Meet the Team

Practiced as a solicitor for 4 years in London before moving to Zimbabwe and running an ostrich and paprika farm for 10 years.  She also set up and ran Asekela painting holidays and sold African art through the Zimbazaar.  She returned to the family Estate in 2002 where she is currently Chief Executive.  She has worked for many charities both in Zimbabwe and the UK, helping to raise considerable sums for a variety of good causes.

With a particular interest in young people, she built a school in Zimbabwe and helped to set up the first primary free school in Shropshire.  She was a school governor for 20 years and remains an academy trustee.  She has also served for 12 years as County President of St John Ambulance, is, among other trusteeships, currently chair of trustees at the RDA Cavalier Centre, chair of the Shropshire branch of the CLA, trustee of the Weston Park Foundation, patron of the Footprint Gallery in Jackfield and High Sheriff of Shropshire 2022/23.

A passionate believer in collaboration and co-operation, and that working together nothing is impossible.

Married, with two children and two very needy dogs.

Dean Harris is Director and Business Advisor at The Business Company, based in Shrewsbury which provides a range of services which support business to improve, re-engineer, grow, acquire or exit.

In addition, Dean also has extensive experience of the voluntary sector – she served as a magistrate (in family and criminal courts) for over 22 years, was High Sheriff of Shropshire for 2021/22, is the independent Chair of the Telford & Wrekin Domestic Abuse Forum and a trustee on several local trusts and charities.

Dean is a driven, pro-active and resourceful all-round business professional who has over 30 years’ experience (to board level) primarily in operations and finance.  She is a very capable, objective and forthright individual who is commercially astute and has a wealth of business acumen.  Dean is known for her practical ‘hands-on’ approach, combined with excellent interpersonal skills and a good sense of humour!

Chartered marketeer, Ruth Martin has spent over 20 years working in campaigning and marketing within the private and charity sector.

Having gained experience working in both family run businesses and national market leading organisations, Ruth brings a wealth of marketing and communications knowledge to the Foundation with a focus on developing trialogues that deepen community unity and understanding.

In 2018 Ruth partnered up with local journalist and lecturer, Janet Jones to set up their own consultancy and marketing firm helping small & medium sized organisations and charities build their communications strategies, share their stories and create a bond between themselves and their audiences.

As a lifelong resident of Shropshire, Ruth is driven by a deep desire to see Shropshire succeed and to help create strong, sustainable communities that will help Shropshire to thrive now and into the future.

Away from work Ruth can be found wandering in hills, swimming in lakes and dancing under a glitterball.

Brought up and educated in North Wales, Roger studied for an MA in English Language and Literature at Christ Church, Oxford. After a short career teaching in England and the Middle East, in 1980 he set up an import and distribution company in the automotive aftermarket which he ran for 32 years before selling the share capital to Ecobat Technologies of the USA in 2010. He was a Trustee of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra between 2011 and 2017 and a Trustee and subsequent Chair of the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity from 2011 until 2022. He has been the leader of Shropshire Freemasons since 2018.
Roger is married to Monica Pirotta, a retired judge and between them they have five children.

Ben brings over 30 years of commercial experience to the Foundation; his early career working for the Carphone Warehouse Group in London.  In mid-career he completed an MBA at Warwick Business School and became co-owner of a family engineering business; a manufacturer of bolts brackets and distributor of industrial fastenings. As Managing Director Ben’s principle focus was finance and operations.  That business was recently acquired by a larger industrial group.

Ben is the Foundation’s ‘Finance and Audit’ trustee.

Sonia Roberts is CEO of supported employment and training charity Landau, who work with disadvantaged people to help remove their barriers to employment. In recognition of its work the organisation was awarded the Queens Award for Enterprise in 2021. As one of the region’s highest-profile businesswomen Sonia was appointed Chairman of the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership. The LEP brings together the business community, the public sector and academia to drive economic growth across Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin, and has invested £196million in the region over the last decade.

