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William Chase is a British entrepreneur and founder of Willy’s ACV.
After creating iconic brands like Tyrrells Crisps and Chase Distillery, he turned his focus to natural wellness, producing live apple cider vinegar from his organic regenerative farm in Herefordshire. William now champions the power of gut‑healthy, living foods and inspires others to support their wellbeing naturally, from the inside out.
After creating iconic brands like Tyrrells Crisps and Chase Distillery, he turned his focus to natural wellness, producing live apple cider vinegar from his organic regenerative farm in Herefordshire. William now champions the power of gut‑healthy, living foods and inspires others to support their wellbeing naturally, from the inside out.
Ex MD Liquid Death, ex CEO Karma Drinks, Founder Unchartered Territory, Co-Founder Unify Brands, Co-Founder Brosé, MD Goodrays, 3x Nominated for CEO of the year, inducted into Marketing weeks top 100 marketeers, inducted into Campaign’s Power 100, Advisor, Investor, Entrepreneur. Founding member of Hope Zones charity in Nazaré. Ex international athlete. 2 x Exits.
Brands include: Liquid Death, Red Bull, Coca Cola, Danone, Perfomr AI, Disco Biscuit, Mayah, Goodrays, Decent Packaging, GoodFor, Natural Paint Co, Drip, Love Mushrooms, Brosé, No Ugly, Califia Farms, Ella’s Kitchen and many more across F&B, Tech, Retail, Paint, Baby, Supplements, Health & Beauty and many others.
Brands include: Liquid Death, Red Bull, Coca Cola, Danone, Perfomr AI, Disco Biscuit, Mayah, Goodrays, Decent Packaging, GoodFor, Natural Paint Co, Drip, Love Mushrooms, Brosé, No Ugly, Califia Farms, Ella’s Kitchen and many more across F&B, Tech, Retail, Paint, Baby, Supplements, Health & Beauty and many others.
Roger Saul is a visionary British entrepreneur best known as the founder of Mulberry, established in 1971.
His innovative approach to design, including the iconic Hunting, Shooting, Fishing collection, propelled the brand to international recognition and earned three Queen’s Awards for Export.
Beyond fashion, Roger pioneered the Mulberry at Home lifestyle concept and developed the Michelin-starred Charlton House Hotel, blending heritage, hospitality and design. In 2008, he transformed Kilver Court into a renowned designer shopping destination.
In recent years, Roger founded Sharpham Park, where he champions organic farming, specialising in spelt and walnuts. A passionate advocate for regenerative agriculture and UK food security, he continues to shape industries across fashion, hospitality and sustainable food.
His innovative approach to design, including the iconic Hunting, Shooting, Fishing collection, propelled the brand to international recognition and earned three Queen’s Awards for Export.
Beyond fashion, Roger pioneered the Mulberry at Home lifestyle concept and developed the Michelin-starred Charlton House Hotel, blending heritage, hospitality and design. In 2008, he transformed Kilver Court into a renowned designer shopping destination.
In recent years, Roger founded Sharpham Park, where he champions organic farming, specialising in spelt and walnuts. A passionate advocate for regenerative agriculture and UK food security, he continues to shape industries across fashion, hospitality and sustainable food.
Dr Becky Sage has spent twenty years living at the sharpest edge of innovation, entrepreneurship, and education, not as an observer, but as a founder, CEO, coach, and builder.
As CEO of award-winning deeptech startup Interactive Scientific, she led the company for seven years before successfully negotiating its acquisition. She has since coached hundreds of founders through accelerators and incubators including SETsquared, xEdu, and the Royal Academy of Engineering LIF Global Accelerator, and a newly appointed Royal Society Entrepreneur in Residence. With companies she’s worked with collectively raising over £150 million in investment.
Becky is passionate about ethical and responsible entrepreneurship, and building a startup ecosystem that is genuinely inclusive. A trained actor and science communicator, she knows how to make complexity compelling as proven by her role as co-host on the Founded & Grounded Podcast, the #2 Startup Podcast in the UK with over 2 million downloads. Named a Maserati 100 Innovator by the Sunday Times and winner of InnovateUK’s Women in Innovation award, with press appearances spanning Forbes, the New York Times, Sky News and Channel 4, she holds a PhD in Chemical Physics from the University of Bristol and is, for good measure, a four-time British Adult Gymnastics Champion.
