SoGlos strives to champion Gloucestershire's thriving business sector. The county is bursting with a wealth of talent and passion and a huge number of individuals whose actions make a positive impact.
Aiming to demonstrate the spread of talent across all ages, the diversity of sectors and types of influence, our 2025 hot list celebrates a range of inspiring leaders, in no particular order.
Mark FitzPatrick
Since his appointment in 2023, CEO of Cotswolds-based wealth management firm St James's Place, Mark FitzPatrick, has been at the helm of the firm which turned over a record £1.3 billion as of December 2023 – solidifying its place in the top three of the SoGlos Top 100 Businesses in Gloucestershire.
Under his astute leadership, SJP has completed a restructure that simplified its charging model, strengthened its advice proposition and boosted cost efficiency in the face of scrutiny – underpinning why he deserves this top spot among the most influential business figures of 2025.
David Morton
David Morton has led The King's School Gloucester since 2017, bringing more than 25 years of teaching and senior leadership experience in the independent school sector to his position at one of the most historic schools in the UK.
During his stewardship, the school made The Good Schools Guide for the first time in January 2025 and won the title of Independent School of the Year in the Gloucestershire Lifestyle Awards in the same year, demonstrating his commitment not just to academic excellence, but to providing an incredible experience for pupils. David has also been outspoken about the economic pressures facing independent education in the UK, particularly the 20 per cent VAT added to school fees, mitigating increases for King's parents as much as possible.
Daniel O'Neill
When Daniel O'Neill founded kitchenware retailer ProCook as a mail order business in 1996, little did he know he would create the UK's leading direct-to-consumer specialist kitchenware brand – but he clearly saw potential which he continues to realise.
Having opened its latest Gloucestershire store at the Cotswolds Designer Outlet and its largest UK store in Manchester in 2025, the brand continues to see major growth, particularly in bricks and mortar, with five more stores set to open before Christmas. The certified B Corp has also seen revenue increase, reaching over £69 million, according to the most recently filed figures in March 2025.
Jack Cook
Founder and CEO of Hucclecote's First Thought Care Services, Jack Cook is taking the care sector by storm – in Gloucestershire and beyond. Having launched his company at just 20-years-old, Jack has taken his past experiences and created a true force for good with his company, having grown up in care and navigated mental health struggles of his own.
The future looks bright for this young Gloucestershire businessman, following his win at the Gloucestershire Business Awards 2025 for Entrepreneur of the Year, with plans to open a new independent special education school in spring 2026, too.
Jeremy Clarkson
With 9.6 million followers on Instagram, Cotswold farmer and brewer Jeremy Clarkson is certainly influential – impacting the public and the government's views on farming through his popular Netflix series, Clarkson's Farm.
At 65-years-old, he's showing no signs of slowing down. This year alone his Hawkstone Brewery was named the fastest growing company in the south west region and Clarkson's Farm got royal approval with a visit from Prince William in March. Jeremy's influence on the farming community continues to grow, too, with the announcement that Diddly Squat Farm will play host to 25,000 farmers during the flagship Cereals event in June 2026.
Paul Markey
Group managing director at long-established family business, Markey Group, Paul Markey is at the head of operations alongside his brother, Tony Markey. This year, Markey Group took home two Gloucestershire Business Awards for Growth Business of the Year and Family Business of the Year 2025.
First training as a chartered accountant, Paul spent 30 years starting and growing businesses in manufacturing, healthcare, construction and property in Gloucestershire – growing MG Markey Group Limited to turnover £32 million year ending March 2024.
Nicola Bird
Chief operating officer of KW Bell Group, Nicola Bird is hot on excellence, innovation and dedication in construction. Her family's initiative, AccXel, in the Forest of Dean, is an industry heavyweight with three generations of construction expertise behind it, pioneering the UK's first and only industry-led construction school.
