The Board

Sir Roy McNulty CBE

Sir Roy McNulty was appointed Chairman of Advantage West Midlands in May 2009.

Sir Roy was previously Chairman of the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the specialist aviation regulator a post he held for eight years.  Prior to this he was Chairman of National Air Traffic Services Limited (NATS) from May 1999 to July 2001.

He is a former Chief Executive and latterly Chairman of Short Brothers plc, the Belfast-based aerospace company now part of Bombardier Inc.  Previous posts include being President of the Society of British Aerospace Companies and Chairman of the former Department of Trade and Industry Aviation Committee.

Sir Roy is Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Olympic Delivery Authority, Chairman of the Ilex Urban Regeneration Company in Northern Ireland, and a non-executive Director of Norbrook Laboratories Limited.

Sir Roy is currently joint Chairman of the Joint Strategy and Investment Board with Cllr Roger Phillips. 

Dr David Brown

A scientist by background, Dr David Brown is Chief Executive of the Institution of Chemical Engineers, the Rugby-based international organisation for chemical, biochemical and process engineering professionals.

David has been Deputy Chair since December 2008.

Until 2006 he was Head of Technology and Innovation Management at the consulting firm Arthur D. Little Ltd. David devised the concept of regional Science and Industry Councils and he has worked professionally in all of the English regions, principally on science, innovation and enterprise, as well as for companies and Government bodies in the UK and around the world.

David held a series of R&D and management positions at ICI Plc and is an Associate Fellow at Warwick Business School as well as a member of the West Midlands Innovation and Technology Council, the Central Technology Belt, West Midlands in Europe, and the Centre for Sustainable Engineering.

Professor Madeleine Atkins

Professor Madeleine Atkins is Vice-Chancellor of Coventry University, having studied law and history as an undergraduate at Cambridge University before qualifying as a secondary teacher.  She taught for four years in a large comprehensive school in Huntington before returning to higher education to complete her PhD at Nottingham University.

Following various doctoral research positions, she became a lecturer in education management at Newcastle University, developing a keen interest in the use of new technologies to support effective learning.  Having held the positions of Head of Department, Dean and Pro-Vice-Chancellor at Newcastle University, Professor Atkins became Vice-Chancellor of Coventry University in 2004.

Madeleine is currently a Board member of the Higher Education Funding Council for England and sits on its Strategic Advisory Committee for Enterprise and Skills.  She is also a Board member of the National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship and a member of Universities UK Employability, Business and Industry Policy Committee.  Madeleine was a member of the CBI’s Higher Education Task Force and has recently represented academia on the ‘Fair Access to Professions’ Cabinet Office Panel.

Regionally, Madeleine is Deputy Chair of Advantage West Midlands' Council for Innovation and Technology and Chair of Universities West Midlands.

Jas Bains

Jas Bains is Chief Executive of Ashram Housing Association which he has helped transform into a multi-national award winning organisation for its work on tackling social and economic inequalities. He was appointed to the AWM Board in January 2008 and is the Board champion for social enterprise and a passionate advocate of a new economic order where value equals 'more than profit’.

He has businesses interests in India and has been instrumental in the development of the successful Wolverhampton India Trade Partnership.  Jas is also the founder of www.socialbreakfast.org which is a not-for-profit social networking website. This site provides a space for young people to express their views on the issues that matter to them in their communities. It also offers the opportunity for young people to engage with policy makers and politicians, thereby providing a means to influence decision making. The site encourages self expression and is not tied to any one particular political party, belief, opinion or faith.

Brendan Connor

Brendan Connor is Chairman of CENEX, the Centre of Excellence for Low Carbon and Fuel Cell Technology, based at Loughborough University.

Educated at Leeds and Bradford Universities, Brendan later served in the Royal Navy before holding civil service appointments in UKAEA and ACAS and then joining the Engineering Employers Federation.

He joined Lucas Aerospace in Solihull as Personnel Director in 1987 before joining TRW as Managing Director of the Electric Steering Division. In 2001 he was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Cosworth Racing in Northampton.

Brendan is Chairman of Governors of the Coventry School Foundation, Trustee of the Royal Air Force Museum, an Independent Member of the West Midlands Police Authority, a non-executive Director of Coventry and Warwickshire Hospitals NHS Trust and a Non-Executive Director of Motorsport Development UK.

