The Team

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.

Human resources specialist and owner of enlightenHR for the past 10 years, advising many SMEs. Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. Big supporter of the Business Forum’s events. Organiser of the TBF Business Festival.

With 3 decades of experience, Martin is a valued problem solver in financial management, managing multi-million pound portfolios for professional clients. A graduate in economics with specialism in regional development, he has successfully built Pilgrims Rest Cottages his own award-winning venture in tourism from scratch at the beginning of the financial recession. Martin was a founder of Torbay ‘Street Pastors’ and is currently Director of a locally based national charity, Torbay Holiday Helpers Network (THHN).

In 1995, following 30+ years of nursing in a variety of locations and roles, Susie formed the award-winning Westcountry Health Care with the aim of providing her clients with bespoke health insurance giving them the protection and peace of mind to know that, should the worst happen, they will be supported and they will cope.

Now in its third decade, the company has expanded to provide cover for travel, homes and businesses for every type of client.

Susie is  Chair of Torquay Chamber of Commerce.

Matt is a Director and Associate Partner at  Thomas Westcott Chartered Accountants where he provides a range of services to a wide variety of clients, ranging from personal tax clients and sole traders to large privately owned companies.

Matt also provides management support in the form of management accounts, budgets, cash flow forecasts and general consultancy to help businesses develop and grow.

Matt is the Chair of Brixham Chamber of Commerce.

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.

Dean is a director at Your Digital Solutions,
a management consultancy that designs and delivers innovative, sustainable and efficient digital processes to save  businesses time, reduce paper use and give increased customer value.

Dean is also Membership Manager for Paignton Chamber of Commerce

Torquay born, Chris is passionate about working in law and became a Wollens partner in October 2015 and is part of the Private Client department.
He was a Finalist in the Trusted Advisor of the Year category at the STEP Private Client Awards 2020 and shortlisted for The Law Society’s Excellence Awards 2020 for Solicitor of the Year – Private Practice
Trustee for the Torbay Medical Research Fund, Vice-chair of governors at Torquay Boys’ Grammar School and of Torquay Boys Grammar School Multi-Academy Trust.

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.

Chair 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.

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.

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.