Cornwall & Devon Peninsula Connect

Ahmed is the first Director of the Great South West – a business led partnership covering Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, and Somerset focused on driving investment into the region and promoting the world class potential of the industries, technologies, businesses, and workforce located in the south west of England.

He has worked extensively at national and regional level in public policy and economic development having held senior roles with KPMG, AECOM and, most recently, as UK Director for Regions & Clusters at the CBI.

Anna is a macroeconomics and policy professional, and was most recently Deputy Chief Economist at the CBI. She brings a wealth of experience in macroeconomic and business survey analysis, as well as policy analysis and strategic planning. Anna previously worked in the Government Economic Service in various roles at the Department for Work and Pensions and HM Treasury.

Craig Fearn wants to change the way we think about wellbeing right down to the words we use and the gestures we make to encourage a mindset shift across businesses.

As a Wellbeing Ambassador for the Institute of Directors, Craig is leading this change across the UK by empowering organisations of all sizes, across all sectors to create workplaces with a positive wellbeing culture.

Craig understands the foundations of sustainable wellbeing and his strategies, tools and workshops deliver results that empower teams to rethink their wellbeing, and what is sustainable for them at work and in life.

Beyond his corporate work, Craig also provides NED and advisory services and is the Chief Advisor of Book of Beasties, a wellbeing game for families and schools. Craig believes we all deserve to live free of mental wellbeing struggles and champions a whole-self approach to managing stress, anxiety and burnout.

Dean Bennett is the Managing Director of China Fleet Country Club, a premier leisure and golf destination in Cornwall. With extensive experience in hospitality and club management, Dean has been pivotal in enhancing the club’s facilities and services. His leadership has driven significant growth and customer satisfaction, making China Fleet Country Club a top choice for both locals and visitors. Dean’s commitment to excellence and innovation ensures a memorable experience for all members and guests.

With 25 years’ experience across governance, risk and assurance roles, Michael is passionate about supporting Boards and Audit Committees to embed effective risk management and internal control systems that transform their business.

Following a decade in client-facing teams at KPMG and Deloitte, Michael moved to work in global roles across FTSE 250 and FTSE 100 constituents and in support of IPOs. A lead examiner for the Institute of Risk Management, he has successfully designed and embedded risk management and control frameworks for over thirty companies in a range of sectors.

A former regulated FTSE 30 Head of Risk, Sustainability and Compliance, Michael gained valuable experience embedding a leading enterprise risk and control programme. He replicated this across a number of other organisations.

Michael is passionate about linking strategy to risks and responses to provide directors with the confidence they need to seize opportunity and drive growth.