Our Judges

CEO | Bira

Andrew Goodacre has been the CEO of Bira since 2018 and is passionate about working with the high street and supporting small businesses.

Mr Goodacre has a strong background in retail and hospitality, and since taking up the role, has been integral in pushing forward independent retailers and showcasing their importance of them being at the very heart of every good high street throughout the UK and a vital part of life and the economy within local communities.

He started his career in hospitality, spending 25 years working in the retail divisions of national breweries and pub companies.

Andrew was also formerly a member of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) before becoming the CEO of the Residential Landlords Association in 2013.

Group Business Development Director | TaxAssist Accountants

James has spent his entire full-time career with TaxAssist Accountants since completing his honours degree in Business Information Systems. After spending five years as our IT Manager building many websites and providing support to the franchisees, he then took on the role as our Marketing Manager in 2004 to face a new challenge. James went on to become Senior Business Development Manager driving a team to deliver record numbers of leads to the network and ensure brand consistency was maintained through online, print media and the shop fronts and offices within the UK network. James joined the Group Board in 2016 and is responsible for marketing campaigns, brand development, shopfronts and ensuring client acquisition strategies are implemented across all Group companies to support growth plans for the business. From 2024, James also has responsibility for franchisee recruitment, growing the network to its full potential.

CEO and Co-Founder | FundOnion

James is the CEO and co-founder of FundOnion. Prior to setting up FundOnion, James had a career as a banking and finance lawyer working both in-house in the mining and oil sectors, as well as at high-profile law firms. He focussed initially on corporate finance and IPOs for listed vehicles and investment funds. Following his career in law, James entered the SME Finance space, seeking to create a customer-led, tech enabled comparison website to help small businesses access funding.

Head of Website Development | Red Giraffe

Lee Houselander is the Head of Website Development at Red Giraffe, where he spearheads the design practice with a visionary approach to human-centred design. An award-winning designer, Lee holds degrees in Marketing with Media Communications, Graphic Design, Website Design and Development, and Business Development. He runs a talented team of developers, renowned for his expertise in UX and web design, seamlessly integrating psychology and consumer behaviour to create visually stunning and highly engaging websites. His profound knowledge in research, usability, design strategy, information architecture, interaction design, and prototyping consistently elevates UX/UI capabilities, driving superior client outcomes. Lee’s innovative strategies enhance user engagement and significantly boost conversions, solidifying his reputation as a transformative leader in digital design.

Chief Executive | Willen Hospice

Kate recently joined the team at Willen Hospice as CEO, following an expansive 24-year career with the John Lewis Partnership.  During her time at John Lewis Kate led a variety of Head Office functions including Internal and External Communications, Retail and Governance. She also spent a significant amount of time heading up several branches from the John Lewis shop portfolio. Kate has held some Non-Executive and Trustee roles, both within the Private and Third Sectors.  She is well-connected within her local community and has taken on the new challenge within a well-loved charity, to give back to the people of Milton Keynes and surrounding areas.

CCO and Co-Founder | FundOnion

Neil is the CCO and a co-founder at FundOnion. Neil has worked for the past 10 years in sales, primarily in the UK SME finance space and having overseen millions of pounds of funding to small businesses. Neil operates at FundOnion as head of lender relations, helping the business to best understand the underwriting requirements of FundOnion’s capital providers.

Founder | Blue Soul Shoes

Ashley Riley is the Owner and Managing Director of a National Award Winning Marketing and PR Agency who after experiencing a mental health crisis and stroke in 2023 set up Blue Soul Shoes, an online support group for middle aged men who experience poor mental health.

Ashley has shared his story on regional and national BBC news and speaks to businesses and organisations, including the NHS about his journey in a thought disrupting, challenging and inspiring way with a focus on how those listening can practically put what they hear into practice.

Director | Remote Recruitment

Emily van Eyssen is a dynamic entrepreneur and seasoned professional, with a rich background in both the property and recruitment industries. Currently, she leads as the Managing Director at Remote Recruitment, a pioneering firm dedicated to connecting top talent from South Africa with premier businesses in the United Kingdom. Emily’s unique approach to recruitment is rooted in her extensive experience in the property sector, where she developed key insights into strategic business management and complex negotiations.

