Our team is passionate about growing the South Midlands and representing and supporting every business that makes up our vibrant, historical and unique region.
Growing the South Midlands matters to our team because it’s where we live. We see the impact our support has on our towns and cities, and we benefit from a successful and growing region.
Get to know the team, and why they’re passionate about supporting businesses by clicking below.
BASED: WEST NORTHANTS
Contact: ruth.roan@southmidlands.org.uk
Why are you passionate about supporting businesses in the South Midlands?
I truly believe the South Midlands is an incredible place to live and work, and I want to contribute to its continued growth and success.
Having successfully run my own business for over 20 years, I am deeply passionate about ensuring business support is practical, accessible, and fit for purpose. With the right support, advice, and guidance, every business has the potential to thrive.
I see this as an opportunity to influence and shape public sector policy to benefit businesses across the region, fostering a vibrant and prosperous economy.
My proudest moment working for the Growth Hub
My proudest moment, and what I love most about working for the Growth Hub, is being part of an incredible team. Watching them work collaboratively, stay committed to their mission, and genuinely make a difference for businesses across the region is truly magical. It’s inspiring to witness the positive impact we create together.
Growth Hub Manager
ruth.roan@southmidlands.org.uk
BASED: MILTON KEYNES
Contact: kelly.griffiths@southmidlands.org.uk
Why do you love working for the Growth Hub?
Every day, I have the privilege of engaging with inspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders, helping them navigate their challenges and leverage opportunities. Whether it’s guiding a startup through its early stages, assisting a business in accessing grant funding for growth, offering support during difficult times, or providing hands-on guidance as companies embark on their sustainability journeys, I am passionate about making a positive impact. The Growth Hub is an invaluable resource, and I am proud to be part of a team that shares a commitment to fostering business success and driving economic growth across the region.
Business Adviser Manager
kelly.griffiths@southmidlands.org.uk
BASED: NORTH NORTHANTS
Contact: carl.mayers@southmidlands.org.uk
Why are you passionate about supporting businesses in the South Midlands?
The personal reward of achieving success through supporting owners to overcome growth blockers & barriers, by applying business experience, and knowledge across multiple disciplines, and environments.
My proudest moment working for the Growth Hub
Supporting a family owned automotive retailer, in securing capital borrowing for a new £0.5m premises purchase, resulting in a successful thriving business, employing multi- generational family members.
Business & Commercial Enterprise Manager
carl.mayers@southmidlands.org.uk
BASED: MILTON KEYNES
Contact: jess.stead@southmidlands.org.uk
Why are you passionate about supporting businesses in the South Midlands?
After many years of working in London, I truly value the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in my local community. The South Midlands is home to incredible people, places, and businesses, and I’m passionate about supporting their success!
Why do you love working for the Growth Hub?
Supporting a diverse range of businesses across various sectors is incredibly rewarding, and I take great pride in seeing them grow and thrive!
Business Adviser
jessica.stead@southmidlands.org.uk
Based: NORTH NORTHANTS
Contact: maxwell.smart@southmidlands.org.uk
Why are you passionate about supporting businesses in the South Midlands?
I’m passionate about supporting businesses in the South Midlands because I’ve experienced their challenges and opportunities firsthand. Having run my own businesses, worked with multinationals, and gained international experience in Canada, I understand how important local businesses are to both the economy and the community. I want to use that experience to help them succeed and grow.
Why do you love working for the Growth Hub?
I enjoy working at the South Midlands Growth Hub because every day brings something new. I get to collaborate with a diverse range of businesses, each with unique challenges and ambitions, which makes the role both exciting and rewarding. What I value most is being able to make a tangible difference, helping businesses overcome obstacles and achieve growth that benefits them and the wider community.
Business Adviser
maxwell.smart@southmidlands.org.uk
BASED: BEDFORD BOROUGH
Contact: allison.colman@southmidlands.org.uk
Why are you passionate about supporting businesses in the South Midlands?
I am passionate about supporting businesses in the South Midlands because I believe in the potential of this region to thrive through innovation, collaboration, and a strong sense of community. It’s exciting to be part of a network that values resilience, forward-thinking, and the drive to overcome challenges together.
My proudest moment working for the Growth Hub
My proudest moment working for the Growth Hub is successfully delivering grant programmes, enabling businesses to drive innovation and sustainability. These grants have provided vital financial support, enabling businesses to invest in cutting-edge solutions and adopt sustainable practices that not only strengthen their competitive edge but also contribute to the region’s long-term economic growth.
Senior Grants Executive
allison.colman@southmidlands.org.uk
Based: MILTON KEYNES
Contacts: samantha.hunter@southmidlands.org.uk
Why are you passionate about supporting businesses in the South Midlands?
Seeing the growth of a business as a result of the support they received from our team is incredibly satisfying. Watching a business owner grow in confidence and implement strategies to take their business to the next level is inspiring to witness, and makes me feel like we as a team are on the right track and providing the right tools to businesses across the South Midlands.
My proudest moment working for the Growth Hub
As Partnerships Manager, I began nurturing a relationship with a local business who had briefly received some support from our advisor team. The owner fully committed to wanting to do more to support other businesses and as such got involved in our events programme, swiftly followed by our Hour with an Expert programme and has just recently been successfully appointed as a member of our Business Board.
For me that was quite a full circle experience. Going from being “just a business” in the region – who needed support – to becoming fully emersed in the cogs that help drive us forward as a Growth Hub!
Partnerships & Events Manager
samantha.hunter@southmidlands.org.uk
Based: MILTON KEYNES
Contact: emma.panter@southmidlands.org.uk
Why are you passionate about supporting businesses in the South Midlands?
Supporting and engaging with businesses, whether small or large, is rewarding and impactful as it helps stimulate the economy by creating sustainable jobs, and skills, and fosters innovation in the area.
My proudest moment working for the Growth Hub
Leading on the development of and working closely with the South Midlands Business Board which will bring together business leaders across the region to help shape our future economic strategy and ensuring that the voice of business is represented in decision making.
Senior Administrator
emma.panter@southmidlands.org.uk
Based: WEST NORTHANTS
Contact: melinda.frankland@southmidlands.org.uk
Why are you passionate about supporting businesses in the South Midlands?
Having grown up in the South Midlands and returned after a decade in London, I’ve witnessed an impressive transformation in the region. Supporting businesses here feels personal – I want to give back to the community that shaped me, and I’m driven by the opportunity to make a meaningful impact here.
Why do you love working for the Growth Hub?
The growth and innovation among local businesses is inspiring, and I enjoy contributing to that momentum. I find it incredibly rewarding to see businesses thrive and succeed as a direct result of the support we provide. We’re only a small team, but I’m constantly in awe of how much gets done each day!
Project Support Officer
melinda.frankland@southmidlands.org.uk
BASED: NORTH NORTHANTS
Contact: patrick.kitson@southmidlands.org.uk
Why are you passionate about supporting businesses in the South Midlands?
During my career, I’ve worked for businesses across the South Midlands. I’ve seen first-hand the impact investment and support can have on industry and the people who make up the thriving communities we have across the region.
I’ve also witnessed the negative impact a lack of support can have on towns and villages, and how, without this support, innovation drops and investment plummets.
Our region has incredible potential, on a local, national and global scale. Every day we’re inspired by business owners developing innovative ideas that are looking to revolutionise the way they work and what they offer.
With the right support and guidance – which the Growth Hub offers – we can cement the South Midlands as the home for businesses in the UK.
Marketing & Communications Lead
patrick.kitson@southmidlands.org.uk
