Board Profiles
New Forest Business Partnership became a Community Interest Company in 2020. A Board of volunteer directors who own businesses in the New Forest lead the day to day operation and set the direction and strategy of NFBP. Our Advisory Group is made up of the directors and a wide range of representatives of New Forest businesses, local government, other partner organisations and colleges.
NFBP Board of Directors
Matthew Lawson
Chairman
Marine & Tourism
Matthew's top-rated and award winning yacht charter business Escape Yachting operates from Lymington with day trips on the Solent and sailing holidays worldwide. He also owns the Thatched Cottage Hotel, Tea Room & Gin Bar in Brockenhurst.
Vicky Ryce
Communications Director
Marketing and Communications
Based in Sway, Vicky has more than 20 years communications and international marketing experience. She now runs her own company, Let’s Talk Communications, and works with a range of businesses helping them to understand and communicate with their audiences. She is a Parish Councillor in Sway.
Sandeep Sesodia
Finance Director
Financial Services
Sandeep has more than 35 years’ experience in Banking and Finance including at NatWest and The Royal Bank of Scotland and now runs his own commercial finance business, MGPS Commercial. His key focus is to assist businesses to develop and grow and to achieve their goals. Sandeep is a Non-Executive Director of Hampshire Chamber of Commerce.
David Lawrence
Compliance Director
Legal Services
David is a solicitor and senior Partner of Eric Robinson Solicitors. He has over 40 years’ experience of working in many different areas of law, including civil and criminal litigation, family law, residential and commercial property conveyancing, and most recently wills, trusts and succession. David acts as the Compliance Officer for Legal Practice at Eric Robinson Solicitors.
Heidi Roper
People, Skills & Talents
Heidi has 20 years progressive Human Resources experience in a variety of industries including manufacturing, retail and property. Heidi has operated in senior leadership positions for the last 10 years and coaches businesses as a non-executive director in people related strategy.
Rob Dewing
Partnerships Director
Web and IT
Rob runs Northerwood Systems, a business in Lyndhurst building and maintaining websites for local businesses. He is active in business lobbying as the Chair of the South Central Region of the Federation of Small Businesses.
NFBP Advisory Group
The Advisory Group meets every other month and brings a wide range of local business and government partners and organisations together to discuss the needs of the local economy and support local businesses.
Hannah Avoth
Education & Apprenticeships
Hannah is the Vice Principal and Campus Lead at Totton College, a technical and vocational centre offering programmes for 14-16 and adults across a wide spectrum of courses and apprenticeships.
Jane Porter
Lymington
Jane’s consultancy and agency Bartley Marketing provides the full range of digital and traditional marketing services and PR, combining strategic planning with hands-on implementation. Their online hub Lymington.com promotes local businesses via on page advertising and its highly regarded direct and social media channels.
David Simpson
Housing, Planning & Development
Based in Lyndhurst and Lymington, Simpson Hilder Associates are a multi-disciplinary architectural and surveying practice. David and his team are involved in a number of projects and schemes in around the New Forest including the Ampress Park development, Gordleton Industrial Estate, as well as the marine and housing sectors. The practice also works nationally in the healthcare and educational sectors.
Alison Wilson
Visitor Economy & Solent LEP
Alison along with her husband Chris, has owned the Balmer Lawn Hotel in Brockenhurst since 1997. Passionate about the New Forest and the broader hospitality industry she is also a Director with Go New Forest and a Business Director with the Solent LEP.
Elizabeth Ogley
Apprenticeships
Lizzie is part of the Solent Apprenticeship Hub as the Advisor for New Forest & Eastleigh. As part of the Hub Lizzie is able to offer free and impartial advice to all size employers, and individuals about apprenticeships, traineeships, and other programmes.
Christopher Gillingham
Health & Wellbeing
Christopher's career background has predominantly been in the leisure and commercial maritime sectors. In February 2020, Jane Kraushaar and Christopher Gillingham purchased Forest Foot and Health Clinic. They also own another award winning clinic – New Milton Foot Clinic.
Andrea McCallum
Hampshire County Council
Andrea is Manager for Enterprise & SME Growth at Hampshire County Council, having worked in economic development across the South East. Andrea’s role is supporting businesses growth in the area and business looking to locate in Hampshire. She worked with Solent LEP to establish their Business Support and Growth Hub to provide services to local SMEs.
Sam Sutton
Business Coaching
Sam founded New Forest Activities from a passion to support people's growth through outdoor activities. With a thriving business on the Beaulieu Estate and close to 20yrs of business experience, he has now turned his hand to supporting other entrepreneurs and business leaders as they achieve their goals.
Richard Parkinson
Maritime & Logistics
Richard is Port Director of Solent Gateway Ltd responsible for the operation and commercial development of the Marchwood Port. Prior to his joining SGL in January 2019 he had a long and successful career in the Army undertaking many top leadership roles including Director of Army Logistics and Programme Manager for the Ministry of Defence’s strategic Logistic Commodities and Services Transformation Programme.
