National Councillors

I have been running my own business for the past 22 years and joined FSB very soon after taking over the business. Ten years ago I decided to widen my horizons and become active within FSB by volunteering in Conwy branch.  I have served as branch secretary and on the regional committee. Through this I have gained experience in attending and organising meetings,  the ability to quickly understand issues raised, and consider them from a wider general business point of view rather than just my own immediate sector. 

During the past year as your South East Regional Chairman I have built on my contacts with Councils and MP's to lobby for changes to the outdated and "broken" business rates system and helped a number of businesses to reduce their current business rates bill to zero as the current system requires "claims" to be made .

I have worked with FSB staff to deliver events that members want to see including the unraveling of the GDPR mystic!  I have found this member volunteer post to be time consuming but I continue to enjoy the role and would like to continue to serve members moving forward.

I have my concerns with regard to BREXIT and the challenges that small companies will have on recruiting staff from EU countries whether they are skilled or unskilled.  If you vote for me then I will continue act in the best interests of members.

I am a Managing Director of a small Company employing 14 people including an Apprentice and know only too well of the challenges that face FSB members. I am a good listener as well as being able to put forward views in an articulate manner. I am at ease when meeting politicians all of whom can be helpful to achieving the aims of the FSB. I have many contacts to further such aims. With regard to knowledge I have a self taught understanding of business rates whilst as a Chartered Town Planner I have a wealth of knowledge to draw upon and help members and to influence politicians.

I don’t just have an interest in small businesses; I am passionate about them and am driven to see them succeed. I have been fortunate to have had a good career in business and want to play my part in improving the environment for other businesses to flourish. I believe FSB is the best organisation to support and represent SMEs and the self-employed, these elections present an opportunity to speak up for Northern Ireland.

Outside my own businesses, I’ve served in volunteer roles as an FSB Branch Chair, on the NI Regional Committee, organising numerous events, and more recently as National Councillor for Northern Ireland, working with the 11 other Regions and the FSB Board. 

I am seeking your support to continue as National Councillor; the key link between members in Northern Ireland and FSB’s National Council – to be the voice of our local members at national level.

I have been a small business owner/director for most of my working life, in manufacturing - Print & Publishing - and in IT and Services, employing over 30 people; giving me extensive, relevant experience and skills. These include Leadership and Training skills, garnered from in-role experience as well as formal courses; Comprehensive IT skills; and as a qualified instructor in two different sporting disciplines.

My skill-set also includes Networking, from over 15 years of active business networking; Organisation, both from business and from major sporting events; People Management; and Communication, from all levels within a business.

My current role as National Councillor has given me insight into FSB’s extensive work at every level -from supporting local business, to campaigning, and providing 24/7 advice and support for our members.  I am keen to continue to be a part of this – helping and promoting small business nationally and, as importantly, locally.

I want to support you, our small business members, here in the North West and at your organisation’s National Council.  

As your National Councillor my role is to focus on:

• Listening to your business needs and finding answers to them or taking these to our Regional Group to turn them into special interest groups (SIGs) focused on finding effective solutions.
• Ensuring your best interests are clearly represented to the Board
• Taking small business needs to regional decision makers.

We are an important region of the UK.  Let’s make the North West stand out as an area where people want to do business. 

I’ve been a member for over 17 years, having served on many FSB committees including Area and National Policy.  My day job sees me working on business issues around change (structure, governance and skills) and I use all this background to support the FSB.

The National Council is an amazing tool for feeding member's opinions directly into the heart of the FSB - meeting with the Board regularly through the year. It acts as a conduit between board and members, whilst keeping a watchful eye on the "health" of the FSB.

I have enjoyed representing our Region as National Councillor, seeing it's transition from the former unwieldy room of 33 National Councillors to it's "Refreshed" group of 12. 
It now feels fit for purpose and I am keen to continue serving you in this role. 

It is not appropriate to make promises as a National Councillor, except to assure members that I do carry the Region's views into Council, participating fully in the discussions. I have seen the "Refresh" program develop, so am excited for the future of the FSB! 

I enjoy participating in local FSB activity and love the grass roots connections with members.

I joined my local FSB branch in 2009, soon becoming Branch Chairman (through to this year!), subsequently joining the Regional Committee as Branch Rep, then Chairing the Region from 2013 to 2016 and becoming National Councillor in 2014. 

I was invited to join the Procedures Committee in 2016 and am a member of the Policy Transport Unit. 
My own company is Coach Logistics Ltd, supplying and managing passenger transport for major events such as the BAFTA Awards, Farnborough Air Show, and Goodwood, to name(drop!) a few! 

My  participation in National Council and the Procedures Committee have afforded me an in-depth working knowledge of the FSB , coupled with my enthusiasm for the organisation. I believe passionately in what is being achieved through lobbying at a National Level and am keen to see the ongoing roll-out of Project Refresh.