NCBC Council

Craig Pearson

President / Your IT Department

Craig Pearson is the Head of Sales & Marketing at Your IT Department, an award-winning IT support business based in Eastwood, Nottingham.

Appointed Chief Executive at the age of 23 at his first company, Craig has held senior management positions with several businesses and not-for-profits delivering funded projects in training, employability and business support. He has also worked as a business advisor and marketing consultant before joining Your IT seven years ago.

Outside of work, Craig is an avid walker and completed the 16-mile Leicestershire 3 Peaks Challenge in 2023. His rescue Greyhound, Rick, accompanies him on rather shorter walks and he also enjoys traveling, reading, and collecting single malt whiskey – although most of the bottles in his ‘collection’ appear to be less than full!!

Joe Burns

Vice President / Reformed IT

Joe Burns is the CEO and co-founder of Reformed IT, a high-growth Managed IT Services business focused on protecting companies in the East Midlands from the increasing threat of cyber-crime.

As a Certified Ethical Hacker, Joe and his team of experts use their skills and experience to implement various layers of risk mitigation which has prevented any of their clients from suffering a single data breach since the business was founded in 2019.

Alongside Reformed IT, Joe also has a consultancy business which helps organisations to implement technology and automation to increase efficiency.

No stranger to the world of business and networking, Joe established his first company back in 2005, aged just 21. This business was acquired in a 7-figure deal in 2016 with Joe becoming the group Managing Director to the new parent company for a further 3 years where he oversaw a group-wide turnover growth of more than 60% during this time.

When not working on growing his businesses, Joe will be found walking his cockerpoo, Bramble, or shaking up a cocktail in his home bar as an enthusiastic mixologist.

Victoria Branch

Founder / VB Marketing Ltd

Victoria Branch is the founder and principal consultant at VB Marketing Ltd, a results-driven marketing consultancy based in Nottingham. With over a decade of experience in creating and delivering multi-channel marketing strategies, Victoria specialises in turning business goals into tangible, actionable results, all while cutting through the jargon.

Outside of work, Victoria enjoys a balanced lifestyle that includes weight training, hiking, live music, and travel. She’s also a big fan of exploring new restaurants and sharing her experiences. With a friendly and accessible approach, Victoria brings a unique combination of strategic insight, hands-on experience, and creative vision to everything she does.

As a new Council Member at Nottingham City Business Club, Victoria is eager to contribute her expertise, collaborate with other local businesses, and continue driving meaningful change within the community.

Matthew Chapman

Financial Director / Johns of Nottingham

Matthew Chapman is the Financial Director at Johns of Nottingham Ltd, a fourth-generation, family run business established in 1909. The company specialises in Commercial Decorating, Insurance reinstatement, and Facilities management solutions across a broad range of sectors throughout the UK.

Matthew’s journey with Johns began over 13 years ago as an Accounts Assistant. Since then, he has taken on a variety of roles that have shaped his expertise and leadership. His commitment to professional growth led him to earn his accounting certification after three years of dedicated study.

In addition to his role at Johns, Matthew contributes to the community by serving on the Employment Advisory Board (EAB) at HMP Nottingham. EABs are designed to advise and support prisons in enhancing training and employment opportunities for inmates and prison leavers, with the goal of improving their prospects for sustainable employment upon release.

Outside of work, Matthew enjoys playing golf, travelling the world, and staying active.

Jess Plant

Accountant / Willis Cooper Ltd

I’ve been working at Willis Cooper, an accountancy practice based in Belper, since I left school at 18. Over the past seven years, I’ve progressed into a managerial role where I help oversee the day-to-day running of the firm. My role includes supervising and mentoring junior staff, reviewing client work, preparing accounts, and managing long-term client relationships. I enjoy the variety that comes with working in a smaller practice, no two days are the same! I’ve achieved both my AAT and ATT qualifications and have one exam left to complete my ACA.

In 2025, I joined the council to get more involved in the club and contribute to its ongoing success. I’m keen to support wherever I can, whether that’s helping to plan events, offering a helping hand behind the scenes, or just being a reliable pair of hands when needed. I hope to bring a fresh perspective and represent the views of younger members, while learning from others and playing a part in the club’s future.

