Board of Directors
Chamber Board Members
Brian Hibbert
Chairman
Brian was Managing Director of Lockheed Martin UK Insys Limited until his retirement in November 2006 since when he has been a consultant to the company. In 2001 he was MD for a management buyout of the long established Ampthill defence systems company Hunting Engineering Limited. The company was purchased by Lockheed Martin UK Holdings in October 2005. Mr Hibbert initially joined Hunting from Rolls Royce in 1973 where, after a number of different roles in engineering and project management, he was appointed Engineering Director in 1991 and Managing Director in 1993. A qualified Chartered Engineer and European Engineer, Mr Hibbert is a member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers as well as Vice-President and Fellow of the Society of Environmental Engineers. He has served on a number of influential aerospace trade organisations such as the Society of British Aerospace Companies, is a member of the Court of Cranfield University, a member of the Institute of Directors, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. In the 2004 New Years Honours List he was awarded the CBE for services to the Defence Industry.
Richard Lacy
Chief Executive
Richard leads the Chamber following extensive experience in both economic development and commercial business. After developing a reputation for being something of an innovator and maverick (totally legal) in the City and abroad, his major claim to fame was the creation of a group which he started from his spare bedroom and built in 4 years to become a £5 billion assets international financial services conglomerate, employing several thousand people and producing profits of circa £85million. Richard has been CEO of Business Link Bedfordshire and Luton, Bedfordshire and Luton Training and Enterprise Council, Independent Mortgages Corporation plc, National Home Loans Holdings plc and Birmingham Midshires Building Society. He has also sat on a number of boards and steering groups dealing with issues ranging from economic development and financial issues through to education and skills. Richard sometimes has a normal life with four daughters and three granddaughters. He is also a keen competitive cyclist and at a recent World Masters Track Cycling Championships he officially became the fastest man in his age group.
Lawrence Davies
Vauxhall Motors
Lawrence is Director of Purchasing and Logistics at Vauxhall Motors. Lawrence has worked for Vauxhall throughout his working life including three years spent working in Germany at Vauxhall's sister company Opel. Lawrence lives in Harpenden and has two grown up children.
David Eales
Royal Bank of Scotland
David Eales is Regional Director for Business Development, East Anglia and Northern Home Counties for Royal Bank of Scotland Group. His role focuses on £1m to £25m turnover businesses. David has been with the group for over 30 years and during that time has worked in New York, The City and Central London. He lives in Bedford, and has 2 daughters and a grandson. David, being a Scot, plays golf to a handicap of 12, is a keen supporter of Bedford Blues and Scotland rugby teams, and enjoys membership of Rotary, where he has just completed a 500 mile challenge on his racing bike over 3 days. He is a member of the Institute of Directors and has completed the Certificate of Corporate Governance which is his first attempt at studying a qualification since completing his degree at University.
Pauline Stewart
Ingram De Havilland
Pauline is managing director of Ingram De Havilland. One of the UK's strongest and most vocal advocates for the advancement of women, Pauline's primary goal has been to help women devcelo their full potential and become confident and competent leaders. She has introduced two training programmes 'Women in Leadership –the confident leader' and 'Walking with Wolves', both of which have received widespread praise from delegates. A special constable for ten years, Pauline is also a newly-appointed magistrate.
Phil Inness
Axis Electronics
Phil Inness is managing director of Axis Electronics. He formed Axis after leading a successful management buy-out of part of Texas Instruments when it closed its Bedford operations in 1995. Phil graduated from Liverpool University with an honours degree in electronics and started his career at Thorn EMI as a graduate trainee. Prior to strarting Axis he held a number of quality and management roles in Siemens and Texas Instruments. He is on the board of Bedford Development Agency, Renaissance Bedford and is chair of the Chamber's Policy Council. Phil was awarded his MBA in 1994. He lives in Biddenham with his wife Agnes and three children.
Judy Oliver
You Unlimited
Judy set up her company You Unlimited in 2001 after working for the Dale Carnegie Training Organisation for five years. Her previous experience was with The Dee Group where she was National Sales Manager for fifteen years. Judy specialises in working with companies that recognise the need for promoting leadership behaviour, as well as management development, in their organisations. Since You Unlimited was created she has worked with organisations such as Coca Cola, Avon Cosmetics, Jungheinrich and RPC Containers. In addition, Judy has worked with many local SMEs in businesses as diverse as care homes, manufacturing and the professions. She has written a leadership programme that she delivers to the fresh produce suppliers of Tesco, which is shortly to be accredited as an ILM Level 5 programme. Judy has lived in Bedfordshire for over 30 years and is involved with several organisations that promote community and business life in the area. A member of the Bedford de Parys Rotary Club, Judy is also a trustee of the Bedford and Luton Community Foundation and is active in her home town of Potton.
Gareth Smith
SMC Charter Architects
Gareth Smith is currently retained as a consultant to SMC Charter Architects with whom he has completed 28 years. Gareth started as an architect in the Ampthill office and having served as Managing Director for many years, retired as Chairman earlier this year. Previously, Gareth worked for North Herts District Council and two other private practice firms. Gareth is a Director of Create: MKSM, a local "version" of the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment with responsibilities for the Milton Keynes and South Midlands Growth Area. Considerable effort will be required to ensure that Bedfordshire achieves its proper place and due consideration in the development of the Growth Area. A member of the Chamber's Bedford Area Group, Gareth also serves on the Eastern Region Council of the CBI and remains involved with a sub-committee of the CBI in London dealing with Town Planning legislation and related policy and implementation issues. Gareth is also a member of the Rotary Club of Sandy.
Elliot Renton
Finance Director at London Luton Airport
Mr Renton joined London Luton Airport in 2006, trained as a chartered accountant at KPMG, working in both audit and consultancy. Before joining London Luton Airport he worked for MFI Furniture Group Plc as the Supply Chain and Global Category Finance Director, with responsibility for manufacturing, purchasing, logistics and elements of the Group's restructuring. Prior to that, he spent eight years at Diageo Plc, in a variety of financial roles across the organisation, including group finance, product & market development, procurement and supply.
A member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Mr Renton was educated at Leeds University and the City of London School.
Steve Coates
Contact Us
The Board welcomes the opportunity for members and business to communicate on any relevant issues. Please feel free to contact us.