Leveraging her diverse expertise to foster long-term relationships with both clients and candidates, emphasising a personalised approach that aligns with market needs and individual career goals. Her strategic vision is complemented by her commitment to providing transparent, efficient, and accessible recruitment solutions, making her a trusted partner in the remote workforce sector.

Beyond her professional achievements, Emily is a person of diverse interests and simple pleasures. She finds joy and rejuvenation in the simple acts of taking long walks on the beach accompanied by her beloved dog, Izzy. These moments away from the hustle of the business world allow her to recharge and reflect. Moreover, Emily isn’t shy about indulging in life’s little luxuries, like treating herself to a sneaky margarita now and then, embracing the balance between work and play.

Emily’s blend of professional excellence and personal warmth exemplifies the core values of Remote Recruitment, where they believe in fostering a community that values human connections, professional achievement, and the joys of a well-balanced life.

Based in Sussex, Emily’s journey is a testament to the impact of leading with expertise, passion, and a touch of modernity—qualities that define the spirit of Remote Recruitment and guide our mission to make remote work a fulfilling and accessible reality for all.

Chief Operating Officer | Profile Resourcing Group

Managing Director | Quantuma Advisory

Michael is a qualified chartered accountant (ICAEW fellow) and licensed insolvency practitioner. During his career, he spent over a decade working at the Big Four firms before starting Chamberlain & Co in 1998.

Chamberlain & Co was one of the leading independent firms of Insolvency Practitioners and Business Rescue experts in the UK, before joining forces with the national firm Quantuma Advisory Ltd in October 2022. Michael is now the Managing Director of the Yorkshire office.

Michael plays a key role in actively working to build strong relationships with both clients and colleagues, saving jobs, businesses and maximising value for all stakeholders.

Michael also has over 30 years of experience in advising, small to medium-sized enterprises, corporates, distressed investors and individuals in complex financial restructuring and recovery situations across various industry sectors.

Michael’s experience includes business turnaround, performance improvement, supporting accelerated mergers, acquisitions, disposals, and accepting formal insolvency appointments as, amongst other things, liquidator, administrator, receiver and trustee.

Michael is passionate about supporting entrepreneurs, SMEs, and business owners navigate the treacherous waters of commercial life. He has extensive experience across many diverse sectors as well as niche expertise in property investment and development, overseas trade, e-commerce and renewable energy.

Managing Director | Rebox HR Ltd

Managing Director | Business Clan

Rohit is the Managing Director of Business Clan, a multi-award winning one-stop-shop for business consultancy and professional services.

In addition to being MD of Business Clan, Rohit is the MD of Apex Accountancy, an award-winning accountancy practice based in West London. Over 1,000 SME clients nationally are served between the businesses across a wide range of industries.

Prior to becoming MD of Apex, Rohit qualified as a Chartered Accountant and had a distinguished career in private equity, corporate finance and tax for some of the world’s largest institutions.

Rohit specialises in helping businesses grow by being a sounding board for senior leaders / entrepreneurs to guide them on their growth journey.

CEO | Skills4Stem Ltd.

Sarah Graham is a highly accomplished, pro-active, charismatic female business leader. Deeply passionate about training and education, in 2014, Sarah established Skills4Stem, an industry-focused qualifications provider specialising in providing BTEC, HNC and HND qualifications and career-focused apprenticeships in areas of construction, engineering, and project management with progression routes into professional chartership. The organisation today employs over 35 permanent people and utilises the skills of 40 trainers across the UK, Dubai, UAE and Ireland.
As an FCIOB Chartered Construction Manager and Fellow, undisputed female leader and powerful industry ‘voice’, Sarah has participated in countless Built Environment committees and governing bodies.
Sarah undertook an advisory role (2017-2019) with the Department for Education on the Building Services Engineering T Panel, developing the Building Services Engineering framework for Technical Education pathways for 16-to-19-year-olds.
Sarah has blended a hugely successful professional career with ‘giving back’. A passionate philanthropist, she served as a Magistrate at the Luton and Bedfordshire Magistrates court for ten years, been a Trustee for the Friends of Bedford Hospital and is currently an active Trustee for Heart Academies Trust delivering great education for pupils aged 4-18 and improving life chances for all.
In 2017, Sarah won Bedfordshire Businesswoman of the Year, and in 2019, was included in the EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women UK & European class of the year.

