The Team

Heather White is the CEO and founder of Smarter Networking Limited. She is a Networking and Personal Brand Expert and, for the last 18 years, has not only trained thousands on how to access the right people, she has personally connected hundreds of people together. Through these combined experiences Heather created Boardroom Ready to answer the frustration of senior executives seeking commercial boardroom experience. Her principal role is to find and match senior executives with boards across all sectors, offering networking coaching where relevant.

Ellie Doohan is an Executive Coach and also provides senior legal support and cultural change consultancy.  She is a seasoned leader having spent 17 years with Asda and Wal-Mart where she sat on the board of Asda for many years.  She has strong international experience including Non-Exec Chair of  a £1.2bn international procurement and sourcing company operating in over 10 countries and has led teams across the UK, Africa, Canada and the US.   Ellie brings her unique blend of Executive and Non-Exec experience to her coaching practice and really understands the challenges faced by senior leaders.

Bryan Foss is an experienced PLC NED, audit, risk, remcom, noms & governance chair. Qualified as an IoD Chartered Director and in the marketing, finance and technology professions, he has additional board NED experience in the UK central and regional public sector, NFP and startup businesses. Bryan’s focus is on practical application and continuous personal development. Previously an international board executive with IBM Corporation, he has significant Financial Services and other regulated sector skills.

An eminent speaker and serial entrepreneur, Liz Shanahan is recognised as a global leader in Healthcare and Lifesciences. An extremely experienced, C-suite executive, with deep management and communications consultancy expertise, Liz sold her first business, a specialist healthcare & LifeScience communication consultancy, to a NYSE listed management consultancy, becoming their Global Head of Healthcare & Lifesciences and Strategic Lead for a number of years.  On exiting, she has continued to develop and become involved in a number of businesses and holds a number of NEDships, including Chelsea & Westminster Hospital. As one of the sector’s most experienced counsels she continues to advise CEOs in many of the world’s leading organizations. Her clients include start-up’s in health tech as well as corporate giants such as the WHO, GSK, Boots, Pfizer, Novartis and the World Economic Forum. 

As Executive Director and Non-Executive Director, as CEO and Chairman, Ken has a wealth of Boardroom experience in Listed and private companies, gained across various industries and countries.

Ken now uses this experience as a business advisor and coach to Businesses and Executives. He has for many years helped people progress their careers and helps Executives wanting to become a Non-Executive Director.

Ken has three books published and works with Executives on their Board presentations.

Caroline Evans is the founder of MindLeap, a corporate governance boutique. She connects and collaborates with a variety of individuals and companies across the corporate governance community providing expert advice, practical support and guidance within this complex arena. Caroline has a background encompassing professional services, recruitment and SME leadership. She is a Senior Associate for a niche consultancy, co-hosts workshops for a NED search firm and organises growth company seminars for a not-for-profit retail investor society.

As a Chairman and Non-executive Director, Andy has vast boardroom experience of PLCs, Private Equity owned businesses, privately owned companies, public sector organisations and charities, across a wide range of industry sectors.

After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant, Andy has enjoyed almost 30 years executive career mainly in Retail, consumer products and related sectors, ultimately as Finance Director and Chief Executive. Since 2006, he has built a portfolio of non-executive appointments across commercial and public bodies.

Neil is an Executive Coach and CEO of the Red Rubber Ball Company, coaching entrepreneurs and senior managers into Director positions.  A qualified Accountant and trainer of NLP, Neil combines commerce with leading-edge personal development skills.  He is a former YMCA Chair, taking the board and management through a major change in roles, and he balances his life running the Red Rubber Ball Foundation, an education charity he formed.

Matt Craven is a thought-leader in personal branding and career enhancement with a track record of enhancing his client’s ability to advance their careers. His varied client base has included some of the UK’s top executives from Premier League Football Chairman to Executive Mentors who have guided ex-Apprentice contestants to success. He is an expert on all things related to finding a Board position, a NED post or an Interim Management assignment. Matt’s three key areas of expertise focus on how to construct a great Executive Biography, how to maximise your effectiveness in interviews and how to create a LinkedIn profile that will increase visibility and appeal.

Naomi is a successful PLC Executive, former McKinsey Consultant, Leadership Coach and Trouble-shooter all rolled into one, working with C- and D- level Executives to shape, enable and deliver culture and strategic change that really makes a practical difference to business performance.   With extensive international experience in industry, Naomi now operates independently as Leadership Unleashed, adding value to both SMEs and large corporates across a wide range of industries.