 Contacts in your region |
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Members: Click here to complete the 2008 Careers Survey
The Association of MBAs has a network of regional committees representing the interests of members across the regions of the UK. The regional committees organise a programme of MBA events including seminars, workshops and networking receptions.
If you would like to get involved in organising events in your region, please email Tricia Cox or call her on +44 (0)20 7246 2654.
Position Vacant
Region: North West
The position of chairman in the North West region is currently vacant. If you would like further information on becoming involved as chairman or a committee member, please contact Tricia Cox, regional Events Co-ordinator at t.cox@mbaworld.com or Steve Gorton, 'Chair of Chairs' at sgorton@enablingdevelopment.com
David Rose
Region: London & South East
 As regional chair, David's aim is to provide one of the best networks for 'insights, inspiration and friendly contacts', for MBAs at all stages in their careers. He has been active in the Association since graduating from London Business School in 1973 and involved in most of its strategic developments as a committee and Board member.
David has worked as manager, consultant and non-executive director with metals, engineering, consumer and technology businesses in Europe and North America. His professional speciality is innovation, marketing and business development in technology based organisations, and he has helped bring many new business ventures to market.
Derek Cheshire
Region: South West
Email: derek.cheshire@openlink.org
OR derek@creative4business.co.uk
 Derek has spent over 20 years working in a technology development environment, mainly in consultancy, embedded computer systems and telecommunications. He enjoys working with and getting the best out of people.
Derek obtained his MBA from the Open University Business School and was recently appointed as an Associate Lecturer. He also tutors at Summer Residential schools.
Whilst studying for his MBA he became interested first in Creativity and then Knowledge Management and finally the combination of both in Innovation. As a result of this interest he set up his own consultancy, Creative Business Solutions, focusing on the 'application of imagination' to business. He is passionate about combining modern business thinking with alternative methods of idea generation and problem solving believing that 'out of the box' thinking does not exist, there simply should be no box to begin with.
In addition to his consultancy and training activities Derek delivers speeches and seminars at events and conferences on topics related to Creativity and Innovation.
When not encouraging businesses to embrace innovation and creative thinking, Derek likes nothing more than a good book or film and to be sampling a Single Malt Whisky.
Katie Porkess
Region: West Country
 With a background in Mathematics and Computing, I worked my way up the IT ladder with different organisations in the manufacturing sector. I finished my MBA with the Open University Business School in 1994.
Since then, I have been working as an independent management consultant specialising in internal change, in both the public and the private sectors. In 1999, I set up my own company K.P. Management Solutions Ltd. There are two strands to my work. The majority of it is in facilitating and implementing process improvement projects.
However, change programmes frequently put staff under pressure, and so I include its management as a complementary service. I run workshops in the management of Pressure, and Individual and Team Performance. The stress workshop has been featured on ITV Carlton. I took on the new Chair of the West Country in January and am enjoying the experience, particularly meeting new people. I look forward to making this a vibrant region for the Association.
Steve Gorton
Region: Yorkshire
 Steve's MBA is from the Open University Business School in 1995. He teaches MBA modules in Marketing, Managing Knowledge and Strategy.
In real life Steve is primarily a business coach, helping people achieve more than they previously thought possible and adding value for themselves, their team and their organisation. His company, Enabling Development, specialises in Executive Coaching; Leadership Development; Strategy and Change Implementation Consultancy; and Managing Knowledge for Enhanced Performance. Previously, Steve spent 20 years in the pharmaceutical industry.
Steve is the current ‘Chair of Chairs’.
Tim Instone
Region: East
 I discovered the (then) Business Graduates’ Association in 1980 when choosing a business school (INSEAD got my business), benefited from the loan scheme at a time of high interest rates, have been a member since 1983, joined the East committee soon afterwards (I think by failing to look intently enough at my knees when volunteers were being sought) and have been regional chairman for several years and a member of the IT/web site working group.
My main interests at the Association of MBAs are the enhancement of member benefits, and regional events. In Eastern Region we enjoy the Cambridge Effect, with a good supply of excellent speakers and congenial venues; the survivors of our events seem to enjoy them.
In real life I’m a business consultant specialising in foreign trade (exports – back office, administration structures and methods, communications, information and data flows, training, specialist software, marketing methodology), am involved in a manufacturing project in the U.S. and a publishing venture for 2008.
Graeme Dixon
Region: Midlands Region
Originating from Carlisle, Graeme has 2 years of professional search & selection experience at all levels and 8 years within military intelligence. During his time around the world, Graeme studied his degree and then his MBA with the Open University Business School.
Working for large corporates such as Vedior at a senior level, looking after blue chip companies and the strategic direction of two Vedior companies, Graeme moved into search and selection.
Graeme is the founding member & driving force behind a passionate search and selection company – blusource. They firmly believe industry needs something different.
With experience, trained analytic minds, a dislike of typical recruitment consultants and a desire to make a difference, they are always looking to create a better recruitment model.
Chris Russell
Region: Thames Valley
 In his daily life he works in satellite and broadcast communications through his own consultancy company, which guides clients in business and organizational development. Customers include companies in technology development, satellite operations, ground service providers, and public funding agencies.In the broadest sense, they work with clients to build or restore the entrepreneurial spirit of innovation to the process of creating value.
He received his MBA from the Open University in 1994 and he has been connected with the Association of MBAs since 2002. In his own words, the Thames Valley region has an excellent committee who devise and put on events, but they are always on the lookout for help from others, so he encourages members to contact him through the website.
Janan Sulaiman
Region: Scotland
 Janan received his MBA from Strathclyde Graduate Business School in 1992. He has a business and executive development consultancy “Gener8 Limited”. His consultancy has over 10 years of experience in developing "Next Generation Business Leadership" and “Creativity & Futurist” activities. He has worked in the private, public and international sectors and in the civil service.
He develops and delivers a number of business school MBA course electives, particularly in the areas of “innovation and creativity, business modelling and lean concepts”, to a number of European business schools, under “Gener8academy.com”.
His clientele is comprised of public and corporate organisations, including the NHS, business schools, and the banking sector, such as RBS. On top of being the Chair of the Association of MBAs in Scotland, he is a fellow of ICE, Chair of the school board of St John O’Gilvie, and past Chair and now Vice Chair of Princess Royal Trust, Renfrewshire.
Carol Groombridge
Region: North East
 After 28 years in banking, Carol made the decision to change careers but recognised that she needed to attain qualifications other than the ACIB to be able to move outside of the finance sector. Her MBA is from the Open University and was gained in 2002.
Carol then managed a recruitment agency, set up a credit union and was then a marketing and communications manager at Business Link. She has now established herself as a self employed business consultant working solely with private dental practices in the North East, something which she finds hugely satisfying particularly as no two days are the same. This gives her the opportunity to draw from all of her past experience as well as enabling her to bring out and use many of the ‘tools’ which the MBA provided her with.
Carol has been actively involved with the Association of MBAs for 5 years and is passionate about providing quality events for members and improving member participation in the North East.
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