Speaker list

William has over 30 years of business experience with more than 20 years in business ownership and various executive leadership roles across Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Gambling / Gaming, Recruitment & Manufacturing. He initially started out with an Electrical Engineering technical background and moved into IT early in his career, completing many international IT certifications, an MSc Degree in Information Systems and recently a Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching for Behavioural Change.

Throughout his career, William has excelled as a Managing Director, CEO, and Non-Executive Director, gaining valuable insights into improving operations and driving business performance. His strategic planning and implementation skills have contributed to sustainable growth in businesses operating in South Africa, the UK, Europe, and the Americas.

Over the past 7 years, William has dedicated his efforts to assisting SME business owners in growing and enhancing their enterprises. He works closely with them to develop bespoke Business Plans, tailored to their specific needs and objectives. These plans encompass customised strategies and tactics to achieve both short-term and long-term business and personal goals.

In April 2024, William joined Surrey County Council as a Business Advisor for Business Surrey. Leveraging his extensive knowledge and skills, he provides general business advice to SME business owners across various sectors and industries in Surrey. Additionally, he collaborates with specialist advisors who focus on specific areas within each business, including Finance, Marketing, Sales, HR, and Recruitment. This collaborative approach empowers businesses to achieve high-performance growth.

Daniel is an experienced business coach, mentor and director level communications, PR & marketing consultant with 20 years of experience in business.

As a Chartered Marketer with the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Daniel has experience in-house, agency and consultancy with experience across a range of industries. In recent years, Daniel has worked with hundreds of SMEs and high growth businesses as a business coach and is accredited with the Association for Coaching.

With a coaching approach, Daniel is passionate about supporting entrepreneurs and business owners in adopting new strategies and techniques to improve their marketing, with a particular focus on early-stage businesses, start-ups, scale up businesses and social enterprises. “

Nick was educated at Gordonstoun School and St Catharine’s College, Cambridge, where he read Modern Languages.
He has been at Chelgate, the public affairs consultancy, since it was created and is now Deputy Chairman, with 35 years’ service.

He is based in the Borough of Spelthorne, Surrey, where he lives with his wife Elizabeth in the village of Laleham.
In 2012 he was appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant in the county of Surrey, where he supports the Lord Lieutenant in various ways. One of these is on the Business Committee of the Lieutenancy, which focusses on the King’s Awards for Enterprise.

As a local volunteer within his community, he has been President of the Egham & Thorpe Royal Agricultural & Horticultural Association since 1989, and plays a strong personal role in running the annual Egham Royal Show, until he retired last month. He has been President of 6th Staines Scout Group for many years, and he is Chairman of Spelthorne in Bloom.

As a fund-raiser, Nick chairs the Community Foundation for Surrey Spelthorne Fund, and is a member of the Staines Parochial Charity, which gives grants to people in need, and dates back to the 17th Century.

Nick is keen to support the local small business community, and presented awards at the Spelthorne and Runnymede Business Awards during recent years.