As CEO of award-winning deeptech startup Interactive Scientific, she led the company for seven years before successfully negotiating its acquisition. She has since coached hundreds of founders through accelerators and incubators including SETsquared, xEdu, and the Royal Academy of Engineering LIF Global Accelerator, and a newly appointed Royal Society Entrepreneur in Residence. With companies she’s worked with collectively raising over £150 million in investment.
Becky is passionate about ethical and responsible entrepreneurship, and building a startup ecosystem that is genuinely inclusive. A trained actor and science communicator, she knows how to make complexity compelling as proven by her role as co-host on the Founded & Grounded Podcast, the #2 Startup Podcast in the UK with over 2 million downloads. Named a Maserati 100 Innovator by the Sunday Times and winner of InnovateUK’s Women in Innovation award, with press appearances spanning Forbes, the New York Times, Sky News and Channel 4, she holds a PhD in Chemical Physics from the University of Bristol and is, for good measure, a four-time British Adult Gymnastics Champion.
Ben is passionate about driving innovation, investment, and growth across the South West’s thriving tech ecosystem.
As a key figure with Tech South West, he helps connect startups, scaleups, and established businesses with the resources, networks, and support they need to succeed. Ben works closely with founders and investors to champion the region’s talent and showcase the South West as a hub for technology, creativity, and collaboration.
Alongside this, Ben is co-founder of Angel Investors Bristol, supporting efforts to bring more people into the world of angel investing and to fuel the next generation of high-potential companies. Through events, podcasts, and community building, he works to demystify angel investing and highlight the opportunities it presents for both investors and entrepreneurs.
As a key figure with Tech South West, he helps connect startups, scaleups, and established businesses with the resources, networks, and support they need to succeed. Ben works closely with founders and investors to champion the region’s talent and showcase the South West as a hub for technology, creativity, and collaboration.
Alongside this, Ben is co-founder of Angel Investors Bristol, supporting efforts to bring more people into the world of angel investing and to fuel the next generation of high-potential companies. Through events, podcasts, and community building, he works to demystify angel investing and highlight the opportunities it presents for both investors and entrepreneurs.
Briony Phillips is a connector, facilitator, and ecosystem builder on a mission to increase the transparency, connectedness, and success of the fast-growth business community in Greater Bristol - because she believes a rising tide truly lifts all boats.
After nine years supporting Bristol and Bath's startup and scaleup scene, she now runs The Ecosystem Studio. Her work spans supporting Engine Shed's transition to the Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus, hosting Electra (a community where awesome women unite), writing The Bristol Business Bugle, supporting Create Growth Alumni, facilitating TechSPARK's Quarterly Investment Briefings, and hosting the Bristol Walkabout. She is also a qualified nutritional therapist, bringing a whole-person lens to the way she supports founders, because sustainable growth and personal wellbeing aren't separate pursuits.
After nine years supporting Bristol and Bath's startup and scaleup scene, she now runs The Ecosystem Studio. Her work spans supporting Engine Shed's transition to the Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus, hosting Electra (a community where awesome women unite), writing The Bristol Business Bugle, supporting Create Growth Alumni, facilitating TechSPARK's Quarterly Investment Briefings, and hosting the Bristol Walkabout. She is also a qualified nutritional therapist, bringing a whole-person lens to the way she supports founders, because sustainable growth and personal wellbeing aren't separate pursuits.
Helena Hills is the co-founder of TrueStart Coffee, the UK’s fastest-growing coffee brand, on a mission to make people feel amazing through better coffee.
Alongside her husband and co-founder Simon, Helena has spent the past decade disrupting the traditional coffee category - championing high-quality, feel-good coffee that delivers on taste, health and energy. TrueStart has grown from a grassroots challenger into a high-growth, national brand stocked in major retailers including Asda, Co-op, Ocado, Morrisons and Costco, while becoming a certified B Corp and embedding ethics, sustainability and social impact into the core of the business.
