Meet the SBA Team

Rupert Cox

Business Advisor & SBA Board Member

Rupert has a wealth of small business experience. Following an early career farming he has led membership-based business organisations where an empathy and support for members' businesses was of paramount importance.

As well as agriculture, Rupert has worked in the events, tourism, commercial property and marketing sectors giving him a well-rounded view of business and in particular the support that fledgling businesses require. 

Sue Higgins

Training Manager

Sue has a background in event management and business support. She heads up the newly launched Training Hub and co-ordinates the Business Start Up Programmes. She also runs her own cake making business, and enjoys travelling, cycling and spending time with her family.

Tracey Longhurst

Business Advisor & SBA Board Member

Tracey started her career in the legal profession and then moved over to practice as an HR professional, where she worked in the corporate sphere for 25 years in both pharmaceutical and tech companies developing senior leaders and their teams.  

She is passionate about entrepreneurship and strives to continue to mentor those starting out on their journey as business owners.

Natasha Margetts

Project Administrator

Having worked in hospitality for 17 years, this is Natasha's first administration role. She is thoroughly enjoying giving support to a variety of projects that enable people to realise and achieve their self-employment goals. When not at work, she can often be found spending time with friends and family, walking her dog or enjoying a round of golf. 

Mike McEvoy

Business Advisor

Mike started his career in large Public Limited Companies, working in all areas of Business, following this he became Director in a number of SME Companies followed by completing a ‘Management Buy-Out’. 

After successfully selling the Business Mike started his own Company as a Business Advisor/Consultant and has worked in a vast array of business sectors assisting individuals, SME’s and Private Equity Stakeholders.  

Clare Paul

Business Development Advisor

Clare’s background is in retail & hospitality management where she specialised in turning around unprofitable businesses. She then became a small business owner/entrepreneur herself and owned a successful public house, a retail butcher and a high street cafe.

The particular skills that Clare brings to the SBA are her expertise in business analysis and planning. Clare is experienced in digital media marketing, lead generation and small business finance.

Gemma Sparks

Business Advisor

Gemma is a Land Agent and Chartered Surveyor with a wealth of experience in the rural sector. For a number of years, she has helped farmers and land owners with business advice and assistance with seeking grants.

Gemma also has experience in the events, rural tourism and business membership organisations sectors, alongside first hand experience of running a business, making her well placed to provide support to many rural businesses. 

Amanda Whitlock

Project Lead

Amanda is an experienced Wellbeing and Mental Health trainer and consultant.

Accredited by Mental Health First Aid England, she provides both MHFA-Accredited and bespoke training, she also helps business owners and managers looking to provide the correct support for employees and provides online and face to face courses to enable every workplace to provide the right work environment.