The Team
We are a voluntary team of local people who work together in the best interests of Torbay’s business community. We organise networking events, prepare briefings, facilitate visits by dignitaries, input into Policy development, represent business interests at meetings, as well as support and promote important projects for Torbay.
Sarah Barrett
Management & Leadership professional and owner of S Barrett Consulting, supporting individuals and organisations with their strategic, leadership or team-related challenges. Over 25 years’ experience in the global chemical and pharmaceutical sector, blended with active roles in the local voluntary arena. Chartered Manager, Member of the Chartered Management Institute and Affiliate of the Exeter Leadership Network, Centre for Leadership Studies (University of Exeter). Actively involved in smooth running of TBF Events.
Alison Benney
Peter Blackler
eBusiness director of long established Torquay based IT & marketing agency, Insignia Creative. Director of local property company with residential and commercial interests in the Torbay area. Keen enthusiasm for outdoor sports and is an RYA Dinghy Instructor.
Martin Brook
Alan Denby
Director of Economic Strategy & Performance for the Torbay Development Agency, responsible for TDA’s business support, inward investment and workspace activities. Also a member of the Heart of the SW’s management group and the Growth Acceleration & Investment Network (GAIN) steering group. Governor at a local primary school.
Angela George
Vice-Chairman of Torbay Business Forum from 2015-2018.
Director of IMS Marketing and Senior Consultant in career management and executive coaching.
Previously Chair of Torbay FSB, Executive member of Brixham Chamber, one of the founder members of the Brixham Means Business and Creative Thinking Torbay.
Awarded Woman of the Year in the first ever South Devon Women of Achievement Awards.
Tim Godfrey
Chairman of TBF from 2015-2018 and former Vice-Chairman since March 2013. Partner of Bishop Fleming, Chartered Accountants in Torquay, heading up the Business Services Team looking after local family owned businesses across many sectors. Passionate about the regeneration of Torbay both physically and in the business sense. Trustee of Torbay Advice Network, a charity providing training to frontline advisors to those trying to access the benefits system.Torbay ‘Street Pastors’ and is currently Director of a locally based national charity, Torbay Holiday Helpers Network (THHN).
Roger Lissenden
Business Consultant for UK and France to Markslojd AB Sweden. Committee member Torbay FSB, Member of LEP transport special interest advisory group. Associate of Leisure and Outdoor Furniture Association. Working closely on the TBF Business Festival in Sept.
Rosey Oakes
As a new TBF Executive member, Rosey will represent all local charities who contribute so much to the local economy and community.
Jim Parker
Jim has been a journalist for 45 years, the majority at Herald Express in South Devon, including 6 years as Editor, until leaving in 2019. Now Jim is Editor of Torbay Weekly as well as Business Development Manager for the law firm, Wollens.
He has a passion for Torbay and has supported the change and regeneration needed to make it fit for the future.
Jim is also Trustee of Torbay Community Development Trust, Chair of the Torbay Together Partnership and a member of Torbay’s Destination Management Group.
As a former Trustee of the South Devon Youth Games, Jim is passionate about developing sport and is Chair of Sport Torbay, Director of the Devon Cricket Board, Chair of the County Age Groups overseeing county cricket for ages 10-17, Manager/coach of the under 14/15s County Cricket Squad, Barton Cricket Club Chairman and cricket manager.
Steve Reynolds
Current Chairman of TBF from July 2018.
Relationship Director for Barclays Bank, responsible for hospitality, leisure, manufacturing and professional services sectors in South Devon.
Past President of the Chartered Institute of Bankers for Torbay and Exeter.
Trustee of Newton Abbot & District Recreational Trust Ltd, Chairman of Havencare (South West) Ltd, supporting people who have a learning disability and behavioural challenges.
Director, Morden Solutions (UK) Ltd, business consultants dealing in people and culture change management.
Treasurer of TBF.
Keith Richardson
Chartered Accountant, member of the TBF Executive since 2005 and owner of Richardson Hotels, with two hotels in Torquay.
For 10 days in 2007, he was Chairman of Torquay United Football Club.
Trustee of Torquay Boys Grammar School since 2004.
Emily Tucker
After 14 years with South Devon College, Emily has gained a wealth of experience working in roles covering learner information, training and latterly Head of Apprenticeships and Employer Engagement. Emily is passionate about Apprenticeships and believes they offer an amazing opportunity for businesses and individuals – allowing both to develop new skills and grow.
As well as being responsible for the funding, compliance and quality of Apprenticeships, Emily is also a passionate networker – always looking for chances to support and work collaboratively with key stakeholders and local businesses.
James Twigger
Lead accountant at accounting4everything, James won the British Accountancy Awards ‘Practioner of the Year’ in 2015.
An avid network organiser within the Bay, he is the co-founder and director of @TorbayHour on Twitter reaching 100,000’s each week promoting business in Torbay.
Actively involved with TBF events for past year and also helped set up @torbaybusiness, the official Twitter account of the Torbay Business Forum.
Donna Wynne
Owner of Donna Wynne Virtual Assistance, helping you to manage your business better by providing professional administrative services. Over 15 years experience providing senior administrative support working for Astra Zeneca in Brixham. Has enjoyed giving secretarial assistance to the Torbay Business Forum and its Executive since March 2013.