Gerard Coyne

Gerard Coyne is the Trade Union representative on the Board of Advantage West Midlands and has been Regional Secretary of the Transport and General Workers Union since May 2001.  He is currently Chair of the Midlands TUC.

A graduate of the University of Birmingham, he has worked for the TGWU for 18 years in research and industrial roles, representing 138,000 members across both the private and public sectors.

As Chair of the West Midlands Trade Union Congress, Gerard has taken an active role in pursuing the lifelong learning agenda on behalf of trade union members.

He was elected as a Labour representative for the Longbridge ward in 1995 and served for seven years at Birmingham City Council, during which time he chaired the economic development and regeneration committees.

John Crabtree OBE

John Crabtree is a former senior partner of Birmingham law firm Wragge & Co, and now acts as a consultant to the company.

John is the Chairman of regional business exchange Investbx Holdings Ltd.

In addition, John holds a number of Chairmanships including Metalrax Group Plc, SLR Holdings Ltd, Claimar Care Group Plc and a Director of Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre Trust.

He is also a Non Executive Director of Staffline Recruitment Plc and former President of Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He has collected several awards in recent years including UK Lawyer of the Year in 2003, Birmingham Law Society Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003 and Variety Club Midlands Businessman of the Year in 2004.

Angela Maxwell OBE

Angela Maxwell achieved prominence as one of the region's most dynamic entrepreneurs as Commercial Director of Fracino, the UK's only manufacturer of espresso and cappuccino coffee machines.

Angela was honoured by the Queen in 2007 at Buckingham Palace, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to UK trade and industry.  She is a former European adviser to UK Trade & Investment and a regional ambassador for the Women's Enterprise Network.

Angela heads Acuwomen which is the UK's first company to bring an all-women group of entrepreneurs under one roof.  Angela has been awarded an OBE in the 2010 Queens Birthday Honours for services to business in the West Midlands.

Kumar Muthalagappan OBE

Kumar Muthalagappan founded a successful themed hotel and specialist restaurant group, Pearl Hotels, in 1994 which has developed the premium brands of Georgetown Restaurants, Coconut Lagoon Restaurants, Peacock Hotels, the Grand Hotel and Colwick Hall Hotel operating in Kenilworth, Stratford-upon-Avon, Nottingham and London.

Originally from India and Malaysia, Kumar came to the UK in 1978 and to the West Midlands in 1980. He is married to Kannahi a Chartered Accountant, has three children, and lives in Coventry.   Kumar is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

A graduate of the University of Warwick in 1983, he was invited to join the University's Council in August 2007 and is involved in committees dealing with Nominations, Honorary Graduates, and the appointment of the University Chancellor. 

Appointed to the board of Visit Britain in 2002, Kumar also chairs its Audit Committee.  He was previously involved with the Belgrade Theatre and Heart of England Tourism between 2000 and 2004, and is currently involved with assisting Alexandra Palace in London become a sustainable venue in the long term.

Kumar was appointed to the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) at its creation by Parliament and holds responsibility within the Audit, Finance, and Remuneration Committees.  Kumar is the current Chairman of the Audit Committee at Advantage West Midlands.

He is the Deputy Chairman of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and is primarily involved in an outward looking capacity for the Orchestra.  He is also involved with a number of charities, including the NSPCC and CLIC Sargent helping to raise their profile and funds for their causes.

He was awarded an OBE in the 2009 New Year's honours list for services to tourism and hospitality.

Cllr Roger Phillips

Councillor Roger Phillips was elected to Herefordshire Council in 1997 and appointed Leader of the Council in May 2003. He has overseen the development of a deeper partnership with the Primary Care Trust, appointing a joint Chief Executive and senior Management Team.

He is currently joint Chairman of the Joint Strategy and Investment Board with Sir Roy McNulty.  He is Vice-Chair of the Board of Local Government Employers and the National Joint Council who are responsible for all pay and workforce issues in local government.