Outside of work and studying, I love walking my three labradors in the countryside, going to music festivals and catching up with friends.

Steve Bennett

Founder / Ascend Coaching

Steve Bennett is a seasoned business and life coach with over 20 years of experience in leadership, transformation, and personal growth. As the founder of Ascend Coaching, he helps individuals and business owners overcome challenges, gain clarity, and achieve lasting success.

Drawing from his own entrepreneurial journey—including building and selling his own company—Steve blends real-world experience with practical coaching strategies that deliver results. His coaching services range from one-to-one mentoring and business consultancy to transformational group programs and speaking engagements.

Passionate about guiding others to meaningful change, Steve believes everyone has the power to transform their life and business.

Terry Ellis

Immediate Past President / h2o digital

Terry Ellis is the founder of h2o digital, a web design and digital marketing agency based in Nottingham.

Founded in 2010, h2o digital is collaborative team of digital experts who feel passionate about increasing clients brand awareness, creating leads and growing business.

For h2o, delivering a working website is not enough. They aim to develop an online platform that not only looks great, but can be proven to increase online visibility. Everything they design adheres to industry best practice standards. h2o clients love working with them and their goal is to continue thier relationships beyond delivery and support their clients long term as their businesses grow.

Terry has worked at a senior level in both manufacturing and logistics, so knows ‘how business works’. Real world experience, technical know-how and a history of high levels of customer support ensures h2o delivers to your needs.

Kimberley Davies-Phippen

Founder / The Marketing Hothouse

Kimberley is the founder of The Marketing Hothouse, on a mission to help ambitious SMEs build marketing that truly resonates and unlocks real growth. With senior leadership experience at Bauer Media and Reed Exhibitions plc, she also played a key role in scaling her family’s financial planning firm from start-up to successful exit – giving her a deep understanding of what it takes to grow a business.

What Kimberley loves most? Coaching business owners and teams to confidently create and implement marketing that works. Passionate about local enterprise, she’s excited to bring her skills and energy to support the thriving business community of Nottingham City Business Club.

Kimberley has an MBA, is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, and serves as a trustee of the Belvoir Education and Sports Trust, supporting disadvantaged children in the East Midlands to lead happy and healthy lives. Outside work, she’s often found walking her golden Labrador, Pecan, on a mission of their own – sniffing out Nottinghamshire’s best indie coffee spots (with bonus points for doggie treats behind the counter!).

Passionate about guiding others to meaningful change, Steve believes everyone has the power to transform their life and business.

Steve Edwards

Council Member / Steve Edwards Photography

Steve Edwards is a commercial photographer based in Nottingham, who set up in business in 2015.

Prior to that, Steve had been contributing to various specialist motoring publications and had 20 plus front covers and nearly 200 features published. Demand from the business sector meant that Steve had to give up his day job to concentrate on photography full time and has gone from strength to strength since, providing clients with headshots, images for e-commerce, photos from corporate events in addition to property and architectural images, brand photography and of course, automotive.

Steve always had an interest in photography from an early age and it was his hobby before he transitioned into the world of commercial photography. He’d worked previously in sales and various service industries which means he finds it very easy to chat to people and make them feel as relaxed as possible in front of his camera.

When he’s not working, Steve can be found out and about with his wife Cherie, and their dog Affie, short for Aphrodite, who they met whilst on holiday in Cyprus and subsequently adopted.

Deborah Labbate

NCBC Ambassador / Deborah Labbate Business Solutions

Deborah Labbate’s entrepreneurial journey began at just 17, marked by two significant business exits—one a strategic decision and the other a testament to her resilience and adaptability. Since 2006, she has focused on helping other business owners achieve rapid success, leveraging her extensive experience across various sectors, including startups, growth-stage companies, and exit strategies.

Deborah excels at dissecting complex business challenges, offering clarity, direction, and effective solutions grounded in real-world business acumen. Her straightforward, no-nonsense approach ensures that her clients focus on what matters most, delivering tangible results through practical and realistic strategies. She understands the importance of confidence in making everyday decisions as a leader, recognizing that it can be lonely at the top!

