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Jake Karia is the Chair of the Advisory Board and the Founder and Managing Director of the award-winning Food Attraction Ltd. He is one half of the Jake and Nayns’ duo, having developed their own Street Food range which can be found in a variety of retailers, airlines, railways and forecourts. Jake came to the UK from Africa in 1970 with his parents; he was raised and educated in Leicester and began his retail career as soon as he was able to at age sixteen. Retail quickly turned into management, and led to the founding of Food Attraction Ltd in 1996. Over the last two decades, he has developed and grown Food Attraction into a national food brand which is fast becoming a leader in food development.

Sally has been practising as a Family Law Barrister for 35 years at 2 New Street Chambers in Leicester. She was the first member of her family to go to university and decided on a career at the Bar from an early age. She is a member of Middle Temple and her practise is Midlands based and beyond.

Having been given wonderful opportunities at university and New Street, Sally is passionate about sharing her career experiences, and hopefully inspiring students and helping »ÆÉ«²Ö¿â where she can.

Sally partakes in a variety of voluntary activities, including being a Trustee of the local charity Alex’s Wish, which fundraises to raise awareness about Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. She also raises vital funds to help bring new treatments and find a cure. Sally is married to Steven Gasztowicz KC and has two children.

CEO at Cross Productions Ltd and a qualified professional business Coach and marketing Expert, Jenny specialises in creating marketing strategies to support businesses within the B2B industry. Offering one-off consultancy through to fully outsourced marketing solutions, as well as event services, Cross creates solutions to suit any company requirements.

With more than twenty years of working in sales and marketing, Jenny is passionate about educating others within the sector. As a significant business professional in Leicester, Jenny is popularly recognised for her tenacity, innovative business approach, and positive can-do attitude. Jenny is incredibly hands-on within the community, exerting her expertise to enhance local projects, supporting charities, and connecting organisations across the region. Jenny’s innovative thinking pays off as she leads her own successful marketing business that has grown exponentially over the years. Single-handedly, Jenny created a business community that became loyal to both Cross Productions and Niche Magazine’s products and events in no more than eighteen months. Working with start-up companies through to global household brands, Jenny helps to build strategic marketing campaigns that support the business’ plans for growth.

Bhavin is a Director and Co-Owner of Paradigm Wills and Legal Services, specialising in will writing, trust planning, lasting power of attorneys and probate/estate administration. The firm’s head office is in Leicester, with additional offices in Central London and Northamptonshire servicing clients within the UK as well as international clients based in Europe, Asia, North America and Australia.

With a background in customer services, sales, management and compliance, Bhavin joined the firm in its infancy after working for a large corporate firm within the wills & estate planning industry. Bhavin’s experience has allowed him to steer the business to being recognised as one of the finest within both Leicestershire and the wider industry.

A key element of Bhavin’s role was to grow the firm and brand image by maintaining excellent service standards. This firm success was rewarded by the company winning awards in Excellence in Customer Service at the Signature Awards in Central London in September 2022 and at the East Midlands Chambers Awards in November 2022. Outside of work Bhavin loves spending time with his family, travelling and supporting Arsenal F.C.

Ashiedu Joel (PhD) is an experienced Consultant, Non-executive Director, Coach, Trustee, Community Advocate and a Justice of the Peace, with over a decades’ experience of supporting organisations, groups and individuals to engage and dialogue constructively across racial, cultural and socio-environmental settings, promoting opportunities for collaboration. She is the founder of Ashioma Consults a Diversity, Inclusive Leadership and Cultural Capital company. She is a Leadership Fellow at the Society of Leadership Fellows, Windsor Castle and has held several strategic advisory and governance appointments and is an award-winning practitioner and engagement strategist. 

Ashiedu has a deep commitment to improving the understanding of the benefits of cultural inclusion and integration, adaptation and diversity; and their impact on the development, growth and sustainability of communities at large with emphasis on Black and ethnic minority communities. As part of her other interests, Ashiedu is currently involved in local youth leadership initiatives aimed at talent acquisition and growth with emphasis on the corporate and entrepreneurial sectors. Ashiedu is a researcher and an Elected Council Member of Leicester City.

Guy is an entrepreneur with over fifteen years of experience developing space systems including orbital telescopes and planetary landers. He has won multiple awards for his work with NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

Alongside working and studying internationally, Guy holds a PhD in Complex Project Management, and was the winner of the Midlands Medici Prize and four Innovation Fellowships for technology transfer from the space sector into agribusiness, healthcare and security.

Guy now runs two small businesses; a landscaping company and a technology development consultancy. The landscaping company services commercial and private clients, and provides forest school and Green Social Prescribing activities for local councils and community groups. The technology consultancy works with groups in sectors such as aerospace, healthcare and defence to develop technologies. It is currently leading the development of a novel spacecraft thruster optimized for low earth orbit operations such as on-orbit repair and orbital debris removal.

Guy has secured significant funding for a variety of commercial, scientific and cultural projects and is an active researcher in the fields of green energy and environmental impact.

An Executive MBA Graduate from Leicester Castle Business School, Les is passionate about "all things" business. His main interests include socio-economic opportunities, performance management and the untapped potential of individuals, specifically focusing on the UK’s powerhouse of the third age.

Les’ main career spanned 30 years in the Gaming, Leisure and Hospitality sector, culminating as Group Executive Manager for the one-time FTSE 100 Greenalls Group. He also worked for the $3bn US Harbour Group on a US / UK Joint Venture and next-generation technologies.