Operating with an ethos that a deep understanding of the industry is crucial for success, she remains hands-on and actively engaged at the coalface as she positively influences the next generation of construction workers.
Martin Haag
The new head of performance rugby at the award-winning Hartpury University and Hartpury College, Martin Haag, was appointed in July 2025, bringing with him years of experience as a former Bath Rugby player and world champion youth coach.
Having been capped by England Rugby twice, his influence on the sporting sector both on a local and national level is undeniable. Hartpury rugby's reputation precedes itself thanks to many alumni players appearing on the world stage – including England captain Zoe Aldcroft leading her team to victory at the 2025 Rugby World Cup – with Martin's appointment building on this success.
Julian Dunkerton
2025 has been a year of big decisions and hard fights for Julian Dunkerton — but this Cheltenham business heavyweight has come out on top. He claimed a victory in his planning battle with Cheltenham Borough Council over the controversial marquees at No.131 in February 2025, with plans given the green light to transform the outdoor terrace with permanent structure at the front of the building. Julian's business portfolio boasts plenty more hospitality success stories, including Japanese-style restaurant YOKU and the growing Dunkertons Organic Cider site.
And while the last couple of years have seen his major fashion brand, Superdry, report major losses, its restructuring plan with a range of cost-saving measures 'puts the business in a stronger position to deliver its recovery and return the business to growth'.
Clara Cardillo
Founder and co-owner of Non Solo Pasta and The Cotswold Cardillo, Cirencester-based Clara Cardillo has made waves in the Gloucestershire business scene with her incredible Italian food and drink products, inspired by her family's own recipes.
What started out as a stall at Cirencester's farmers market selling authentic Italian street food made using the finest Cotswold ingredients is now a nationally recognised company, with its artisan Italian products making their way to homes and businesses all over the country. Clara runs her business alongside raising two young children and still finds time to work with Gloucestershire Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers, so it's no surprise why she took home the Gloucestershire Business Award for Businesswoman of the Year 2025.
Richard Cook
Fishmonger Richard Cook reported turnover of £66.6 million in 2024 at his globally renowned firm Severn & Wye Smokery, despite the recent 'volatility' of the price of fish.
With ambitious plans from the chairman to build a huge new fish farm, restaurant and visitor centre at Lydney Harbour still underway, the Royal Warrant-held smokery, restaurant, chef's larder, fish counter and cookery school, just off the A48 at Chaxhill, was founded in 1989 and employs around 120 people.
Stephanie Smith-Rowles
Awarded highly commended in the 2025 Gloucestershire Business Awards, Stephanie Smith-Rowles is the founder behind innovative Cheltenham-based clinics, Aubergine Physio and Pea Green Physio.
With a career in physiotherapy spanning 25 years, including 12 years with the GB gymnastics and trampolining teams, Stephanie founded groundbreaking men’s health specialist service, Aubergine Physio, in 2023, becoming the first clinic in Gloucestershire to offer shockwave treatment for erectile dysfunction.
Mark Hews
Mark Hews is group CEO of Ecclesiastical Insurance, a Brockworth-headquartered business that has influenced its community through charitable deeds and governance on an incredible scale. Ecclesiastical doesn't just deliver for customers, but as a charitable trust, ploughs any profit it makes into good causes in the UK and beyond.
Each year, it aims to give £1 million away to a number of charities as part of its Movement for Good Awards — with the Hollie Gazzard Trust, The Orchard Trust and The Friends of Gloucestershire Cathedral all past recipients.
Brusk Korkmaz
Founder and CEO of Cirencester-headquartered construction firm Hercules, Brusk Korkmaz has over two decades of construction industry experience. Brusk floated Hercules on the stock market in 2022 and is aiming to make £500 million in turnover in the next five years.
With well over 1,600 operatives working on some of the UK's largest infrastructure projects for partners such as Balfour Beatty, Skanska, Costain and many more, Brusk has fostered not only a multi-million-pound company, but one that wins awards for its employee culture, ethics and sustainability.
