Ray Hickinbottom, your Membership Advisor in T & W

Ray is the FSB's Membership Advisor for Telford & Wrekin. Having worked in sales for over 35 years, both in an employed and self employed capacity, there is not much that he hasn't seen or heard of. Ray's work in engineering, utilities and financial services means he has huge experience in dealing directly with both the public and senior personnel in some of the biggest multi-national companies.

Ray knows full well how lonely life can be when starting up a new business and feels that his background and experience in self employment helps him to demonstrate to business owners just how beneficial FSB membership is and to get the best out of their membership to help their business.

When Ray gets chance he enjoys a round of golf, always looking to improve his handicap. He tells Regional Voice he also enjoys watching most sports especially rugby union, having played for a number of years when he was younger and fitter! Nowadays exercise is limited to golf and gardening, enjoying time in the garden growing herbs, vegetables and fruits.

FSB members, Ray says, are the best ambassadors for the organisation, if you know anyone in the Telford & Wrekin area who you think would benefit from FSB membership call Ray on 07733 603052 or email Ray.hickinbottom@fsb.org.uk

Liam Lynch, FSB Membership Advisor for Worcestershire and South Birmingham

Liam has been an FSB Membership Advisor for two years, prior to which his career includes a wide variety of work within the sales sector of organisations both large and small heading sales teams for: machinery, tooling, hydraulics, pneumatics and electronics.

Liam has lived in the Worcestershire for 20 years; his wife is a Bromsgrove girl and a teacher in the county, all of which means that he is very well know in the county and he knows the county well!

He is well aware of the tough times business owners face in growing their companies and how hard all business people have to work to survive. Reliable and cost effective support services are vital to all businesses and he is pleased to offer the FSB membership as a solution to some business nightmares.

Relatively new to self employment himself, he has firsthand experience of the benefits of joining the FSB. Speaking to members daily he hears many stories that support the benefits of belonging to the FSB community and says:

"Regardless of the business sector, the product or supplier, there is always a way to improve and ensure a healthy business future. The challenge for me is to marry the FSB offer and its support structures to the needs of differing environments. I've been able to show to businesses in South Birmingham and Worcestershire real financial benefits in becoming a member and extended our massive legal support to them as part of the right to membership."

Liam likes to relax at the weekend with a friendly game of golf, once a 4 handicap golfer but unfortunately no longer! When the mood takes him and if time allows he finds carving wood or stone and drawing very therapeutic.

Liam can be reached on 0795 633 1544 or email liam.lynch@fsb.org.uk

David Bethell, Membership Advisor for: Shropshire, Herefordshire, Malvern Hills and Wyre Forest.

David Bethell, is definitely no stranger to life in a small business as, when he was a boy, his parents ran one from their home, near Ledbury.

David's career spans 32 years within the food industry, leading him to set up his own business 15 years ago; more recently he has covered Herefordshire and Shropshire as a Membership Advisor for the FSB.

Although David is the first to admit he is easily one of life's ‘grumpy old men'; a term his wife, Sharon, might agree with from time to time, he is passionate about helping FSB members and very pleased to receive feedback as he firmly believes that good service usually leads to recommendations and repeat business, all of which play a key role in a successful business,.

David and Sharon have lived in Herefordshire all their lives, well, apart from two years across the border in Malvern! So there's not much in Herefordshire that David doesn't know about and this, he says, is very useful when meeting business owners for the first time!

Outside FSB loves rural life in this beautiful region and enjoys Country pursuits of almost every type.

David can be reached on 07821 411288, however, he attends most of the FSB's local events and hopes members will take these great business opportunities to also give him feedback on how things are in the two counties.