Speakers and Panellists – Inspiring Inclusion

Sarah Blackwell

Business Support Director at PCE Ltd

Since joining the company 6 years ago, Sarah’s remit has included leading IT, Systems, HR and Quality. She is now leading digital transformation across the business, through a team of systems developers and data analysts.

Sarah’s passion for innovation, continuous improvement and change through people, has enabled PCE to become pioneering in its approach to digital and she was instrumental in the acquisition and development of Ynomia, a real-time component tracking system, where she now sits on the Board.

Prior to joining PCE Sarah was a professional headhunter for 10 years and was Managing Director of a leading Executive Search firm in the Midlands.

Sarah is the winner of The Women’s Awards Inspirational Female Leader 2023 – West Midlands and joint winner of Outstanding Woman in STEM.

Toni Robinson

Founding Director of NucleusHR Ltd.

Leaving school as a professional athlete, Toni’s sporting career was cut short as a result of injury, however, the skills and behaviours that were adopted from her first life, certainly become an asset in her business journey. Toni is a commercial HR professional who is able to take business objectives and integrate with a solid HR strategy ensuring that businesses have a greater chance of achieving their goals.

As a trained litigator, Toni specialises in complicated Employee Relations challenges and is able to focus on the desired outcome whilst balancing the business risk.

For over 20 years Toni has been devising business solutions for clients, the last 6 at her own Company NucleusHR Ltd.
NucleusHR was the sponsor of the Outstanding Senior Female Executive 2023.

David Major

Director of Creative Direction.

Partner and Headline Sponsor of The Women’s Awards and Shine Together CIC.

Creative Direction are a carefully selected team of passionate and motivated graphic and web designers based in Leicester, Creative Direction offer dynamic solutions for branding/logos, brochure design, packaging, website design, marketing, pr, and social media Creative Direction was founded in London in 1990 and has since opened offices in Cornwall and Leicester, servicing clients across the UK. We are an independent, integrated and imaginative agency working in corporate identity/branding, design for print, packaging, social media/pr and web/digital design.

Bhumika Parmer

Founder and Director of BP Legal Solicitors.

Establishing the firm in 2009, through her hard work and determination, Bhumika has earned herself a remarkable reputation as a leading, forward-thinking solicitor in Leicester.

Bhumika has a number of achievements that have helped to build her reputation. She has over 24 years of experience in conveyancing and commercial property matters, deals with Matrimonial matters and has led high profile cases regarding immigration matters with worldwide media coverage, and sets an example for trainee solicitors as one of her Litigated cases brought to the High Court is now a leading precedent used by training establishments.

In 2022 Bhumika continued to go from strength to strength by acquiring Solicitors4Landlords, Winner of the Women’s Awards – East Midland’s Outstanding Female Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2023, and in November 2023 was inaugurated as the President of Leicestershire Law Society.

Ian Caldwell

Chief Executive of Menphys.

Ian has lived in Leicestershire for over 25 years and is married with two sons.
A Chartered Engineer, he held senior commercial and operational roles in the manufacturing and logistics sectors for multi-national and SME organisations prior to taking up the role of CEO with Menphys in November 2018.

Away from work Ian is a keen sports fan and will often be found enjoying his season ticket at Leicester Tigers or watching his local rugby team, Syston RFC. He is also a keen cook and baker well known amongst his friends and family for his bread, pasties, pies, and curries.

He is passionate about the local community believing everyone needs a helping hand from time to time and deserves the chance to shine. He has been involved in a number of significant fundraising initiatives over the past 15 years, including projects for a women’s refuge, the air ambulance, Loros and Syston RFC.

Martin Heatlie 

Group CEO for the Smith Brothers Group.

He was recruited by this family business to drive commercial growth and develop its stakeholder engagement. The group employs almost 600 people across a range of locations working in engineering and distribution.

With 20+ years working at a senior level within finance Martin has worked across a broad range of businesses from student unions to a multi-billion global telecoms company, an acquisitive national insurance broker, a UK holiday operator, and a family run retail business.

More important than any of this of course – he has two and three-quarter cats, three dogs, four children, and a wife who means the world to him.

Leanne Bonner-Cooke MBE

Co-Founder of Shine Together CIC, and Founder of LBC Mentoring Ltd

Leanne I was awarded MBE for Services to Women in Business and Technology in 2018. 

As a multi award winning serial entrepreneur, Leanne has worked in the corporate world and start-ups, leading innovation and growth. 

LBC is about Leading Businesses Consciously. What that translates to is my belief that people and our teams are at the core of success. Now after 35 years of gaining a range of skills, experiences and knowledge, I want to use that to mentor and coach you.  I support business leaders like you to collaborate and communicate effectively to deliver results. 

Sandra Pollock OBE

Co-Founder of Shine Together CIC; Founder of Open Mind Training & Development Ltd, The Women’s Awards.

Sandra is a serial entrepreneur: Founder and Director of Open Mind Training and Development Ltd, a leadership, Diversity and Inclusion Consultant. She is also the founder of Inspiring You CIC, SHINE Together CIC, and the Women’s Awards. She’s also a Motivational Speaker, a Reiki Master Practitioner, a Freelance Radio Presenter, Author and Poet.

Sandra was awarded an OBE for Services to Equality in 2021.