Helena is passionate about building brands that don’t just participate in the current system, but actively challenge and improve it - proving that better living can be both commercially viable and widely accessible.
She brings a straight-talking, founder-led perspective on scaling impact, disrupting entrenched categories, staying resilient as a founder and using business as a live experiment for a better way of doing things.
Alongside her husband and co-founder Simon, Helena has spent the past decade disrupting the traditional coffee category - championing high-quality, feel-good coffee that delivers on taste, health and energy. TrueStart has grown from a grassroots challenger into a high-growth, national brand stocked in major retailers including Asda, Co-op, Ocado, Morrisons and Costco, while becoming a certified B Corp and embedding ethics, sustainability and social impact into the core of the business.
Helena is passionate about building brands that don’t just participate in the current system, but actively challenge and improve it - proving that better living can be both commercially viable and widely accessible.
She brings a straight-talking, founder-led perspective on scaling impact, disrupting entrenched categories, staying resilient as a founder and using business as a live experiment for a better way of doing things.
Johnny Palmer is one of Bristol's highest profile entrepreneurs with a focus on using business to create a better world and have a lot of fun.
He is best known for his airliner projects, which famously blocked the M5, buying a river island, bringing aufgus to the UK, creating his own street and getting swimming in Bristol harbour. Recent media coverage has been around his controversial plans to turn a country estate into Bristol's largest member's club.
He loves to share stories that inspire and enable others to do things that make the world a better place.
He is best known for his airliner projects, which famously blocked the M5, buying a river island, bringing aufgus to the UK, creating his own street and getting swimming in Bristol harbour. Recent media coverage has been around his controversial plans to turn a country estate into Bristol's largest member's club.
He loves to share stories that inspire and enable others to do things that make the world a better place.
Perez is the Founder of Altrin Systems, a technology consultancy supporting growing organisations.
With a background in embedded systems and over eight years of experience in technology and safety-critical engineering, including work with Rolls-Royce and Siemens, he has developed and maintained software and systems in environments where reliability is essential.
His work has ranged from control systems to business tools and data platforms, guided by a consistent principle: technology should reduce friction, not add it.
As a previous founder, Perez experienced first-hand how smaller organisations are often excluded from the digital capability larger corporations take for granted.
He founded Altrin Systems to address that gap, helping SMEs diagnose their technology, build the right systems, and adopt them with confidence.
Through Altrin Systems, his work helps organisations remove technology friction,reduce operational and cyber risk, and build the systems and capabilities needed to scale with confidence.
He is a strong advocate for practical, outcome-focused technology and open-source solutions.
With a background in embedded systems and over eight years of experience in technology and safety-critical engineering, including work with Rolls-Royce and Siemens, he has developed and maintained software and systems in environments where reliability is essential.
His work has ranged from control systems to business tools and data platforms, guided by a consistent principle: technology should reduce friction, not add it.
As a previous founder, Perez experienced first-hand how smaller organisations are often excluded from the digital capability larger corporations take for granted.
He founded Altrin Systems to address that gap, helping SMEs diagnose their technology, build the right systems, and adopt them with confidence.
Through Altrin Systems, his work helps organisations remove technology friction,reduce operational and cyber risk, and build the systems and capabilities needed to scale with confidence.
He is a strong advocate for practical, outcome-focused technology and open-source solutions.
Natalie Brereton is a social media strategist and creator with over a decade of experience helping brands turn attention into measurable business impact.
Working across both agency and creator worlds, she brings a dual perspective on how content performs, not just in feeds, but in the real world. Natalie has partnered with global brands including Marks & Spencer, Specsavers and Disney+, developing TikTok-first strategies that move beyond short-term virality to build long term relevance, familiarity and trust. She also runs the Urban Tandoor TikTok account, working on it since its inception.
Alongside her strategic work, Natalie runs her own platform, News with Nat, where she analyses culture and internet behaviour to an audience of over 150,000. This real time understanding of how people consume, engage and act online informs her approach to building content that doesn’t just get seen, but drives action.