Sonia worked in fashion and design with Laura Ashley as Director of Planning, Design and Buying for the global garment range, before moving to the role as Director of Planning and Design Franchise which involved the responsibility for all overseas markets comprising of 500 stores across Australasian, Europe, Far East, Middle East, South America and North America

.Johnny is an experienced entrepreneur having worked in senior high growth corporate roles as well as starting, growing and selling his own business. Since 2007, Johnny has owned and grown Good2Great which has helped thousands of businesses in Shropshire to start and grow. The company is built on an ethos of promoting opportunities across the Shropshire community to enrich local economies.

He has also launched a new community interest company, Good4Good which exists to support those who do not have access to training or mentors needed to gain the knowledge and confidence to launch their own enterprise.

Having spent his whole life in Shropshire, Johnny is committed to helping the business community to successfully engage with those in the Shropshire community in need of support so we can work as a team to enhance Shropshire’s reputation as one of the best places in the UK to live and do business.

Graham was born into a large Shropshire farming family and followed a career in engineering.
In the 1980s Graham was appointed a Magistrate for Shropshire serving on the Telford bench.

In the 1990s, Graham and his wife, Jenny, founded Telford based TTC Group, the largest driver education and retraining organisation in the UK. Graham also served on the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety. In 2006, he was awarded the OBE for services to Road Safety.

In 2011 Graham joined the board of Marches Local Enterprise Partnership serving Shropshire, Herefordshire and Telford &Wrekin; he was appointed Chairman in 2013.

Graham was a founding member of Telford Business Partnership, and former Chair of Telford Business Board and various growth companies in Telford.

In 2016, Graham’s work with Business and Entrepreneurship regionally and nationally was recognised by the University of Wolverhampton and he was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Business Administration.

More recently, Mr and Mrs Wynn have created the Wynn Foundation, a charity to support community needs and create opportunities for groups and individuals across Shropshire and support them to prosper.

Currently, Graham Chairs the Telford Town Deal Board and the UKSF Board for Telford; securing Government growth funds to bring major projects forward, to secure the future growth and development of Telford.

Other interests include competing in motor sport. Also supports Shropshire Army Cadet Force Trust, Midlands Air Ambulance ad RAF Museums in both London and the Midlands.

Brian Welti JP was declared the new High Sheriff of Shropshire for 2024-25 on Friday 5 April, at the Shrewsbury Crown Court, Shropshire.

Brian’s focus for his Shrieval Year is to support RABI (Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution). As Brian explains “I want to do all I can to help The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution. Shropshire is a very rural and agricultural county and because of my own interest in farming, I want to emphasise the work they do and raise awareness of the issues faced by the farming and rural communities which are often hidden or misunderstood”.

Brian is also supporting Shropshire Community Foundation, Crimebeat and the Firefighters Charity, due to his links with the emergency services.

Practiced as a solicitor for 4 years in London before moving to Zimbabwe and running an ostrich and paprika farm for 10 years.  She also set up and ran Asekela painting holidays and sold African art through the Zimbazaar.  She returned to the family Estate in 2002 where she is currently Chief Executive.  She has worked for many charities both in Zimbabwe and the UK, helping to raise considerable sums for a variety of good causes.

With a particular interest in young people, she built a school in Zimbabwe and helped to set up the first primary free school in Shropshire.  She was a school governor for 20 years and remains an academy trustee.  She has also served for 12 years as County President of St John Ambulance, is, among other trusteeships, currently chair of trustees at the RDA Cavalier Centre, chair of the Shropshire branch of the CLA, trustee of the Weston Park Foundation, patron of the Footprint Gallery in Jackfield and High Sheriff of Shropshire 2022/23.

A passionate believer in collaboration and co-operation, and that working together nothing is impossible.

Married, with two children and two very needy dogs.

Dean Harris is Director and Business Advisor at The Business Company, based in Shrewsbury which provides a range of services which support business to improve, re-engineer, grow, acquire or exit.

In addition, Dean also has extensive experience of the voluntary sector – she served as a magistrate (in family and criminal courts) for over 22 years, was High Sheriff of Shropshire for 2021/22, is the independent Chair of the Telford & Wrekin Domestic Abuse Forum and a trustee on several local trusts and charities.

