Gosbert Chagula is an entrepreneur, investor and ecosystem builder dedicated to helping businesses start, grow and thrive. Over the past 15 years, he has worked alongside founders across the UK, Africa and beyond, designing accelerators, mentoring early-stage teams and building partnerships that unlock real opportunities for ambitious entrepreneurs.

He is the Founder of Startup Discovery, an innovation platform supporting diverse founders to turn bold ideas into scalable ventures, and a Managing Partner at Future Impact Ventures, a venture capital fund backing businesses driving inclusive growth and a just transition to a net zero economy.

Gosbert is especially passionate about ensuring that overlooked founders, those with talent, grit and vision but less access to networks and capital, get a fair shot at building transformative businesses. As a judge, he brings both operator empathy and investor insight, championing practical ambition, resilient leadership and the kind of ideas that make a genuine difference.

Imali Chislett is the Co-Founder of Inkfire, a disabled-led digital collaboration built by and for disabled people. With a background in graphic design and marketing, she specialises in creating accessible, inclusive online spaces.

Under her leadership, Inkfire has grown into a nationally recognised organisation employing a fully disabled core team, all paid a guaranteed living wage. The agency supports charities, social enterprises, and purpose-driven businesses through accessible web design, marketing, IT infrastructure, and digital systems that embed accessibility as standard rather than an afterthought.

Driven by lived experience and a commitment to equity, Imali is passionate about breaking down barriers to employment and digital access. Through her work, she is redefining what inclusive, commercially strong business looks like in practice and changing the narrative surrounding attaining to careers with a disability.

Andrew Goodacre has been the CEO of Bira since 2018 and is passionate about working with the high street and supporting small businesses.

Mr Goodacre has a strong background in retail and hospitality, and since taking up the role, has been integral in pushing forward independent retailers and showcasing their importance of them being at the very heart of every good high street throughout the UK and a vital part of life and the economy within local communities.

Irene Graham OBE is the founding CEO and a board director of the ScaleUp Institute, a private sector, not-for-profit company focused on making the UK the best place in the world to scale up a business.

Irene is a former senior banker at Standard Chartered where she held both European and global managing director roles. She set up, ran and scaled several of the bank's key client and product businesses across its corporate and institutional bank and led several global M&A activities. Working internationally across Europe, the Americas, Middle East and Asia, living in Singapore for a period of time.

During the height of the financial crisis was seconded to work across the banking industry where she led the Business Finance Taskforce and Better Business Finance which was responsible for, amongst other initiatives, the founding of the Business Growth Fund, SME Finance Monitor, and leading on developments in Open Banking, and the Small Business Act.

Irene is a Visiting Professor of Entrepreneurship at Strathclyde University and holds a variety of non executive director and advisory roles across the creative, business and finance communities. This has included participating in the Fintech Strategy review; the Life Sciences Scaleup Taskforce; Creative Industry Councils and sitting on Canada's National Research Industrial Advisory Council.

Kate Hayward is the UK Managing Director of Xero, championing the success of 1.2 million small business customers. She is a dedicated advocate for the small business community, using Xero's platform to redefine how UK SMEs operate. Her primary mission is to spearhead an AI-powered shift to eliminate hours of administrative burden, giving business owners more time to focus on growth.

A passionate voice for entrepreneurs and underserved groups, Kate addresses critical issues such as the digital divide and the need for enhanced financial literacy. She is committed to giving small business owners a stronger voice in government and industry discussions, with Xero positioned as a key enabler of digital transformation for 1 in 5 small firms across the UK.

Becky Henry is the Vice President of eTrade at Intact Insurance, where she supports small and medium-sized enterprises by delivering commercial insurance solutions that help businesses manage risk and grow with confidence.

Becky has spent 27 years with Intact (formerly RSA), building extensive experience across the insurance sector and developing a strong understanding of the evolving needs of SME customers.

Throughout her career, Becky has held various leadership and customer focused roles spanning underwriting, claims, data/strategy and HR. This broad experience has given her a holistic view of the insurance landscape and the operational challenges and opportunities faced by businesses today.

Passionate about supporting entrepreneurship and innovation, Becky is committed to helping SMEs thrive and recognises the important role small businesses play in driving economic growth and strengthening communities.

Kerensa is an award-winning tech leader and bestselling fiction author who helps business leaders navigate change in an AI world. She spent the first two decades of her career as a TV producer, before qualifying as an executive coach, and working for a few years as CEO of a social enterprise at Buckingham Palace.

Previously the BBC's Head of Strategic Delivery, these days Kerensa balances a portfolio life including writing, coaching, NED positions in the charitable and private sectors; and co-hosting special AI series of The Tech Leaders podcast. Kerensa has spent more than a decade helping small businesses unlock their potential and is CEO of Inglenook Global Ltd.

Beth Knight is a leading figure in social impact and sustainability. With over 15 years of experience in leadership roles at major companies including Lloyds Banking Group, Amazon, and EY. Beth also holds non-executive positions with the British Tourism Authority and Save the Children and is a Senior Associate at the University of Cambridge Institute of Sustainability Leadership.