Roger has a background in agriculture and in the voluntary youth sector.  He is a former Deputy President of the National Federation of Young Farmers, he serves as a Council member of Three Counties Agricultural Society and is the Rural lead member on the Advantage West Midlands Board.  He was appointed a fellow of the Royal Society for the encouragement of arts, manufacture and commerce in 2006.

Sue Prince OBE

Sue Prince and her husband Terry run Beechenhill Farm, an organic dairy farm in Ilam, which provides eco-weddings and award-winning eco holidays in their bed and breakfast, self catering and wheelchair-accessible cottages. She is an eco-tourism business consultant.

Sue is an artist and book illustrator creating ‘organic’ art works celebrating country life, also teaching Swedish folk art in England and Sweden. She is a Commissioner on the Commissioner for Rural Communities and sits on the National Trust Land Use and Access Panel.

As a Sustainability Champion on the Board, Sue works to encourage and support sustainable, collaborative and rural business developments and was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for services to farming and tourism in the Midlands.

Diane Rayner

Diane Rayner is a former member of Worcestershire County Council and previously leader of Malvern Hills District Council.  She is a governor of Evesham and Malvern Hills Colleges.

Diane is from a small business background and has run two businesses of her own with experience from across the UK, Europe and the Caribbean. Until retirement, Diane was Policy Development Officer for the West Midlands for the Federation of Small Businesses.

She is a Diversity Champion on the Board of Advantage West Midlands with particular interest in social enterprise, economic inclusion and the voluntary and community sectors.

Cllr Kenneth Taylor OBE

A local authority appointment to the Advantage West Midlands Board, Ken Taylor is former Leader of Coventry City Council serving from June 2004 to May 2010,  He is a Councillor for the Earlsdon ward and Shadow Leader of the Conservative Group in Coventry.

Ken has lived in Coventry since 1972, working for a number of multi-national companies such as Nestle and ICI in sales management positions. 

He has held a number of key positions during his time in public service, including Director of Whitefriars Housing Association, governor at two Coventry schools, member of the West Midlands Passenger Transport Authority and, in 2002-03, Lord Mayor of Coventry. Ken is also a member of the Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire Partnership.  Ken has been awarded an OBE in the 2010 Queens Birthday Honours for services to Local Government.

Jonnie Turpie MBE

Jonnie Turpie is Digital Media Director of Maverick Television, which he founded and has become one of the UK’s leading Regional and National Independent production companies as part of the All3Media Group.  He has produced and directed drama, documentary and digital media over the last 25 years.

Following from his career as an artist in his own right his touchstone has been collaborative film and television.  Jonnie is acknowledged across the industry as a forward thinker, he has applied new video, technology and electronic techniques to create new styles and approaches on television and media.  Throughout his career, he has contributed to the development and delivery of policy across the screen industries. 

Jonnie was appointed to the AWM Board in December 2009 and sits on the Regional Marketing Board and the Innovation and Technology Council and is a fellow of Warwick University.  Jonnie was honoured in the 2010 New Years Honours List with an MBE. 
 

Cllr Mike Whitby

Councillor Mike Whitby became Leader of Birmingham City Council, the largest local authority in the UK, in 2004. His political career stretches back to 1979, has included time as both a Councillor and a parliamentary candidate, and has involved working with some of the country’s most prominent and influential politicians.

Not only a seasoned politician, Cllr Whitby has a long history as a businessman, industrialist and entrepreneur with a reputation for turning around failing companies. He has been a member of the Institute of Directors, the Federation of Small Businesses (being chairman of their largest branch in the country from 1994-1995) the West Midlands Engineering Employers Federation (National Committee 1994-1995) and a Director of the Dudley and Sandwell Chambers of Commerce. He is currently chairman and Managing Director of Skeldings Ltd, an award winning (Birmingham Post) Engineering Company based in Smethwick.

Although born and raised in Birmingham Cllr Whitby has also lived in Germany, being educated at Michael's Hoven College (in the then West Germany) and completing a programme of voluntary work there as well. He has also worked in the cultural sector in Liverpool.

In addition to being Leader of the Council, Cllr Whitby has interests and strategic influence across the city and the West Midlands. He is Chairman of the Birmingham, Coventry and Black Country City Region, Chairman of the Aston Science Park Board, a director of the NEC and sits on numerous cultural and economic boards across Birmingham.