Dean is a driven, pro-active and resourceful all-round business professional who has over 30 years’ experience (to board level) primarily in operations and finance.  She is a very capable, objective and forthright individual who is commercially astute and has a wealth of business acumen.  Dean is known for her practical ‘hands-on’ approach, combined with excellent interpersonal skills and a good sense of humour!

Chartered marketeer, Ruth Martin has spent over 20 years working in campaigning and marketing within the private and charity sector.

Having gained experience working in both family run businesses and national market leading organisations, Ruth brings a wealth of marketing and communications knowledge to the Foundation with a focus on developing trialogues that deepen community unity and understanding.

In 2018 Ruth partnered up with local journalist and lecturer, Janet Jones to set up their own consultancy and marketing firm helping small & medium sized organisations and charities build their communications strategies, share their stories and create a bond between themselves and their audiences.

As a lifelong resident of Shropshire, Ruth is driven by a deep desire to see Shropshire succeed and to help create strong, sustainable communities that will help Shropshire to thrive now and into the future.

Away from work Ruth can be found wandering in hills, swimming in lakes and dancing under a glitterball.

Brought up and educated in North Wales, Roger studied for an MA in English Language and Literature at Christ Church, Oxford. After a short career teaching in England and the Middle East, in 1980 he set up an import and distribution company in the automotive aftermarket which he ran for 32 years before selling the share capital to Ecobat Technologies of the USA in 2010. He was a Trustee of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra between 2011 and 2017 and a Trustee and subsequent Chair of the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity from 2011 until 2022. He has been the leader of Shropshire Freemasons since 2018.
Roger is married to Monica Pirotta, a retired judge and between them they have five children.

Ben brings over 30 years of commercial experience to the Foundation; his early career working for the Carphone Warehouse Group in London.  In mid-career he completed an MBA at Warwick Business School and became co-owner of a family engineering business; a manufacturer of bolts brackets and distributor of industrial fastenings. As Managing Director Ben’s principle focus was finance and operations.  That business was recently acquired by a larger industrial group.

Ben is the Foundation’s ‘Finance and Audit’ trustee.

Sonia Roberts is CEO of supported employment and training charity Landau, who work with disadvantaged people to help remove their barriers to employment. In recognition of its work the organisation was awarded the Queens Award for Enterprise in 2021. As one of the region’s highest-profile businesswomen Sonia was appointed Chairman of the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership. The LEP brings together the business community, the public sector and academia to drive economic growth across Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin, and has invested £196million in the region over the last decade.

Sonia worked in fashion and design with Laura Ashley as Director of Planning, Design and Buying for the global garment range, before moving to the role as Director of Planning and Design Franchise which involved the responsibility for all overseas markets comprising of 500 stores across Australasian, Europe, Far East, Middle East, South America and North America

.Johnny is an experienced entrepreneur having worked in senior high growth corporate roles as well as starting, growing and selling his own business. Since 2007, Johnny has owned and grown Good2Great which has helped thousands of businesses in Shropshire to start and grow. The company is built on an ethos of promoting opportunities across the Shropshire community to enrich local economies.

He has also launched a new community interest company, Good4Good which exists to support those who do not have access to training or mentors needed to gain the knowledge and confidence to launch their own enterprise.

Having spent his whole life in Shropshire, Johnny is committed to helping the business community to successfully engage with those in the Shropshire community in need of support so we can work as a team to enhance Shropshire’s reputation as one of the best places in the UK to live and do business.

Graham was born into a large Shropshire farming family and followed a career in engineering.
In the 1980s Graham was appointed a Magistrate for Shropshire serving on the Telford bench.

In the 1990s, Graham and his wife, Jenny, founded Telford based TTC Group, the largest driver education and retraining organisation in the UK. Graham also served on the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety. In 2006, he was awarded the OBE for services to Road Safety.

In 2011 Graham joined the board of Marches Local Enterprise Partnership serving Shropshire, Herefordshire and Telford &Wrekin; he was appointed Chairman in 2013.

Graham was a founding member of Telford Business Partnership, and former Chair of Telford Business Board and various growth companies in Telford.

In 2016, Graham’s work with Business and Entrepreneurship regionally and nationally was recognised by the University of Wolverhampton and he was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Business Administration.

