Advisory Board
The Birmingham City Business School Advisory Board provides advice, guidance and support to the Director of School and other senior colleagues within the school, helping to achieve its vision and strategic objectives.
The Board helps in ensuring that the school can operate as a leading school in its approach to meeting the needs of the employers and other stakeholders, in the UK and overseas.
Dr Abubakar M Dembo
Director: Internal Audit/Alumni
An experienced banker and civil servant, Abubakar has expertise in banking operations, marketing and relationship management, credit administration, debt recovery, budgeting, financial accounting, auditing, and the tendering process.
He graduated from BCU’s Business School in 2010 with a MA in Accountancy and Finance. He has a wealth of portfolio management, coaching, and training expertise under his belt.
Andrew Connors
Regional Head Midlands and Head of Public & Third Sector, Corporate & Institutional Banking, Lloyds Bank
Andrew is Midlands Regional Head for Lloyds Banks’ Corporate & Institutional Banking business and national Head of Lloyds’ Public & Third Sector business which includes UK Government, Higher Education and large Charities.
Andrew Lawton Smith
Partner: Fieldfisher
Andy is the Head of the Corporate & M&A team in the Midlands at leading European business law firm, Fieldfisher. He works for managerially-owned enterprises as well as large UK and overseas-owned corporates and private equity-owned companies on significant acquisition, disposal, joint venture, debt and equity raise and equity capital market projects. His key focus markets are Tech and Advanced Manufacturing.
As a break from his legal career, Andy was CEO of a data management and aggregation software company between 2009 and 2013. A key claim to fame of that business was that it sold its software and services to IBM.
Daljinder Mattu
Senior Policy Lead Cyber Security (Midlands): Department for Digital, Media, Culture and Sport
Daljinder has extensive private and public sector experience, advising business and government leaders on a diverse range of issues (corporate reputation, stakeholder, media, internal, crisis comms & CSR, etc).
She is a well-rounded senior communicator on external and internal engagement – from strategy to delivering, using both traditional and new media tools. She has established press office functions in high pressured environments including during crises, and acts as spokesperson for clients with international, national and local media.
Daljinder is experienced in operating within international cross-functional teams (product management, engineering, implementation, political, legal, finance and marketing), and is a championing for Diversity.
Darrel Edwards
West Midlands Business Advisors
As owner of West Midlands Business Advisors, Darrel specialises in helping businesses grow both organically and by acquisition and supports both the exit strategy and business sale.
He is Regional Director for Boardroom Advisors providing senior level strategic support to local businesses. In his previous career, he has successfully led five manufacturing businesses with 70 to 600 Employees.
As business owner/MD - General Manager, Darrel has spent the past six years providing support to local SMEs. He enjoys leading teams and helping to find solutions that deliver real commercial benefits.
His career covering engineering, manufacturing, program management, and business leadership, has enabled him to prove his ability to grow and scale businesses; he can relate to the challenges any business has to face.
He enjoys collaborating with other businesses in a wider network to find the best solutions for customers. He is very keen to develop the relationship between business and academia to deliver long term benefits to students and ultimately deliver growth in the local and UK economy.
Deborah Leary
CEO, Forensic Pathways
As CEO and Founder of Forensic Pathways (FPL), Deborah has responsibility for the strategic management and direction of Forensic Pathways, focussing particularly on the exploitation of its product and service offering to international markets and the Company’s commitment to Corporate Governance.
Forensic Pathways is an international consultancy and technology design company, developing innovative technologies in the criminal and business intelligence field. The Company provides threat intelligence technology and services to a range of public sector, private and corporate clients including Background Investigations, Open Source Intel, Social Media Investigations, Dark Web Monitoring/Investigations and Simulated Phishing Campaigns/Cyber Security Awareness Training.
Eugene Nizeyimana
CEO and Managing Partner: SSCG Group
Eugene Nizeyimana is an accomplished entrepreneurial engineer, business leader and international management consultant with more than 20 years’ experience and a track record in delivering multi-channelled capabilities and solutions across a broad range of clients in over 15 global markets and industries ranging from Professional Services, Management Consulting, Oil and Gas (E&P), Technology, Manufacturing and Automotive Sectors.
He is the Managing Partner of SSCG Consulting and CEO, African Business Chamber (AfBC). He sits on the boards and is a Business Advisory Panel at Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) and Birmingham City Business School (BCBS). He has served in various capacities and has held a wide range of responsibilities from both the private and public sectors including many International Oil Companies (IOC), Innovate UK, Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), GTC Energy, NHS Institute of Innovation and automotive OEMs such as Jaguar Land Rover, BMW, Caterpillar and Alexander Dennis.
Fleur Sexton
CEO and Co-Founder of PET-Xi Training, Co-Founder of PET-Xi Restaurants
Fleur Sexton is a Deputy Lieutenant, representing Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of the West Midlands, Honorary Doctor of the University (BCU), Businesswoman of the Year and CEO and Co-Founder of multi-award-winning PET-Xi Training, one of the most hard-hitting and dynamic training providers in the UK with a reputation for success with the hardest to reach.
PET-Xi is a high-energy training specialist whose multi-award-winning teams work tirelessly to make a difference to people’s lives, firing up their minds with engaging and positive learning experiences designed to help them achieve their target grades, get back into employment or upskill and progress along their chosen pathways. 10% of all profits is given to charity and community projects every year through the PET-Xi Foundation.
Ghanshyam Nabar
Founder & Director, UICONNECT LTD (UK India Connect)
Ghanshyam Nabar is a dynamic and results-driven leader with over 18 years of experience in driving strategic growth and economic development across diverse sectors. He possesses a proven track record of building high-value partnerships with key stakeholders in government, industry, and community organisations, securing substantial funding, and leading cross-functional teams to exceed targets and deliver exceptional results.