Bridget Redmond
Managing partner at Cheltenham law firm Willans LLP Solicitors, Bridget Redmond joined the team over 15 years ago, now leading it in its 77th year. From its headquarters on Imperial Square, the firm sets the bar high, but otherwise modestly and quietly goes about its business, working with clients from across the globe (including international household names and Fortune 500 businesses), as well as supporting many charitable causes across Gloucestershire.
Bridget became a partner at the firm in 2004 and climbed the ladder to be appointed as a managing partner in 2016, taking over from Margaret Austen at the Legal 500 and Chambers-rated firm. This year, Willans partnered with Hazlewoods to make the 2025 Gloucestershire Business Awards possible.
Will Lee
Will Lee took over as chief executive of engineering giant Renishaw from the late Sir David McMurtry in 2018. After joining the company on a graduate scheme in 1996, he has worked his way up to hold a number of senior management positions, including director and general manager for the laser and calibration products division; director of group sales and marketing; and then CEO, giving him a deep understanding of the business and the sector.
With a degree in physics and a mission to use it to solve real-world problems, under Will's tenure Renishaw has been recognised with multiple awards for its innovative products; a Queens Awards for enterprise and international trade; and recognition for its industry-leading graduate scheme.
Dale Vince
Activist and climate campaigner, Dale Vince is the high-profile founder of Stroud electricity company Ecotricity and the owner of football's greenest team, Forest Green Rovers. Not one to shy away from public speaking, Dale has made an asset of his ability to garner publicity to spread a message in favour of green power.
In 2024, Ecotricity partnered with screen industry organisation for environmental sustainability, BAFTA albert, in a quest to decarbonise Britain's TV and film industry by helping production companies switch to green energy. In the same year, Ecotricity also ranked number one in the UK among energy suppliers for its customer service; and plans are still in the works for Ecojet – a world-leading new venture working towards zero emission flying, with Dale signing a deal for 70 hydrogen-electric aircraft engines.
James Milner
James Milner is the CEO of Gloucestershire climate tech company, Wild Hydrogen, which is developing innovative carbon-negative hydrogen and biomethane technology to help decarbonise high-polluting sectors like energy, transport and heavy industry.
Having established and grown three successful enterprises from the ground up, created over 200 skilled jobs and generated £1 billion in value to clients, James is now applying his skills and expertise to this ambitious R&D company. James has already navigated a series of complex technical and regulatory challenges to secure £5 million in funding for Wild Hydrogen's clean energy innovations.
Jade Holland Cooper
The chic mind behind the eponymous Holland Cooper fashion brand, her confidence in her own ability, vision and ideas saw her leave the Royal Agricultural University to pursue her dreams of owning her own label.
With a loyal following garnered through mastering online sales via social media — and a solid relationship with Cheltenham Racecourse as its official fashion partner — Jade Holland Cooper remains inspirational to other aspiring entrepreneurs. Jade has announced exciting new headquarters opening at Dunkertons Park in Charlton Kings soon and she has also big plans to expand into the USA.
Mark Lawton
Mark Lawton has been general manager of the aircraft control components division at Moog Controls since 2023. The company moved into its £50 million 'smart factory' site in Tewkesbury in the same year, marking the start of an exciting time for Moog and, according to Mark, a sign of its 'commitment to Gloucestershire'. It saw record financial performance in 2024 and looks set to break that record again in 2025.
A testament to Moog's company culture, the cutting-edge aerospace engineering firm overcame adversity after flash flooding halted production, with the entire team pulling together to restore its services in record time – so it's no surprise that customers rate it well above competitors, cementing its position as a leader in its sector.
Matthew Burgess
Continuing to drive the success after more than a decade of investment, Gloucestershire College principal and chief executive Matthew Burgess and his team have been on a mission to transform the institution since 2013, steering a business spread over three enviable campuses, which remains ahead of the curve, not just in the county but beyond.