More recently, Mr and Mrs Wynn have created the Wynn Foundation, a charity to support community needs and create opportunities for groups and individuals across Shropshire and support them to prosper.

Currently, Graham Chairs the Telford Town Deal Board and the UKSF Board for Telford; securing Government growth funds to bring major projects forward, to secure the future growth and development of Telford.

Other interests include competing in motor sport. Also supports Shropshire Army Cadet Force Trust, Midlands Air Ambulance ad RAF Museums in both London and the Midlands.

Brian Welti JP was declared the new High Sheriff of Shropshire for 2024-25 on Friday 5 April, at the Shrewsbury Crown Court, Shropshire.

Brian’s focus for his Shrieval Year is to support RABI (Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution). As Brian explains “I want to do all I can to help The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution. Shropshire is a very rural and agricultural county and because of my own interest in farming, I want to emphasise the work they do and raise awareness of the issues faced by the farming and rural communities which are often hidden or misunderstood”.

Brian is also supporting Shropshire Community Foundation, Crimebeat and the Firefighters Charity, due to his links with the emergency services.

Rhoddy Swire, the founder of global fund of funds Pantheon Ventures LLP, one of the pre-eminent private equity fund-of-funds in the world, with over £80 billion under management worldwide.  In 1981 Rhoddy joined GT Management to oversee and manage unquoted investments and subsequently led the buyout from GT Management Ltd to form Pantheon. Previously, he was an executive of John Swire & Sons Limited, working in Hong Kong, Sydney and London. He holds a BSc in Engineering and Economics from Birmingham University and is a qualified Chartered Accountant.  He has now stepped back from Pantheon, but has various other business interests, trustee roles including former Chairman of Hereford Cathedral Perpetual Trust and Abberley Hall School. He is a Deputy Lieutenant and a Former High Sheriff of Shropshire.

Frank Bury, experienced founder with 18 years experience in the venture capital and private equity industry and 12 years prior to that working in capital markets. Skilled in corporate development, mergers & acquisitions (M&A), corporate finance, valuation, and foreign languages. Strong business development professional, graduated from IESE Business School, Barcelona (MBA 2004).

Jonathan Evans graduated in economics and joined the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank in 1989. He pursued his career in global financial markets with HSBC until 2016, when he returned home to Herefordshire to take over the management of family farming and property interests. He was appointed Mappa Mundi Trustee with responsibility for oversight of the Trust’s investments in 2017; and is currently a member of the cathedral’s Finance and Risk Committee in the capacity of investment brief. He has similar investment responsibilities as a trustee of the Foundation of Ludlow College, and mentors medically discharged military veterans through the Supporting Wounded Veterans charity. In 2022, he was appointed to the board of governors at Moor Park school, where he will chair the Finance Committee.

Practiced as a solicitor for 4 years in London before moving to Zimbabwe and running an ostrich and paprika farm for 10 years.  She also set up and ran Asekela painting holidays and sold African art through the Zimbazaar.  She returned to the family Estate in 2002 where she is currently Chief Executive.  She has worked for many charities both in Zimbabwe and the UK, helping to raise considerable sums for a variety of good causes.

With a particular interest in young people, she built a school in Zimbabwe and helped to set up the first primary free school in Shropshire.  She was a school governor for 20 years and remains an academy trustee.  She has also served for 12 years as County President of St John Ambulance, is, among other trusteeships, currently chair of trustees at the RDA Cavalier Centre, chair of the Shropshire branch of the CLA, trustee of the Weston Park Foundation, patron of the Footprint Gallery in Jackfield and High Sheriff of Shropshire 2022/23.

A passionate believer in collaboration and co-operation, and that working together nothing is impossible.

Married, with two children and two very needy dogs.

Dean Harris is Director and Business Advisor at The Business Company, based in Shrewsbury which provides a range of services which support business to improve, re-engineer, grow, acquire or exit.

In addition, Dean also has extensive experience of the voluntary sector – she served as a magistrate (in family and criminal courts) for over 22 years, was High Sheriff of Shropshire for 2021/22, is the independent Chair of the Telford & Wrekin Domestic Abuse Forum and a trustee on several local trusts and charities.

