Karen originally trained as a nurse and health visitor and worked in the NHS for 13 years. She moved into Further Education as a Lecturer in Health and Social Care and, after various promotions, made the move to Newcastle-under-Lyme College in 2002 where she was appointed as Director of Curriculum & Strategic Planning, a post she held until June 2004 when she became Principal. Karen holds a Health Sciences degree from Coventry University and an MBA from Keele. Karen currently sits on the National AOC 16-18 Policy group, is Vice Chair of the AOC Sport Board and is a Fellow of the College of Fellows at Keele University. Karen was awarded an OBE for her services to further education in the Queen’s 2019 New Year’s Honours list and was shortlisted for the TES FE Leader of the Year 2019.

Rob is responsible for the International Trade Department at Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce which comprises ten members of staff. The team delivers the full range of DIT Services/ programmes, is an issuing body for export documentation and a customs broker. The team will process export documentation for companies with a combined invoice value in excess of £250m per annum. Previously Rob was a Civil Servant where he began his career in 1995 working for the Employment Service and later the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. In 2012 he was promoted to Head of the International Trade Team where he has led many Trade Missions all over the world and still deals with companies helping them to realise their export goals. Prior to joining the Civil Service Rob qualified as a Ceramicist and worked in the Ceramics Industry for companies including Wedgwood, Churchill and H&R Johnsons.

Growing up in Staffordshire, just a few miles from the family business, Martin Smith spent much of his childhood watching his parents build Bri-Stor Systems Limited. Graduating from Bath University and gaining experience in the world of manufacturing and engineering after spending his third year working for Peugeot in Paris, Martin felt he was set for a career in Bri-Stor Systems. For several years Martin worked night shifts, day shifts and a combination of the two, working in all departments learning the shopfloor skills required to run the business and eventually became Production Manager in Alpha Manufacturing. Today, as CEO of the Bri-Stor Group, which incorporates; Bri-Stor Systems, Alpha Manufacturing, Atlas Coating and Hex Signs and Graphics, Martin works closely with the senior leadership team, delivering year-on-year growth, which in 2021 includes the construction of a new 35,000 sq. ft production facility called Alpha Manufacturing Chemical Technologies.

Educated at Stockport School, University of Liverpool and attended Sandhurst Royal Military Academy. Has a degree in Genetics and a Masters in Business and Administration. He has been involved in local politics since 2003 when he was elected onto Lichfield District Council. He has held two Cabinet appointments within this District role. Alan joined Staffordshire County Council in 2009 as Chairman of the Corporate Review Committee and in 2013 became Cabinet Member for Health Care and Wellbeing. Alan became Deputy Leader in August 2017 and Leader in July 2020. Alan White runs two businesses; Technology Consultant and CEO of Malvern Hills Science Park. He is married to Jenny and has at least four children.

Emily has lived in Staffordshire for most of her life and has spent the last 20 years building and facilitating networks of businesses and supporting their owners to create better business for people, places and planet. Working as a business coach, mentor & trainer, as well as a current Entrepreneur in Residence at Staffordshire University, Emily works across the UK, both privately and through funded programmes, enabling SMEs to harness digital marketing, tell better stories and create brands with purpose. Emily was the founder of #Staffordshirehour on Twitter, played a small role in the City of Culture bid and has worked with Destination Staffordshire for a number of years, as well as Cumbria Tourism, to support visitor economy businesses to thrive. Emily was a founding award holder and now assessor for the Environmental Quality Mark both in Staffordshire & the Peak District. More widely, Emily is also one of the founders of the brand new Micro Business Awards UK.