During his tenure, he's led the delivery of the college's Cinderford campus, along with new facilities including a cyber suite and degree-level courses in the cyber security field, cultivating strong links to GCHQ and the cyber sector. Most recently in September last year, the college opened its new £5 million construction training centre in Cheltenham's Golden Valley.
Emma Jenkins
After joining global aerospace and defence giant Ontic in August 2023, Gloucestershire native Emma Jenkins has led the rapid growth of the firm's operations at Staverton as site director. Bringing a wealth of experience from a variety of industries including construction and energy, Emma oversees the day-to-day running and health and safety at the facility, which specialises in mechanical aerospace part manufacturing and repair for customers such as Boeing, BAE Systems and Airbus.
A champion of apprenticeships and a mentor for young people in the industry, with 35 years of experience working in STEM, the site's revenue has increased by almost five times under her leadership – driven by a huge increase in staff numbers, going from a team of 90 to 250.
Nimesh Patel
On a mission to deliver 'a more efficient, safer and sustainable future' for one of Gloucestershire's biggest employers, Nimesh Patel oversees the daily undertakings of Spirax Group Plc as chief executive. A world-leading provider of steam, electrical thermal and fluid management solutions for both commercial and industrial industries, the group's latest annual report for 2024 shows a turnover of £1.665 billion – putting it second on the list of the Top 100 Businesses in Gloucestershire 2025.
Nimesh took over from Nicholas Anderson, who retired after 10 successful years in January 2024, as CEO of the group which acts as an umbrella firm for three world-leading businesses, now called Steam Thermal Solutions, Electric Thermal Solutions and Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Solutions, along with multiple brands.
Jessica Brewster
Bringing an exemplary track record in leadership and organisational, programmatic and operational strategy, Jessica Brewster became CEO of The Cheltenham Trust – the charity which manages some of the town's most significant cultural venues – in September 2025.
Joining the trust from The Roses Theatre, which returned to a financial surplus and undertook a full front-of-house refurbishment, without any public subsidy, under her leadership, through transforming its business model during her six year tenure, she's now set to help venues, including Cheltenham Town Hall and Pittville Pump Room to 'continue to build a thriving and inclusive Cheltenham where culture, heritage, sport and leisure drive social value and wellbeing', with some 'exciting' new initiatives in development.
Mark Goucher
As chief executive of Cheltenham's beloved Everyman Theatre, experienced producer Mark Goucher continues to bring acclaimed and sell-out shows to town. Having led the theatre through extraordinary challenges, from the complete shutdown of the industry during the Covid-19 pandemic into a new era of growth, Mark's blend of artistic vision and business acumen saw him named Business Leader of the Year at the 2025 Gloucestershire Business Awards.
Running his own London-based production company gives Mark the connections to bring leading productions to Cheltenham before they hit the West End, including the likes of The Talented Mr Ripley in 2025, helping the theatre achieve strong financial results – including its most successful year on record at the box office.
Elise Seibold
Having risen through the ranks during a 20-year career with one of the UK's largest soft drinks manufacturers, Elise Seibold became chief operating officer of Suntory Beverages & Food for Great Britain and Ireland in November 2024. Based at its Coleford manufacturing facility, Elise has overseen a host of successes at Suntory in 2025, including the biggest ever Lucozade launch and a high-profile collaboration with England and Real Madrid footballer, Jude Bellingham.
In her first year as COO, the company also invested £6.3 million in a sustainable new design for Lucozade Energy, including installing new 'sleevers' across three production lines at the Coleford factory; and £920,000 in a blackcurrant breeding programme to improve crop resilience.
Bruce Gregory
A major played in the Gloucestershire cyber sector, Bruce Gregory is a co-director of CyNam alongside Richard Yorke, as well as the managing director of the impressive Hub8 network of cyber business workplaces. Starting in The Brewery Quarter and now including the Cheltenham campus of Gloucestershire College, he's had a hand in helping to create a platform for a cyber sector that provides a major economic driver for the county.