Working across both agency and creator worlds, she brings a dual perspective on how content performs, not just in feeds, but in the real world. Natalie has partnered with global brands including Marks & Spencer, Specsavers and Disney+, developing TikTok-first strategies that move beyond short-term virality to build long term relevance, familiarity and trust. She also runs the Urban Tandoor TikTok account, working on it since its inception.
Alongside her strategic work, Natalie runs her own platform, News with Nat, where she analyses culture and internet behaviour to an audience of over 150,000. This real time understanding of how people consume, engage and act online informs her approach to building content that doesn’t just get seen, but drives action.
As Director of the rapidly expanding video content agency Life Media UK and marketing agency Lambardar Marketing, Sunjay has spent over a decade building businesses and winning clients. He has extensive experience in creating valuable relationships and delivering real results for brands across the UK and internationally.
Dominic Mills is the Founder & CEO of Yuup, the platform helping people discover great things to do where they live.
Since launching in Bristol in 2021, he has grown Yuup into a multi-city marketplace and pioneered the UK’s first touring drone light shows.
A serial entrepreneur with two previous exits, Dominic specialises in turning bold ideas into experiences that bring thousands of people together.
Since launching in Bristol in 2021, he has grown Yuup into a multi-city marketplace and pioneered the UK’s first touring drone light shows.
A serial entrepreneur with two previous exits, Dominic specialises in turning bold ideas into experiences that bring thousands of people together.
Olly Reid is an award-winning business coach, facilitator and co-founder of HUM4NS, working with founders, executives, senior leaders and teams navigating the pressures of growth, life and leadership.
Recognised as one of the Top 50 Business Advisers in the UK for four consecutive years, the UK’s Most Inspirational Mentor, and winner of Top People Adviser of the Year 2023, Olly brings nearly two decades of leadership experience across start-up and scale-up environments. His work is shaped by lived experience as much as professional practice.
Coaching across academic, industry and entrepreneurial settings, Olly is known for creating calm, honest spaces where leaders can slow down, think clearly and challenge unhelpful mindsets and inner narratives. His focus is not just on helping people become financially successful, but on supporting them to become happier, healthier, smarter and kinder — leading with intention rather than operating permanently in survival mode.
Recognised as one of the Top 50 Business Advisers in the UK for four consecutive years, the UK’s Most Inspirational Mentor, and winner of Top People Adviser of the Year 2023, Olly brings nearly two decades of leadership experience across start-up and scale-up environments. His work is shaped by lived experience as much as professional practice.
Coaching across academic, industry and entrepreneurial settings, Olly is known for creating calm, honest spaces where leaders can slow down, think clearly and challenge unhelpful mindsets and inner narratives. His focus is not just on helping people become financially successful, but on supporting them to become happier, healthier, smarter and kinder — leading with intention rather than operating permanently in survival mode.
Bobbi-Jo O’Gilvie is a serial entrepreneur, coach, facilitator, and changemaker focused on elevating projects and people from underestimated backgrounds.
She is the founder of Ready to Blog Designs - a studio that focuses on branding, web design, and strategy for the passionate entrepreneur - and Circe - a micro-coaching app aimed at revolutionising support for women in business.
When she's not running the businesses or leading an incubator for founders, she's running, reading, crocheting, or coordinating matching outfits for her and her dog, Wookie.
She is the founder of Ready to Blog Designs - a studio that focuses on branding, web design, and strategy for the passionate entrepreneur - and Circe - a micro-coaching app aimed at revolutionising support for women in business.
When she's not running the businesses or leading an incubator for founders, she's running, reading, crocheting, or coordinating matching outfits for her and her dog, Wookie.
A regulatory and commercial lawyer at Carbon Law, advising businesses operating in highly regulated and consumer-facing sectors.
Her work spans food and drink, hospitality, entertainment and leisure, health and social care and digital and online platforms, with a particular focus on Licensing, Regulatory compliance, and Immigration matters.
She supports businesses at all stages, from start-ups to established operators, helping them navigate complex regulatory frameworks, manage enforcement risk and build compliant, commercially sound operations.