Beth's expertise extends to sustainability standards with advisory roles on GRI, CSRD, and TISFD working groups. She has also played a crucial role in increasing diversity within the sustainability sector by launching a UK apprenticeship program. Recognized for her contributions, Beth was named the Great British Businesswoman of the Year in 2022/23. Her work during the COVID-19 pandemic and humanitarian aid response to the war in Ukraine has further solidified her reputation as an innovator in social impact.

Marsha Powell is the Co-Founder and CEO of BelEve, a London-based charity supporting girls and young women aged 8–22 to navigate life's most important transitions with confidence, clarity and courage.

She founded BelEve in 2012 alongside her two sisters, not with a grand strategy or large funding pot, but with a deep conviction that girls deserved consistent support at the moments that shape their futures. What began as a grassroots initiative has grown into an organisation that has supported more than 30,000 girls across schools and communities.

Marsha understands the realities of building a small charity – stretching resources, wearing multiple hats, and holding vision through uncertainty. Her early career in finance gave her a practical understanding of sustainability and governance, but it is lived experience that drives her leadership. The loss of her mother at 52 became the catalyst for creating spaces where girls feel seen, safe and believed in.

Under her leadership, BelEve is evolving beyond individual programmes to influence how schools, employers and communities think about readiness, mentorship and opportunity. Her belief is simple: inspiration is powerful, but preparation changes trajectories.

Marsha leads with both heart and discipline, combining care with accountability. She is passionate about helping young women move from potential to possibility – and about supporting small organisations to grow without losing the purpose that started them.

She believes every girl deserves someone who believes in her early and every founder deserves the courage to build something that lasts.

As Chief Marketing Officer, Michele Rousseau is responsible for brand, creative, customer acquisition and retention.

She joined Starling in 2024 from Expedia Group, where she built a global creative marketing team that supported the growth of the company's suite of travel apps.

Prior to this, she spent more than a decade at Apple, both in Europe and California, leading hardware brand marketing and as Managing Director for the services marketing organisation which launched Apple Music, Apple News, Apple Arcade and Apple TV+.

Chris Sims is Chief Commercial Officer for BT Business, helping the full breadth of UK businesses connect and digitise. Prior to that he ran BT's Small and Medium business division and continues to play an active role supporting these customers.

His career boasts a wealth of experience, spanning the mobile industry and traversing the globe, where he honed his expertise with industry leaders like EE and Orange.

Beyond his leadership role, Chris actively invests in the future by serving as a passionate coach and mentor for BT's next generation of leaders through the early careers programme. He recognises the importance of mental well-being, championing its awareness within the organisation.

Chris' dedication extends beyond the immediate sphere, as he serves as a vocal advocate and active ally for the broader small business community - supporting disabled entrepreneurs, and minority-led businesses. Ensuring their voices are heard and needs are met.

Mike Soutar is an entrepreneur, advisor and non-executive director who co-founded and served as CEO of Shortlist Media, growing it from a start-up into a multi-million-pound content publisher. He has held senior leadership roles across some of the UK's most influential media brands, including Kiss FM and the Evening Standard.

Mike is widely known for his role as one of Lord Sugar's interviewers on BBC One's The Apprentice, where his direct and uncompromising approach make him a familiar face to millions of viewers. Drawing on experience across multiple sectors, Mike speaks regularly at conferences and leadership events. He serves on the UK government's Board of Trade, and is a non-executive director of Scottish Rugby Union and a trustee of V&A Dundee.

Mike's book, Next Gen CEO, will be published by Pan Macmillan in June 2026.

Nick Stace OBE leads Howden's ambition to create commercially led, social and environmental change worldwide.

He brings extensive leadership experience across finance, consumer advocacy, and the nonprofit sector, having previously served as Head of Social Purpose and Sustainable Finance for Barclays UK and as Global Head of Sustainability Engagement. He has also been CEO of The Prince's Trust and CEO of Saga Travel, and spent 15 years leading major consumer organisations in the UK and Australia, including Which? and Choice.

Nick's public service includes board roles at the Financial Conduct Authority, the Payment Systems Regulator and the National Trust, along with founding three charities supporting young people. He has also worked in the Prime Minister's Office, bringing government level insight to his cross-sector leadership.

He currently serves as Chair of The Prison Reform Trust and The Conduit, and advises Rewired Earth and the UK Department for Business and Trade's Strategic Advisory Group on Ukraine.

Joseph Williams is the LGBTQ and disabled Co-Founder & CEO of AI company Clu. A former Activist in Residence at Kings College, he has spent the last 20 years campaigning for social and economic inclusion. He is a cited expert on the future of work, and the skills economy with specialism in developing technology and services that promote inclusive economic growth.

Professor Tom Williamson is Assistant Principal of ARU Peterborough, leading the Faculty of Business, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and the Faculty of Creative and Digital Arts and Sciences, and is a Professor of Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

As a practitioner, Tom has previously sat on, and Chaired, the Board of EEUK and is formerly a management board member of the Small Business Charter. He is a small business owner and has been involved in many startups further highlighting his interest and commitment in the enhancement of Education by closely engaging with Industry and Entrepreneurs.

Tom was an active member of the Steering Board for The Lilac Review, an independent government backed review, tackling the inequality faced by Disabled founders and aiming to level-up entrepreneurial opportunity across the UK. This work continues with the formation of the Lilac Centre, and his board membership of the follow-on government backed programme exploring economic deprivation and entrepreneurship - the Maple Review.