Dean is a driven, pro-active and resourceful all-round business professional who has over 30 years’ experience (to board level) primarily in operations and finance.  She is a very capable, objective and forthright individual who is commercially astute and has a wealth of business acumen.  Dean is known for her practical ‘hands-on’ approach, combined with excellent interpersonal skills and a good sense of humour!

Chartered marketeer, Ruth Martin has spent over 20 years working in campaigning and marketing within the private and charity sector.

Having gained experience working in both family run businesses and national market leading organisations, Ruth brings a wealth of marketing and communications knowledge to the Foundation with a focus on developing trialogues that deepen community unity and understanding.

In 2018 Ruth partnered up with local journalist and lecturer, Janet Jones to set up their own consultancy and marketing firm helping small & medium sized organisations and charities build their communications strategies, share their stories and create a bond between themselves and their audiences.

As a lifelong resident of Shropshire, Ruth is driven by a deep desire to see Shropshire succeed and to help create strong, sustainable communities that will help Shropshire to thrive now and into the future.

Away from work Ruth can be found wandering in hills, swimming in lakes and dancing under a glitterball.

Brought up and educated in North Wales, Roger studied for an MA in English Language and Literature at Christ Church, Oxford. After a short career teaching in England and the Middle East, in 1980 he set up an import and distribution company in the automotive aftermarket which he ran for 32 years before selling the share capital to Ecobat Technologies of the USA in 2010. He was a Trustee of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra between 2011 and 2017 and a Trustee and subsequent Chair of the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity from 2011 until 2022. He has been the leader of Shropshire Freemasons since 2018.
Roger is married to Monica Pirotta, a retired judge and between them they have five children.

Ben brings over 30 years of commercial experience to the Foundation; his early career working for the Carphone Warehouse Group in London.  In mid-career he completed an MBA at Warwick Business School and became co-owner of a family engineering business; a manufacturer of bolts brackets and distributor of industrial fastenings. As Managing Director Ben’s principle focus was finance and operations.  That business was recently acquired by a larger industrial group.

Ben is the Foundation’s ‘Finance and Audit’ trustee.

Sonia Roberts is CEO of supported employment and training charity Landau, who work with disadvantaged people to help remove their barriers to employment. In recognition of its work the organisation was awarded the Queens Award for Enterprise in 2021. As one of the region’s highest-profile businesswomen Sonia was appointed Chairman of the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership. The LEP brings together the business community, the public sector and academia to drive economic growth across Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin, and has invested £196million in the region over the last decade.

Sonia worked in fashion and design with Laura Ashley as Director of Planning, Design and Buying for the global garment range, before moving to the role as Director of Planning and Design Franchise which involved the responsibility for all overseas markets comprising of 500 stores across Australasian, Europe, Far East, Middle East, South America and North America

.Johnny is an experienced entrepreneur having worked in senior high growth corporate roles as well as starting, growing and selling his own business. Since 2007, Johnny has owned and grown Good2Great which has helped thousands of businesses in Shropshire to start and grow. The company is built on an ethos of promoting opportunities across the Shropshire community to enrich local economies.

He has also launched a new community interest company, Good4Good which exists to support those who do not have access to training or mentors needed to gain the knowledge and confidence to launch their own enterprise.

Having spent his whole life in Shropshire, Johnny is committed to helping the business community to successfully engage with those in the Shropshire community in need of support so we can work as a team to enhance Shropshire’s reputation as one of the best places in the UK to live and do business.

Graham was born into a large Shropshire farming family and followed a career in engineering.
In the 1980s Graham was appointed a Magistrate for Shropshire serving on the Telford bench.

In the 1990s, Graham and his wife, Jenny, founded Telford based TTC Group, the largest driver education and retraining organisation in the UK. Graham also served on the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety. In 2006, he was awarded the OBE for services to Road Safety.

In 2011 Graham joined the board of Marches Local Enterprise Partnership serving Shropshire, Herefordshire and Telford &Wrekin; he was appointed Chairman in 2013.

Graham was a founding member of Telford Business Partnership, and former Chair of Telford Business Board and various growth companies in Telford.

