Square, Bracknell, in 2008. He specialises on behalf of clients, in acquiring, letting and selling office buildings, mainly in Bracknell and Wokingham.