Her work spans food and drink, hospitality, entertainment and leisure, health and social care and digital and online platforms, with a particular focus on Licensing, Regulatory compliance, and Immigration matters.
She supports businesses at all stages, from start-ups to established operators, helping them navigate complex regulatory frameworks, manage enforcement risk and build compliant, commercially sound operations.
Andy Hawkins job title is a cracker.
C-3PO - Chief People, Planet & Purpose Officer.
He founded Business on Purpose 5 years ago but has been in business for more than 30 years helping companies transform the way they work including 5 years in Africa.
His wide experience is now helping clients assess and improve their Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) impact utilising the B Corp process and B Impact Assessment.
Having supported over 500 clients across a range of sizes and sectors, as a qualified B Leader and running B Corp Certified business himself, he is well placed to provide support and insights into how any business - can be a better business.
C-3PO - Chief People, Planet & Purpose Officer.
He founded Business on Purpose 5 years ago but has been in business for more than 30 years helping companies transform the way they work including 5 years in Africa.
His wide experience is now helping clients assess and improve their Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) impact utilising the B Corp process and B Impact Assessment.
Having supported over 500 clients across a range of sizes and sectors, as a qualified B Leader and running B Corp Certified business himself, he is well placed to provide support and insights into how any business - can be a better business.
Amber is Co-Founder and Director of PEEQUAL, where she leads research and development. She holds a Master’s degree in Anthropology and Innovation and previously worked at a global design consultancy, helping blue-chip companies become more innovative in their practices.
Driven by a belief that better design creates more opportunities for women and girls, Amber oversees product innovation and manufacturing development, ensuring PEEQUAL is practical, scalable and rooted in real-world insight. She works alongside Hazel on strategy and investment.
Driven by a belief that better design creates more opportunities for women and girls, Amber oversees product innovation and manufacturing development, ensuring PEEQUAL is practical, scalable and rooted in real-world insight. She works alongside Hazel on strategy and investment.
Hazel is Co-Founder and Director of PEEQUAL, the UK’s first squat-and-go women’s urinal, redesigning public space for gender equity. She holds a first-class Master’s degree in Physics and Innovation and previously focused on particle physics before moving into R&D at FemTech company Elvie.
Obsessed with women’s time and the invisible hours lost to poor design, Hazel leads sales and commercial growth at PEEQUAL, working alongside Amber on strategy and investment as the company scales internationally.
Obsessed with women’s time and the invisible hours lost to poor design, Hazel leads sales and commercial growth at PEEQUAL, working alongside Amber on strategy and investment as the company scales internationally.
Robin Waite is the founder of Fearless Business, a business coach, bestselling author, and speaker who helps Coaches, Consultants, and Freelancers confidently charge more and build profitable, productised service businesses.
Over the last 20 years, Robin has supported thousands of entrepreneurs to create more time, more revenue, and more freedom by challenging conventional thinking around pricing, mindset, and marketing.
Between 2004 and 2016, Robin built and sold a successful marketing agency that served over 250 clients. He also delivered more than 100 workshops and masterclasses to over 1,000 business owners, helping them improve their digital strategy, pricing architecture, and online presence.
Since founding Fearless Business in 2017, Robin has gone on to speak alongside leading voices like Ali Abdaal, Chris Do, Simon Squibb, Alex Hormozi, and Daniel Priestley. He’s the author of several bestselling books, including Take Your Shot, Online Business Startup, and Marketing Machine.
When he’s not coaching or speaking, Robin is a proud dad to two daughters, a surfer, and a self-proclaimed “Sunday warrior” road cyclist - known not for climbing hills, but for descending them at speeds over 52mph.
He also holds a Guinness World Record (ask him about it), has raised over £5,000 for a local children’s charity, and is on a mission to help remove 100kg of plastic from the world’s oceans through his ongoing support of 4Ocean.
Websites: https://robinwaite.com/ & https://fearless.biz
Instagram: https://instagram.com/RobinMWaite
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/RobinMWaite
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/RobinMWaite
Over the last 20 years, Robin has supported thousands of entrepreneurs to create more time, more revenue, and more freedom by challenging conventional thinking around pricing, mindset, and marketing.