He has worked for global brands such as Sony, Mahindra & Mahindra and more recently served the public services sector in England. A well-regarded figure within the UK India corridor, he was instrumental in leading initiatives connecting UK with the sub-continent that facilitated investments, trade and export, direct connectivity through direct flights and University partnerships. In addition, he is passionate about giving back to society and serves as a Non-Exec Director on the board of the charity Youth Federation Cheshire.
Jonathan Couch
Head of Communities Impact & ESG Communication Specialist: OSB Group
As Head of Communities Impact & ESG Communications for a FTSE 250, Jonathan is responsible for delivering the Community Impact Strategy with a key focus on people. Whether through engaging employees to volunteer their time to good causes, raise funds for deserving charities, or identify and manage sponsorship partnerships to provide significant help to the underserved and overlooked in our communities.
His skills and experience include business improvement, call centre management, marketing, and project management, which include a successful application for a new banking licence.
Lorraine Gbadegesin
Director and CEO: Lozboutique
Lorraine is a certified business coach with extensive experience in the fashion industry, exemplified by her successful fashion consultancy brand, Lozboutique.
She has a solid background in finance and project management having worked with various public and private organisations in diverse roles.
Recognising the challenging journey of an entrepreneur, Lorraine’s understanding of the struggles others face has been a driving force for her to support and empower people in her network. Lorraine is a visiting lecturer at BCU.
Mark O'Sullivan
Managing Director, BanaBay
Mark is a multiple business owner and serial entrepreneur spanning the fresh produce, recruitment-creative sector, digital, tech and retail industries.
Prior to starting multiple businesses Mark had a 19 year career in logistics. however opportunity arose in the fresh produce import/export industry and this led Mark to the path of entrepreneurship and he hasn’t looked back.
Marven Gabula
Director
Marven is a visionary company director with a proven track record in real estate, property development and management, health and social care, and multiple projects including planning, acquisition, strategy, design, construction, administration and management.
He is an adaptive dynamic leader who is an innovative operational planner in business processes. Successful in building organisations, Marven makes full use of his skills to provide business direction and growth strategy, whilst ensuring policy and procedural implementation.
Michelle Lynch
Owner and Director: Lynch’s Resources Ltd
Michelle is the owner of the award-winning Lynch’s Resources, specialising in hybrid accounting and finance services for small and medium enterprises.
Having been actively involved in various community projects and initiatives, including running a successful Business Group pilot scheme featured in the Financial Times, Michelle has developed strong ties within the local business community. She has also had the privilege of engaging with key stakeholders, including Mayor Andy Street, on community projects close to her heart.
Her professional journey has led her to serve as an Associate Non-Executive Director on the Worcestershire Acute Hospital Trust board, where she has gained valuable insights into governance structures and accountability frameworks, particularly within the healthcare sector.
Olivia Oulaghan
Senior Shopper Marketing Manager: Beiersdorf
With over six years of experience in shopper marketing and consumer behaviour, Olivia’s mission is to create and execute effective shopper marketing strategies that engage consumers, deliver value to customers, and drive growth for brands.
As part of the shopper marketing team, Olivia contributes to the development of innovative shopper marketing plans, excellent agency collaboration and management, the management and co-ordination of cross-functional projects, and the communication and presentation of marketing plans to internal and external stakeholders. She manages and mentors a team of shopper marketing executives, fostering a culture of collaboration, creativity, and excellence. She is passionate about understanding and influencing consumer behaviour and delivering 360 consumer-focused marketing plans that enhance the customer experience and loyalty. Olivia is a Marketing graduate of BCU, leading to roles within Next Group PLC.
Paul Brown
Director of the Business School Advisory Board
Paul is a Director at EY where he leads the Government and Public Sector team for the region. He is a board member of the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership where he is Chair of the Access to Finance Group and the Business Competitiveness Group.
He is also member of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Investment Board and an Operations Board member of the Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF) supporting £250million SME investment funding for region. He has also recently joined the Technology Supply Chain Advisory Council supporting manufacturing, technology and services companies. Paul has an MBA from Warwick Business School and has studied in the US as part of an International Government leadership Programme at Harvard Business School and MIT.
PAUL CADMAN
Professor in Entrepreneurship at Birmingham City University Business School, regional business leader and charity ambassador
A national and international award-winning Chief Executive Officer with a demonstrated history of success working in technology, manufacturing, retail, consultancy, media and membership organisations. Paul has taken businesses from conception to £100m plus turnover based largely on organic growth, experience, strategy and contacts.
Paul owns and operates numerous companies across a broad range of sectors and supports several organisations in various capacities, including holding current positions as vice president of Acorns Children’s Hospice Trust, Patron of EmployabilityUK and Board member of St Basils and Steps to work.
Praveen Gupta
National Head of Tax, Baldwins
Praveen is the Office Managing Partner for the Birmingham office and the UK Head of Tax. Prior to Praveen joining the firm he trained and qualified as a CTA with a national practice in London before moving back to the Midlands area.
Praveen’s strategic role focuses on ensuring the Azets business is well established in the Midlands and ensuring that the team are empowered to achieve their objectives.He is also responsible in setting and delivering the group’s wider tax strategy, developing the team and making sure that clients receive the best advice and an excellent service.
Shaz Umbreen
Director of Brand and Marketing, National Trust
Shaherazad Umbreen is a director, non-exec director, and leader of innovation in brand, marketing, and sustainability. Enabling social justice is Shaherazad’s core purpose. She delivers inclusive and purposeful strategies for organisations which work to make the world a fairer place.