In 2016, Graham’s work with Business and Entrepreneurship regionally and nationally was recognised by the University of Wolverhampton and he was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Business Administration.

More recently, Mr and Mrs Wynn have created the Wynn Foundation, a charity to support community needs and create opportunities for groups and individuals across Shropshire and support them to prosper.

Currently, Graham Chairs the Telford Town Deal Board and the UKSF Board for Telford; securing Government growth funds to bring major projects forward, to secure the future growth and development of Telford.

Other interests include competing in motor sport. Also supports Shropshire Army Cadet Force Trust, Midlands Air Ambulance ad RAF Museums in both London and the Midlands.

Brian Welti JP was declared the new High Sheriff of Shropshire for 2024-25 on Friday 5 April, at the Shrewsbury Crown Court, Shropshire.

Brian’s focus for his Shrieval Year is to support RABI (Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution). As Brian explains “I want to do all I can to help The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution. Shropshire is a very rural and agricultural county and because of my own interest in farming, I want to emphasise the work they do and raise awareness of the issues faced by the farming and rural communities which are often hidden or misunderstood”.

Brian is also supporting Shropshire Community Foundation, Crimebeat and the Firefighters Charity, due to his links with the emergency services.

Rhoddy Swire, the founder of global fund of funds Pantheon Ventures LLP, one of the pre-eminent private equity fund-of-funds in the world, with over £80 billion under management worldwide.  In 1981 Rhoddy joined GT Management to oversee and manage unquoted investments and subsequently led the buyout from GT Management Ltd to form Pantheon. Previously, he was an executive of John Swire & Sons Limited, working in Hong Kong, Sydney and London. He holds a BSc in Engineering and Economics from Birmingham University and is a qualified Chartered Accountant.  He has now stepped back from Pantheon, but has various other business interests, trustee roles including former Chairman of Hereford Cathedral Perpetual Trust and Abberley Hall School. He is a Deputy Lieutenant and a Former High Sheriff of Shropshire.

Frank Bury, experienced founder with 18 years experience in the venture capital and private equity industry and 12 years prior to that working in capital markets. Skilled in corporate development, mergers & acquisitions (M&A), corporate finance, valuation, and foreign languages. Strong business development professional, graduated from IESE Business School, Barcelona (MBA 2004).

Jonathan Evans graduated in economics and joined the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank in 1989. He pursued his career in global financial markets with HSBC until 2016, when he returned home to Herefordshire to take over the management of family farming and property interests. He was appointed Mappa Mundi Trustee with responsibility for oversight of the Trust’s investments in 2017; and is currently a member of the cathedral’s Finance and Risk Committee in the capacity of investment brief. He has similar investment responsibilities as a trustee of the Foundation of Ludlow College, and mentors medically discharged military veterans through the Supporting Wounded Veterans charity. In 2022, he was appointed to the board of governors at Moor Park school, where he will chair the Finance Committee.

Emma grew up in Shropshire and returned to live in the County in 2002.  Having worked in the Charity sector in both fundraising and project management positions, in 2016 she started her own consultancy business to support local charities.  Focusing on anything to do with income generation Emma works with a small number of Shropshire based not-for-profit organisations.

At the start of 2023 Emma moved to live in Singapore with her husband but is still maintaining a small part of her paid work, and voluntary work supporting the Shropshire not-for-profit sector.

Victoria is a Charity Consultant (VHM Consultancy) based in Shropshire, supporting charities through the set-up process and with governance, development, mentoring, and training.

After graduating from the University of St. Andrews with a master’s degree, Victoria began her career in the charity sector in fundraising, at Barnardo’s, in 2007. She has since worked in a freelance and employed capacity for local, national, and international charities, including as CEO of The Movement Centre, based in Oswestry.

In 2019 Victoria co-founded the Shropshire Charity Network, which delivers virtual and in-person bi-monthly meetings for people in Shropshire working within the charity sector.  She returned to full time consultancy work in 2020, supporting charities from across the UK to reduce risk and increase their impact.

We couldn’t do what we do without the support of our wonderful team of volunteers. We truly believe “volunteers don’t get paid not because they are worthless but because they are priceless” (Sherry Anderson)