Biography

Stuart Baker is MD of Maritime UK Solent – the private sector led representative body for the Solent’s outstanding maritime sector. He is also an Executive Director at Solent Partners, leading work on economic strategy, skills, net zero, innovation, trade and investment, business support and sector development. Stuart is also an Executive Director at The Solent Cluster.

Register of Interest
Rich’s Register of Interest can be found here.

Biography
Rich joined the team in January 2023 as Digital Skills Partnership Manager as part of a Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport pan region collaboration across the Catalyst South region. His role brings together charities, schools, universities and tech companies to create awareness and support the Digital Skills gap agenda.

Before joining Solent Partners, Rich was Strategic Partnerships Manager for WSX Enterprise and held a variety of positions for the Dorset Growth Hub since its inception in 2014 covering roles such as Business Navigator, Marketing Manager and Digital Delivery Manager. Rich was also the lead bid writer for WSX Enterprise and responsible for their leading successful award winning bids in 2021/2022 and led an internal Digital Delivery Team developing resources and tools for the UK SME business support sector.

Rich also setup the Dorset Marketing Leaders Forum and has held board roles for the likes of Dorset Food & Drink CIC. Previous roles included Delivery Manager for Prospects creating and delivering training programmes for a government backed skills programme. Rich was in sales & marketing roles following his degree in Business & Marketing at Bristol Business School.

Register of Interest
Lloyd’s Register of Interest can be found here.

Register of Interest
Kate Cloud’s Register of Interest can be found here

Biography
Kate joined the team as Local Growth Programme Manager: Capital and Infrastructure in September 2018. Since that time Kate has managed Local Growth Deal, Getting Building Fund and other small funding pots. Along with the Delivery team, Kate has developed a robust monitoring and reporting process to ensure beneficiaries and Board members alike understand how projects are progressing, and our role as funders.

Kate spent 16 years in local authority economic development teams supporting businesses directly as well as providing a voice for businesses within Councils.

Kate has a degree in Geography and Rural Planning from the University of Gloucestershire, and is a Member of the Institute of Economic Development. She has lived in Hampshire for much of her life and enjoys spending leisure time in the Solent region with her young family.

Register of Interest
You can view Zoe’s Register of Interest here.

Biography
Zoë joined the team in March 2023 to provide a focal point for The Solent Cluster activity and help drive the vision for the Solent to become a leading centre for low carbon investment.

Zoë has extensive experience in climate change mitigation and sustainability projects in the heritage and conservation sector and is driven to make a difference for communities and the planet. In previous roles, Zoë developed, executed and led funding plans for sustainable projects, engaged and influenced various stakeholders, and represented high profile organisations across broadcast and live events.

Biography
Eva joined the team in February 2022, as Marketing Communications Support.

Eva has a background in fashion, higher education and sustainability. She graduated Fashion and Textiles with Enterprise from the University of Portsmouth in 2011.

Since graduating, Eva has had various support roles including Lead Fashion Technical Support at the University of Portsmouth and Digital Customer Experience Support for Portsmouth City Council. Prior to joining the team, Eva was a self-employed designer.

Her varied experience has given her many skills, which she uses in her current role as part of the Communications Team.

Register of Interest
James Ford’s Register of Interest can be found here.

Biography
James joined the team in April 2018 as Business Engagement and Growth Hub Manager, and was appointed Head of Enterprise and Skills in 2021. Before joining Solent Partners James was Business Development Manager at Southampton Football Club and was responsible for sourcing and activating new partnerships with both small and large employers. James’s Previous roles included Project Manager & Mobilisation Manager and Head of Apprenticeships and Employability, whereby James was responsible for the implementation of new contracts, Business engagement and operational delivery across numerous regions throughout England.

Prior to this James was a professional football player with AFC Bournemouth and Personal trainer, having set up and created his own business.

Register of Interest
Maz Garside’s Register of Interest can be found here.

Biography
Maz joined the team in January 2019 as the Marketing Communications Officer with the key aim of strengthening and developing stakeholder relations. With over 20 years’ experience in communications and stakeholder planning, Maz has worked in the social housing and higher education sectors. In her last role with Southampton City Council, she led on communications associated with air quality projects. Maz has a Masters in Communication & Language and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations.

Biography
Lauren joined the team as Corporate Governance and Compliance Manager in October 2019 and has over 16 years’ experience of working in compliance and governance roles in the private sector. Previous roles have included the development and implementation of policy frameworks, forward-looking regulatory radars, holistic Risk Management and the management of outsourcing and due diligence.

Lauren’s role assists in managing the organisation’s statutory and constitutional framework, via management of Solent Partners’ formal decision-making sub-panels and wider strategic advisory forums. She provides guidance and advice to panel and forum members, ensuring that all decisions are taken appropriately and support the transparency agenda for LEPs nationally.