Les has developed a portfolio career spanning small business consultancy, local government, politics and higher education. Now in his third term as the East Midlands Regional Chair for the Federation of Small Businesses, Les has been able to support SME businesses at local and national level. Delighted to be a Member of the Business and Law Advisory Board, Les is thrilled to be able to contribute to the design and development of the business, skills and jobs of the future.

Shahid Sheikh is an entrepreneur and Director at Clifton Packaging Group, predominantly supplying the FMCG food industry with a turnover of over £35 million.

Shahid has won a variety of awards and titles throughout his career; he was the first Asian Chairman of the Leicestershire IoD (Institute of Directors) and the first Asian to be appointed onto the Board of Directors in the history of Leicestershire County Cricket Club (2010/2013 and 2019/2021). He was also the first Asian to win Entrepreneur of the Year in 2008 at the Leicestershire Business Awards, and recognised with an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours in 2013 for his services to both businesses and charities.

Since then, Shahid has continued to be recognised, winning a Lifetime Achievement Award (2019) by the World Packaging Organisation (WPO). With further accolades in November 2019, Clifton won the Pkg Company of the Year at the prestigious UK Pkg awards.

Shahid’s has been involved with many charities over the years. These include: past Chairman of the Leicester 500 Round table and past Chairman of the Shahid Afridi foundation UK. Shahid is currently the Midlands Chapter Chairman of the British Asian Trust, and an Export Champion for the DiT (Department of Industry and Trade).

Shahid and has contributed much time and energy in supporting the business community where there has often been a historical lack of representation. He strives to continue breaking barriers and helping others to progress in their confidence and skills.

Zoheb is the CEO of Mosaic 1898, a local disability charity which provides life enriching care and support to thousands of adults and children in Leicestershire, and thousands more who are care providers and caregivers. The charity is one of the oldest in the city, serving its communities for over 125 years. 

Often seen to be dynamic and visionary, Zoheb excels in navigating complex business challenges and inspiring action through purpose-driven strategies, transformation, and a passion for organisational development. His leadership is marked by a deep commitment to social innovation, inclusivity, and empowering others.

Zoheb has been instrumental in driving impactful change and fostering sustainable growth in the social care sector against a backdrop of uncertainty in the most challenging of times. Zoheb’s pursuit for ‘a fairer society that believes that every person has inherent worth and is designed with everyone in mind’ makes him a respected thought leader and advocate for social good.

Beyond leading the charity, Zoheb has a rich background of experience in health, social care, and education in both the commercial and not-for-profit sector. He holds several advisory and governance roles, working closely with schools, trusts, academies, local authorities, and the NHS, where Zoheb demonstrates a strong dedication to playing his part in improving services for those that need them the most.

Bhumika Parmar is the founder and director of BP Legal Solicitors established in 2009, a leading law firm renowned for its client-centered approach and commitment to excellence. Recently, Bhumika expanded her entrepreneurial portfolio by acquiring another Law firm Solicitors4landlords, further cementing her reputation as a dynamic and strategic business leader.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Bhumika is deeply passionate about giving back to the community. Actively involved in several charitable organizations, she dedicates time and resources to making a positive impact on the lives of others. She is currently an Ambassador for Zinthiya Trust and recently appointed Trustee of the board. Bhumika is also a committed mentor, guiding students and young professionals while championing the importance of creating opportunities for the next generation.

With a wealth of business expertise, Bhumika has successfully diversified her ventures, including a thriving portfolio of property companies. Her entrepreneurial spirit, combined with a dedication to community upliftment, exemplifies her holistic approach to leadership and success.

Iain joined Mattioli Woods as Executive Risk Consultant in August 2018 and was instrumental in developing the Group Risk and Internal Audit functions. Following his move to Chief Operating Officer, Iain now oversees the day-to-day operations of the Group. As part of this, he played a key role in ensuring the Group remained fully operational throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

His previous roles in business consultancy and senior management have allowed Iain to bring an understanding of business functions and risk management to the Board. Iain has vast experience in people and change management, operational and process efficiency, data analysis and performance metrics, as well as strategic planning and project management.

Iain is a Director of Leicestershire Business Voice, which aims to provide a focal point where the experience and expertise of business people can be used for the benefit of the business and local community.

Outside of work, Iain enjoy climbing, which has allowed him to travel all around the world and see some amazing places. He also enjoys trips to the Peak District with his family and dog Rufus!

About Mattioli Woods plc

Mattioli Woods plc is one of the UK’s leading providers of wealth management and employee benefits services, advising over 11,000 clients with assets under management, administration and advice of over £15 billion. With offices throughout the UK, we provide trusted advice, high service standards and personalised delivery.

Steven Thai is the CEO of Ocean King Ltd, a national food distribution company with a 28-year history. A multi-award-winning entrepreneur, Steven’s journey is one of resilience, hard work, and strategic leadership. Born in Vietnam, he and his family fled persecution in 1979, arriving in the UK as refugees. From humble beginnings, his parents instilled a relentless work ethic, which led to the foundation of Ocean King Ltd in 1997. Built from the ground up with 17-hour workdays, seven days a week, the business has grown into a nationwide operation.

Beyond his commercial success, Steven is committed to education, governance, and social mobility. He served for six years as Chair of Finance on the Board of Governors at Sir John Moore CE Primary School, ensuring strong financial oversight and strategic direction. Now, as an Ambassador for Young Enterprise UK, he helps inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs, sharing his experience of overcoming adversity and building a business from nothing.

Steven brings his industrial perspective to the »ÆÉ«²Ö¿â Business & Law Advisory Board, offering insights into leadership, strategy, and real-world business challenge.