Between 2004 and 2016, Robin built and sold a successful marketing agency that served over 250 clients. He also delivered more than 100 workshops and masterclasses to over 1,000 business owners, helping them improve their digital strategy, pricing architecture, and online presence.
Since founding Fearless Business in 2017, Robin has gone on to speak alongside leading voices like Ali Abdaal, Chris Do, Simon Squibb, Alex Hormozi, and Daniel Priestley. He’s the author of several bestselling books, including Take Your Shot, Online Business Startup, and Marketing Machine.
When he’s not coaching or speaking, Robin is a proud dad to two daughters, a surfer, and a self-proclaimed “Sunday warrior” road cyclist - known not for climbing hills, but for descending them at speeds over 52mph.
He also holds a Guinness World Record (ask him about it), has raised over £5,000 for a local children’s charity, and is on a mission to help remove 100kg of plastic from the world’s oceans through his ongoing support of 4Ocean.
Websites: https://robinwaite.com/ & https://fearless.biz
Instagram: https://instagram.com/RobinMWaite
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/RobinMWaite
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/RobinMWaite
Set within one of Bristol’s most iconic harbourside buildings, The Granary is a vibrant all-day restaurant and cocktail bar that seamlessly blends heritage with modern dining.
Relaunched by owners Sumit and Puja Chadhar, the venue reflects a strong focus on quality, creativity, and breathing new life into historic spaces.
Known for its seasonal, fire-cooked dishes and locally sourced ingredients, the menu draws on modern British cuisine with Mediterranean and Persian influences. With striking interiors, a relaxed atmosphere, and a lively basement cocktail club, The Granary offers a distinctive setting for everything from casual brunches to evening drinks and celebrations.
Relaunched by owners Sumit and Puja Chadhar, the venue reflects a strong focus on quality, creativity, and breathing new life into historic spaces.
Known for its seasonal, fire-cooked dishes and locally sourced ingredients, the menu draws on modern British cuisine with Mediterranean and Persian influences. With striking interiors, a relaxed atmosphere, and a lively basement cocktail club, The Granary offers a distinctive setting for everything from casual brunches to evening drinks and celebrations.
John has over 30 years’ experience in business development and client management, John is one of the UK’s leading experts in the field of business networking.
Through The Samphire Club he combines his strategic networking skills and extensive bank of connections with a flair for putting together highly enjoyable and imaginative events that create valuable commercial opportunities for its members.
The membership, made up of both individual and corporate members working in the private sector and drawn from across the entire South West, benefits from carefully curated, select events designed to initiate specific collaborations, to broader-based, member-wide functions, and al members have access to one-to-one consultations and introductions from John himself.
Building quality, meaningful business relationships and encouraging members to freely share knowledge and contacts is at the heart of The Samphire Club ethos. Club membership is a byword for quality and has proved an invaluable resource for members. Every year, business arising from connections made through the Club, generates significant growth and opportunity across the region.
Through The Samphire Club he combines his strategic networking skills and extensive bank of connections with a flair for putting together highly enjoyable and imaginative events that create valuable commercial opportunities for its members.
The membership, made up of both individual and corporate members working in the private sector and drawn from across the entire South West, benefits from carefully curated, select events designed to initiate specific collaborations, to broader-based, member-wide functions, and al members have access to one-to-one consultations and introductions from John himself.
Building quality, meaningful business relationships and encouraging members to freely share knowledge and contacts is at the heart of The Samphire Club ethos. Club membership is a byword for quality and has proved an invaluable resource for members. Every year, business arising from connections made through the Club, generates significant growth and opportunity across the region.
Elly is a recognised Super Connector, known for bringing the right people together across the South West. She has supported over 500 founders and countless business leaders, known for impactful partnerships across the ecosystem. Elly won the SPARKIES Community Award for being “the real deal for authentic engagement,” and is now focused on her next chapter, whilst continuing to contribute to the communities at the heart of her work.
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