Meet The Team

David leads the strategy for the business, particularly how we engage with our sectors and deliver quality advisory services to the SME market.

Martin’s expertise lies in developing strong partnerships with funders to design, set up and run successful business support contracts.

Yanina leads on the design and delivery of innovation services, leveraging her expertise on commercial direction, entrepreneurship, industry-academia R&D and commercialisation.

Helen is working to build the Exemplas brand within Business Support Services, and is collaborating with cross-functional teams to communicate our insights to drive our sector forward.

Nabila enables programme managers and Heads of Service to access critical data with ease, supporting analysis, informed decisions, and demonstrating the impact of Exemplas’ work through effective data solutions.

James has overall responsibility for delivery of a portfolio of programmes including Growth, Innovation, Leadership, Export and Productivity support to SMEs across the Midlands and North.

Liza leads the Growth Hub’s talented team and is responsible for the delivery of the Growth Hub’s contract for Exemplas and its consortium partners on behalf of Hertfordshire Futures part of Hertfordshire County Council.

Rob oversees the business development strategy for Exemplas including partnerships, propositions, and working with the marketing team on Exemplas’ comms. He also oversees the work of Ellenbrooke, a trading style of Exemplas, who deliver commercial management systems consultancy to businesses of all sizes.

Alun oversees operations and finance for Exemplas, and for our joint ventures and subsidiary companies.

Richard is an expert in helping companies build robust innovation grant strategies and navigate the complexities of funding applications to accelerate growth.

As part of a co-founding team that successfully scaled a medical device business internationally, Sarah understands first-hand the challenges early-stage medtech companies face and how to overcome them. 

Nick leads a team providing export support and works closely with a programme executive team. He brings strong leadership, commercial acumen, and a deep understanding of SME challenges, backed by a wide regional stakeholder network.

Wendy supports established Hertfordshire SME’s and social enterprises by providing impartial advice, support and resources to help them achieve their goals

Arun leads and develops a specialist team dedicated to transforming how entrepreneurs navigate complex funding landscapes.

Nick leads a team of six growth specialists to support ambitious companies develop their managerial capacity, with a view to sustaining growth across the region.

James manages the delivery of intensive, focused consultancy support to ambitious SMEs across the West Yorkshire Combined Authority region. Managing a team of experts who work with proactive companies across multiple sectors to help them become more productive and grow.

Jude manages a diverse portfolio of creative technology and AI clients predominantly located in the Leamington Spa (Silicon Spa) region, a recognised hub for gaming, AI, and creative innovation. Her responsibilities involve supporting companies — often operating with lean teams — as they harness artificial intelligence to drive productivity and develop cutting-edge solutions.

Kieran has been delivering expert business advice and driving growth for over 15 years, with a particular passion for supporting social enterprises and purpose-driven organisations.