Dan Parsons
New Forest Marque
Dan is the Chair of the New Forest Marque, established to champion local businesses who pride themselves on producing and providing food, drink and craft with clearly defined New Forest provenance. Dan is also the Director of a couple of small commercial companies, prior to which he spent 18 years as an Investment Banker and before that 6 years with the British Army.
Simon Bennett
Marketing and Creative
Simon leads the You Agency team, a ferociously passionate digital development agency. They design and develop, unique and engaging websites, apps and digital solutions and brand identities, thought-provoking business collateral and inspiring communication strategies.
James Hiley-Jones
Visitor Economy
Central Forest (Brockenhurst & Beaulieu)
James is Managing Director of Greenclose Hotels which includes Careys Manor Hotel & Senspa in Brockenhurst and The Montagu Arms in Beaulieu. With a long career in hotel management and the New Forest, James is passionate about the Forest and offers a wealth of experience of the hospitality industry. When not at work James enjoys cycling and time on the Solent.
Suna King
New Milton
Suna’s broad expertise and knowledge in marketing and communications comes from wide-ranging roles in marketing agencies as well as organisations including Samsung Electronics and the Wilton Carpet Factory. She is Town Development Manager at New Milton Town Council, co-ordinating the Neighbourhood Plan, with a focus on the regeneration of the town centre and enabling a digital economy.
Polly Perkins CBE
Education & Apprenticeships
Polly is Principal and Chief Executive of Brockenhurst College. With a staff of 700, the College provides education and training to 2,500 full-time 16-18 year olds studying A-levels and vocational qualifications; 700 apprentices and 7,500 mainly part-time adults. With sites across the New Forest, the College works with over 300 local businesses.
Cllr Alexis McEvoy
New Forest National Park Authority
Alexis is an experienced elected Councillor with a track record of over 20 years working and interacting at all levels in Politics, local government and the private sector while still running her own small business. She is involved locally as a Board Member for the local Academy and in a wider arena on a variety of other Boards and Management committees.
Adie Callaghan
Food & Drink
Adie runs the New Forest Hamper Company, promoting a wealth of local food and drink producers across the New Forest. Adie worked in high level corporate marketing and communications for many years, with links to hospitality and retail. Adie is fiercely passionate about “supporting local” and strives to raise the profile of the New Forest across the Food and Drink sector.
Paul Walton
New Forest National Park Authority
Environment & Rural Economy
Paul leads the New Forest National Park Authority’s work in conserving the National Park and fostering a healthy economy to sustain the Park’s unique qualities. He previously worked in Cornwall for the National Trust and as the manager of the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Paul has a Master's degree in Town and Country Planning.
Sophy Robinson
Environment & Rural Economy
Sophy’s varied career includes coaching business leaders, entrepreneurs, global corporations and the public sector. Sophy volunteers for Dorset Business Mentors and Rethink Mental Illness. Based on a grassland farm near Fordingbridge, she is interested in the sustainable management of land, forestry and historic farm buildings.
Keith Lightning
Energy & Renewables
Owner of Lightning and of KLIA Group of companies and associated businesses, offering electrical and instrumentation installations and specialist personnel provision, quality partnership and team practices and arrangements. RoSPA and British Safety Council Health & Safety National Award winners. Services include Oil & Gas, Hazardous Areas, Energy From Waste, Nuclear, Power & General. Keith is a member of IOD, Management Board & General Council Member of Engineering Construction Industrial Association, Industrial Relations Committee and Engineering Productivity Improvement Committee.
Cllr Sue Bennison
New Forest National Park Authority
Sue is Treasurer of the Bramshaw Horticultural Society and both Chairman and Treasurer of the Bramshaw and District Film Society. She is also the Bramshaw Parish Councillor, leading on planning and highway matters and the Parish representative on the Consultative Panel.
Since 2011, she has been the District Councillor for Marchwood. As a District Councillor she sits on the Planning Committee and the Environmental Panel and has an active interest in housing, health and leisure and all environmental issues.
Cllr Michael Harris OBE
New Forest District Council
Business Consultant and NFDC Cabinet Member for the Local Economy, Michael has 40 years experience in advising companies and individuals in film, tv, advertising and PR.
Claire Upton-Brown
New Forest District Council
Claire is the Chief Planning Officer at NFDC, responsible for Planning Policy and Strategy, and Economic Development.
Frances Fawcett
International Trade
Frances brings experience of working in IT, marketing consultancy and global programme management. Frances also owned a manufacturing business and now works as a consultant, trainer and coach in the fields of business planning and international trade.
Anthony Climpson OBE
Go New Forest
Anthony has worked in the New Forest for more than 35 years, firstly with NFDC and since 2017 with GNF. Totally committed to embedding responsible tourism into the daily life of the wider community and using it to create a strong and locally resilient economy.
James Ford
Solent Local Enterprise Partnership
James was appointed to the role of Business Engagement and Growth hub Manager at the Solent LEP in 2018. Prior to this, James was a Business development Manager at Southampton Football Club and was responsible for sourcing and activating new partnerships with both small and large businesses.