Managing Director | Care Horizons Ltd

Vierka Hiscock is the Managing Director & CEO of Care Horizons Ltd, the leading provider of in-home day and 24/7 care and lifestyle management for individuals in Yate, UK. With more than 20 years of expertise in patient social care and business administration, she embodies a passionate and forward-thinking leadership style. Since joining in 2017 she has played an integral role in shaping the organization’s success, gaining them numerous awards and providing all her staff with one-to-one mentoring every month for life skills. She holds a Level 5 Diploma in Management and Leadership in Health and Social Care and is currently pursuing a CMI Level 7 Diploma, further enhancing her leadership capabilities. Vierka has implemented a vision to ‘tear down the stigma of mental health and disabilities and turn them into superhuman power’. This can sometimes be challenging in the care services sector as there is a lack of awareness and funding, hence Vierka and her team work hard to compensate this by offering different benefits, work environment and further training.

Chief Executive | Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce

Justin has served as the CEO of Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce since 2018. During his tenure, he has overseen growth in the membership network, led on numerous business support programs and represented local businesses on various boards and forums offering valuable insights into the current local business and economic landscape to help shape policy.

With a passion for fostering collaborative business networks, Justin is dedicated to providing a platform for local businesses to connect and build meaningful long-term relationships.

Working with start-ups through to multinational corporations, Justin ensures that businesses of all sizes have the opportunity to thrive and succeed within the dynamic Bedfordshire business community.

Chief Strategy Officer | London Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Lucie is a qualified Accountant and the Chief Strategy Officer at the London Chamber of Commerce. Lucie has more than 20 years experience in London sectors including Insurance, Financial services and Not for Profit organisations. She brings significant experience in audit, risk, investment, governance, transformation and strategic review. Lucie has worked with businesses of varying sizes and understands the core issues that can impact these businesses. She is passionate about helping businesses, and people, reach their potential.

Lucie is proud to be representing the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI). The LCCI has a rich, diverse and long history of supporting it’s members through areas such as networking, learning opportunities and policy review.

Centre Manager | Capital Space LTD (Milton Keynes  Business Centre)

Matt is an experienced Senior Business Manager with a 20 year career covering Leisure, Hospitality and Commercial Property. Since April 2018 Matt has been proudly leading a fantastic team as Business Centre Manager for Capital Space Ltd, based at Milton Keynes Business Centre. The team pride themselves on providing the very best flexible Office, Studio and Workshop space for their customers on monthly rolling licence agreements. The Capital Space team also provides additional business support to SME’s with great meeting, virtual office and call handling services. Matt takes a keen interest in promoting sustainable business practices, and in 2024 attained his AssocRICS designation with Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. Matt has been a judge for the Milton Keynes and Bucks awards for 4 years and a National Awards judge for 3.

Director | Snowdonia Hub

Chris and the team of experts gathered at Snowdonia Hub are outstanding performers in their chosen field. Each shares his ethos built from decades of over achievement in some of the finest ‘Blue Chip’ corporations. Deliver the finest coaching that empowers anyone to achieve improvements in personal and business performance and create self-belief.

It takes years of real world experience to identify specific opportunities for improvement within teams and individuals. In a world pushing ‘Systems’ and an over emphasis on amatuer psychology, Chris’s method of transferring skills with honesty, confidence, accountability and fun is proven to change the outcomes for hundreds of individuals, teams and company results.

We all have the same hours in a day, let’s make this a better life.

Business Development Manager | Reis Motorsport Insurance a trading name of Kingfisher Insurance Services Limited

Specialising in the fast-paced world of motorsport, Tom’s role sees him providing insurance solutions to some of the UK’s most prestigious race teams and businesses. Commanding exceptional attention to detail and risk management, Tom is no stranger to the pressures businesses face in today’s environment.

Previously to this, he has worked throughout Europe on growing distribution and sales channels post Brexit and the challenges faced. He was also the Sales and Marketing Director for almost a decade at one of the UK’s oldest and independently owned race circuits, Castle Combe. This is where Davis oversaw the strategy and growth of a large portfolio of events as well as successfully navigating the business throughout Covid.