Event Speaker Lineup

Melissa Liburd - Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP)

Melissa has over 14 years’ experience working in the public sector in a range of service areas including health, safety and well-being, employee relations and learning and development. In 2013 she made the transition to economic development and business support with a focus on pre-start and early stage businesses.

Melissa now works for the Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership as the Service Manager for the Business Growth Service. The service has supported over 3000 businesses to date to access a range of grants and training, recruit apprentices, and connect with a range of experts and partner organisations since its launch in 2015.

Stephen Noblett - Department of International Trade (DIT)

Stephen is an International Trade Advisor and Food and Drink Specialist with the Department for International Trade and leads on overseas trade missions across the world. Along with organising DIT driven trade shows including Best of British and GREAT Products, he provides export guidance and assistance to Northern Powerhouse based companies and facilitates foreign embassy introductions to Yorkshire based companies.

He was previously a Non-Executive Director VisitYork and an Independent Board Member North Yorkshire Police Authority.

Faisal Khan BA (Hons) CCIBS - NatWest

Faisal works as the Relationship Manager, NatWest Business Banking, Bradford, with a portfolio of 150 SME clients who have a turnover between £500k - £2m per annum and borrowing commitments of up to £500k.

Faisal supports local businesses by conducting Financial Health Checks, to meet financial requirements through a range of banking products and services. This includes owner-occupied commercial property loans, Real Estate Finance, Asset Finance, Invoice Finance and a number of other tailor-made services.

With 15 years experience at NatWest, Faisal has a strong presence within Bradford’s local Business and professional community. By regularly attending local community and business events Faisal is well recognised by Bradford SME’s as the “GO TO” Bank Manager in the City.

Elizabeth Smith - NatWest

I have over 20 years experience in business banking. I have a portfolio of SME's turning over 500k to £2 million with borrowing needs up to £500k. I am looking to grow my business by referrals & help businesses grow by providing the right funding options. I deliver on my promises and provide an excellent level of customer service. I support businesses in North & West Yorkshire. I recently completed the Certificate in Business Banking Practice 2 from The Chartered Institute of Bankers.

I am an Ambassador for women in business at NatWest and co founder of a networking group that meets quarterly called women@work.

Jeremy Meadowcroft - Business Enterprise Fund (BEF)

Following a 30yr Banking career, & possibly one of the last “old-style” Bank Branch Managers, Business Managers, & Staff managers, Jeremy’s career experience, knowledge & passion for lending, found his way to Business Enterprise Fund where he now lends to the very clients that are often turned down by mainstream banks.

He loves to connect good people, & share their skillsets to find collaborative solutions. With a personal passion for coaching & fundraising for children`s sports-clubs & charities, he has been a club chairman, worked as a coach mentor for The FA, North Yorkshire Sport, & YMCA, & has been lucky enough to mentor, advise & coach children`s sports both in the U.K. & in America.

So if you can catch him amongst all this busy schedule, he is a useful man to know & always keen to add value wherever that may be, to your project.