Paulette Simpson

Paulette Simpson CIM BA MBA is the Chief UK Representative for Jamaica National Building Society, one of Jamaica’s premier financial institutions and the largest Building Society in the Caribbean. Prior to this she was responsible for the UK operations of National Commercial Bank Jamaica.

She also worked for Price Waterhouse Coopers for 6 years and whilst in this role was seconded to the Commonwealth Secretariat to develop and deliver a training programme for young women in business in Zambia. Since 2004 Paulette has represented the UK on the Jamaica Diaspora Advisory Board to advise the Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade on issues relating to the Jamaica Diaspora in the UK.

Paulette has a wealth of experience in representational management, market analysis and marketing planning implementation.

Ron Gardner

Ron Gardner is the Loan Fund Manager at oneLondon. He was previously a Bank manager with HSBC Bank at branches within the Haringey area, Ron is very aware of the problems encountered by businesses in trying to raise start up funding.

He has since been using this experience to manage loan funds described as "lenders of last resort" for oneLondon Ltd.

www.one-london.com
ron.gardner@one-london.com

Ronke Phillips , Journalist and Reporter, LNN

Ronke has been a journalist for more than 20 years and has been fortunate enough to enjoy a varied career in print, radio and television. She has worked both as a Presenter and Reporter - for national and regional television both in the UK and abroad.

Ronke, who is of Nigerian heritage, attended a girl’s school in Putney before gaining a BSC honours degree in Third World Economics and Social Sciences.

She began her broadcast career working as a Radio Reporter for a host of local BBC Radio stations including BBC Radio London, Nottingham, Leicester and Derby.

The breakthrough into television journalism came through a place on the ITN’s News Trainee Scheme through Central TV in Nottingham. Ronke has also worked for BBC Daytime, BBC Features, BBC New York and GMTV.

Since 1999 she has been a general reporter at London News Network, working on a number of special investigations including coverage of the release of the M25 three, a notorious Yardie trial at the Old Bailey and the murder of Victoria Climbie,

Ronke is also a freelance writer and a supporter of charities; the Vitiligo Society and the African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust.

Ruth Brothwell, Supply Chain Manager, Supply London, Pera Innovation

For the past five years Ruth Brothwell has led the Supply London programme which assists small businesses in London in their efforts to be a great supplier and win future contracts. Becoming a part of the London supply chain is hugely important to business as the regeneration plans offer tantalising opportunities. Ruth and her team have created links to major corporations and the Greater London Authority organisations are using Supply London as a means of finding capable small businesses for their procurement needs. The Supply London team are able to provide a wealth of information and advice to help small businesses meet the requirements of larger buyers.

Before joining Supply London Ruth worked in the private sector helping major global businesses improve their own supply chains. Active in logistics and distribution Ruth has travelled throughout the UK and Europe and brings knowledge and expertise of ways of building a business through supply chain opportunities.

Sheila Elliott

Sheila graduated with bachelors in science degree with honours majoring in accounting. She went on to receive her professional qualifications with the Chartered Association of Certified Accountant and then became a fellow of the association five years later.

In 2005, Sheila gained her Masters in Business Administration and then proceeded to start her own consultancy firm “Business Services Support Limited”, providing coaching, training and consultancy services mainly to medium sized businesses. Through her services, she has helped numerous businesses and individuals to embrace change through the implementation proven strategies to achieve their goals faster.

Sherry Dixon

Sherry Dixon is and continues to be an inspirational force for Black women in the UK. Sherry is an innovator who founded the Sherry Dixon Show which focuses on the particular needs of the skin and beauty of women of colour. She is a Consultant of Black By Design hair and make-up range.

As Editor of Pride Magazine, Lecturer and chat show host of the Sherry Dixon Show (which discusses topics that affect women of today), her beauty, health and lifestyle pages in Pride magazine have been both informative and entertaining reading for her many fans

www.pridemagazine.com