Lauren lives on the Isle of Wight with a young family and is committed to the growth of the region.

Register of Interest
Chris Heath’s Register of Interest can be found here

Biography
Chris joined the team in April 2017 as Programme Officer responsible for European Funding.

Prior to joining Solent partners, Chris had worked for a number of years in the Civil Service at the Land Registry. His more recent roles involved working at a local law firm in the Portsmouth area as well as international and local law firms in London. As an Office Manager for a law firm in London Chris took a lead role in business development. Chris’s expertise lies in audits and compliance to ensure exacting legislative standards and scheme requirements, for example Law Society Quality Standards, Investors in People, are met whilst identifying areas and actions for improvement to improve business efficiency.

Chris has lived in the Solent area since 1989.

Chris took up the position of Local Growth Project Manager (Capital and Infrastructure) in October 2018

Register of Interest
Richard Jones’ Register of Interest can be found here

Biography
Richard was appointed Acting Chief Executive for the Solent Partners in August 2023. Having joined the organisation in 2011, with the board still in shadow form, he has held a number of roles within Solent Partners including Head of Policy, Communications and Partner Engagement, Assistant Director of Corporate Governance and Communications and Deputy Chief Executive.

Richard leads the Solent Partners’ operational delivery and is responsible for the overall investment programme, driving the development and transformation of the organisation in its ambition to create a dynamic, vibrant, inclusive and internationally competitive region.

Richard holds two degrees; a BA in Media and Sociology from the University of London and an MA in Political Communications from Cardiff University. With the exception of time spent away at University, Richard has lived in the Solent region his entire life.

Register of Interest

Becky’s register of interest an be viewed here.

Biography

Becky joined the team in 2019 after 3 years working with the Solent Growth Hub to assist SME’s in the region to access funding and support. Previous to this Becky has worked in Evaluation and monitoring, reconciliations within the financial services industry and has gained varied skills in customer service focused roles.

Becky moved to the area from Buckinghamshire to gain a BA hons in Photography from Solent University and has remained in the Solent area ever since.

Register of Interest
Jayne Sime’s Register of Interest can be found here.

Biography
Jayne joined the team in 2018 after 3 years working with the Solent Growth Hub to assist SME’s in the region to access funding and support. Previously, Jayne has held business development roles within both the publishing and recruitment industries.

Jayne holds a degree in English Literature and Philosophy from the University of Hertfordshire, and has gained valuable experience creating and running her own business.

As a team leader at Solent Partners, Jayne is experienced in the management and delivery of funded support programmes. Jayne works closely with organisations across the public and private sectors to ensure that the business support eco-system works effectively, efficiently and collaboratively.

Register of Interest
Nicky’s Register of Interest can be found here.

Biography
Nicky was appointed to the role of Senior Enterprise and Skills Executive in November 2020 prior to which she specialised in recruiting crew for the cruise industry.

Nicky also spent 8 years working with various training providers, supporting young people through apprenticeships and employability programmes. She has had various roles including an Apprenticeship assessor and an Apprenticeship and Employability manager where she managed a team of business development officers and a sales team to find apprenticeship placements and recruit candidates to fill the roles.

Prior to this Nicky was a Food and Beverage manager for both the Holiday Inn and Hilton brands and has had her own business in the hospitality industry.

Register of Interest
Alison’s Register of Interest can be found here.

Biography
Alison joined the team in March 2021 to lead the marketing and communications service, and to develop and implement the Solent Partners stakeholder engagement strategy. Alison brings experience from both the private and public sector, most recently in local government communications with over 15 years at Hampshire County Council where she led on strategic communications campaigns across a range of issues.

Register of Interest
Nicola Twiddy’s Register of Interest can be found here.

Biography
Nicola joined the team in February 2013, as Personal Assistant to Anne-Marie Mountifield, Chief Executive of the Solent LEP. In 2015 Nicola became the organisation’s Office Manager and PA to Anne-Marie Mountifield.

Prior to joining the team, Nicola held a number of roles in the Financial Service Industry, including supporting a team of Independent Financial Advisers and Regional Managers at The Royal Bank of Scotland for the previous 10 years. Nicola holds a degree in Business Studies.

Register of Interest
Lorna’s Register of Interest can be found here.

Biography
Lorna is Programme Manager at Maritime UK Solent, the industry-led body that champions the Solent’s world leading maritime cluster. Lorna’s primary responsibilities include the growth of the business network and stakeholder engagement. Prior to this appointment she led the Maritime UK national careers programme. Lorna has developed a large network of maritime sector leaders and is able to call on this to support work programmes. Lorna is adept at identifying opportunities to promote the sector and support maritime businesses.