Deborah’s board-level experience further highlights her comprehensive leadership abilities and her personable and approachable nature, combined with strong emotional intelligence, makes her exceptional in crisis and project management.

Collaborating with carefully chosen partners Deborah offers a comprehensive range of services and expertise to help businesses go further, faster.

Nigel Rowlson

Former President / The Dairy

Nigel Rowlson is the founder and Managing Director of award winning Nottingham based marketing and design agency – The Dairy.

He has over 40 years experience in the communications world having worked in the Midlands and London across a wide range of businesses including Ford, British Gas, Cable and Wireless, Church’s Shoes, The National Trust, NHS and Bravissimo.

He maintains that he learnt more about business and marketing whilst selling bras and knickers on Arnold Market as a teenager in 1979 than he did at college!

The Dairy was established in 2002 and serves local and national clients with their marketing planning, design, brand development, digital, print, social media and PR requirements.

Ian Roberts

Former President / Nottingham Physio

Ian Roberts was a founder director of SLR Consulting Limited set up in 1994. SLR is a global environmental consulting organisation with offices across Europe, North America, Africa and Asia Pacific. The company provides advisory services across sectors including oil and gas, mining and minerals, infrastructure, power, industry and the built environment. Following a recent investment by Charterhouse Ian has left SLR to pursue other business interest. These interests include property investments, a US based sports science business, a local manufacturing organisation and an e-commerce fashion business. Ian is also a business partner in sports injury and rehabilitation organisation called Nottingham Physio with an internationally recognised sports physiotherapist operating out of Roko gymnasium. The business has a private practice open to the public and a wide range of elite athletes from around the world. Expansion plans for the business are local, national and international

Ian has also served as an East Midlands Councillor for the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and is a Fellow of the Institute of Directors and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Waste Management. Ian is also an Associate Director of Notts County Football Club and a trustee of Notts County Football in the Community a UK leading charity.

James Simmonds

Former President and Treasurer / UHY Hacker Young Chartered Accountants

James is a partner in the Nottingham office of UHY, an ambitious and growing Top 20 Group of UK Chartered Accountants.

James specialises in owner-managed businesses within the SME market, offering tailored services to clients across all business sectors whether complex or day-to-day, local, national or international.

James offers a partner-led approach to all of his clients, ensuring they receive the personal one-to-one service required. At UHY, our foundation of service, based on strong ties and long-standing loyalty from our clients, continues to be valued and fostered across the firm.

Whilst accountancy services remain the core services provided by the office we also offer personal and corporate finance, taxation and computer services together with added value services such as dispute resolution, financial planning advice and assisting in the selling and purchasing of businesses.

Veronica Pickering

Lord Lieutenant and Executive Coach

Veronica Moraa Pickering was the first Kenyan to be appointed by His Majesty the King as the High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire (March 2023-March 2024), and on the 2nd March 2024 was the first woman to be appointed by the King as Lord Lieutenant for the county of Nottinghamshire.

A social entrepaneur, Veronica is a former UK Safeguarding Specialist and International Child Protection Consultant for the UN, working with many NGOs across Africa, supporting vulnerable people, their families and communities.

Veronica now works as an advisor to a number of public and private sector boards, and works as Executive Coach and partnership specialist with a number of companies and organisations across the UK.

Veronica is a also visiting Professor to Lincoln International Business School focusing on Resilence and Diversity and sits on the Advisor Board for Nottingham Univesity Business School.

A strong supporter of the arts and nature conservation charities, she has held a variety of executive and non executive posts. She is currently a Trustee of the RSPB, a UK Ambassador for The Woodland Trust and UK RAF Museums.

Veronica is the Patron of Royal British Legion Nottoingahmshire, Nottingham City Business Club and Sharewear

Veronica is the first woman of colour in the UK to be appointed Royal Air Force (RAF) Honorary Air Commodore (HAC) for 504 County of Nottingham Squadron.

In 2022 Veronica was awarded the Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear (M.B.S) for services to Kenya by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

She is married to the Nottinghamshire born artist Roy Pickering. They have two adult children and live near Nottingham.