In collaboration with Plexal and Cheltenham Borough Council, Bruce helped to open the brand-new Minster Exchange in Cheltenham in July 2024. With more than 60 businesses already using the innovative co-working space as a base, the MX is also the new home to Cheltenham's Growth Hub — supporting business development in and around the town.
Paul Bence
Managing director of Cheltenham's George Bence Group, Paul Bence is the son of chairman Chris Bence and the fifth generation to run Gloucestershire’s leading independent builders’ merchants, George Bence & Sons. Established in 1854, the company prides itself on catering for everyone from DIY enthusiasts, to landscapers and national housebuilders.
The group also has Obsidian Interiors as part of its portfolio – showcasing ‘the best in kitchens and bathrooms from the world’s top manufacturers’ – which reopened its Cheltenham showroom in January 2025 following a £500,000 refurbishment.
Clare Marchant
Clare Marchant is vice chancellor at the University of Gloucestershire, with a goal to strengthen every aspect of the institution, giving it direction and purpose to make it stand out to students and businesses in Gloucestershire and beyond.
Succeeding Stephen Marston in 2023, Marchant has overseen the transformation of the old Debenhams building in Gloucester into a brand-new campus which opened in August 2025 – with the project exceeding 'every major social value target set' to generate £44 million in social value for the local community. And further enhancing its reputation in educating students, the university recorded one of the country's biggest year-on-year improvements in The Guardian University Guide for 2026, climbing a whopping 32 places to number 68 out of 123 – its highest ever position.
Carole Bamford
Hugely influential in the Cotswolds, as well as internationally, Carole Bamford started Daylesford Organic more than 40 years ago and has grown the business into one of the UK's most successful organic farms. Having introduced cafes and spas across London and the Cotswolds, she’s also created a Bamford range of organic clothing and skincare; opened fitness hotspot, The Club by Bamford; revamped four Cotswolds pubs – The Wild Rabbit in Kingham, The Fox at Oddington, The Bell at Charlbury and The Three Horseshoes near Burford; bought an organic wine estate and restaurant in France, Léoube; and has an Indian heritage crafts charity on her books, too.
She also has 34 Cotswolds cottages available as holiday lets, under the banner Daylesford Stays; and opened an 'extraordinary' new events space, Heritage House at her Kingham Farm in 2024.
Lucy Beresford
Miles Dunkley’s Cheltenham design-led international beauty firm SLG Brands seems perpetually ahead of the curve. It was placing products it helped its clientele develop on social media via influencers and big names before it was commonplace to do so.
Lucy Beresford has been crucial in shaping the modern SLG. The University of Gloucestershire business and marketing graduate started working with the firm in 2005, becoming joint managing director in 2019. And most recently in October 2025, the company's haircare brand Rhyme & Reason won in the Hair Care Packaging Innovation category at London Packaging Week, praised for its sustainable approach using 100 per cent recycled materials without compromising on aesthetic or performance.
Beth Boughton
Managing director of Cheltenham-headquartered Ubico, Beth Boughton has made an impressive impact over the past five years.
The company operates for Gloucestershire County Council; Gloucester City Council; Cheltenham and Tewkesbury Borough Councils; and Cotswold, Forest of Dean and Stroud District Councils, providing a range of environmental services including waste collection, recycling and street cleansing. In the year ending 31 March 2025, turnover for Ubico increased to more than £54 million – up by £4.26 million – with staff numbers also increasing to 903.
Ruth Dooley
Ruth Dooley, a partner at leading accountants and business advisors Hazlewoods, also chaired GFirst LEP – a business-led venture created to transform Gloucestershire's local enterprise through partnerships and investment, that attracted more than £113 million in funding for the county before government funding ceased and the majority of GFirst's current staff and its initiatives and activities transferred to Gloucestershire County Council.
Ruth's most recent venture was announced in August 2024, with her appointment confirmed on the new Economic Growth Board, which oversees the running of key initiatives and provides independent representation for businesses in the county. She joined the board alongside other influential figures mentioned in this very list, including Nicola Bird and Clare Marchant.
Wayne Organ
Architectural firm Roberts Limbrick continues to change our built environment for the better, both in the county and beyond.
Wayne Organ is the director of its commercial sector operations, mostly working on industrial projects, and has long-running relationships with people across industry, especially in Gloucestershire. He has led the firm’s input into projects including St Modwen Business Park (home to ProCook, Gardiner Bros, Downton), Renishaw's headquarters at Wotton-under-Edge, plus his team helped to deliver the highly anticipated Cotswolds Designer Outlet, which opened back in July 2025.
Sam Carter
When talking about hands-on influence in the building sector in Gloucestershire – and there are many with influence – few have quite the profile and history of EG Carter. The Gloucester-based family business is part of the transformational Gloucester city centre development The Forum, it delivered the brand-new MKM Building Supplies Gloucester branch in Quedegely, has constructed schools and been influential on so many more projects throughout the county.
Sam Carter and his brother Joshua became joint managing directors of the business in 2022, the fourth generation to lead the successful construction firm. Its published accounts showed an enormous increase in turnover for the year to the end of June 2024, from £69.4 million to almost £90.9 million.
Jonathan White
A native of Northern Ireland, Jonathan White came to Gloucestershire to forge a career in architecture, starting with Roberts Limbrick, before moving to Gloucester Quays headquartered Quattro Design Architects in 2019, where he now acts as director.
Projects at the firm range from education healthcare, housing and later-living care, to defence, leisure and hospitality, commercial, mixed use and heritage. Jonathan is also the chairman of Constructing Excellence Gloucestershire, the sector body that exists to champion all that is good about the industry in the county, authenticate trainees in the construction sector, alongside encouraging partnership and growth.
Philip Martin
Philip Martin worked for a number of national surveying practices in both Leeds and Birmingham and has sector-wide experience in commercial asset management, investment and development. In 2010, he jointly founded Martin Commercial Properties with his late father, Bob.
That business manages The Brewery Quarter in Cheltenham, which has transformed the town centre site into a hugely successful leisure, dining and business destination, home also to the likes of cyber-focused workspace Hub8 and brand specialists SLG. Philip’s focus is assisting landlords, investors and developers in maximising potential from their real estate – and clients hail from across the UK, including Bounce at Battersea Power Station in London and F1 Arcade in Birmingham.
Adam Henson
If influential came down to simply how many followers you have on social media and this list was in any kind of order, Adam Henson would be near the top, with 97,000 Instagram followers.
Adam has not sat back and basked in the profile he has developed as a presenter of television’s Countryfile, he has used it to help enhance and drive forward the work started by his father at the Guiting Power Farm. He is a vocal champion of farming, the countryside and agriculture and its value to Britain, and together with his team has created a family attraction in Cotswold Farm Park that sets standards, fascinates young and old alike and enhances life in Gloucestershire – among his achievements in this year, the farm park was awarded Family Day Out of the Year 2025 in the Gloucestershire Lifestyle Awards.
Simon Thomas
Montpellier Legal took the Gloucestershire Business Awards honour of Growth Business of the Year in 2024, as one of the fastest-growing success stories in the county.
Under the leadership of CEO Simon Thomas, the firm has gone from strength-to-strength, opening three new offices in Gloucester, Stroud and Cirencester with plans to open more in the pipeline – becoming the largest conveyancing firm in Gloucestershire in just four years. Montpellier Legal has also become one of the latest UK law firms to secure private equity backing in 2025, taking funding from Foresight in a deal valuing the business at more than £20 million.
Ali Mawle
Those who follow the fortunes of Cheltenham Festivals closely will know just how important they are to Gloucestershire, for cultural nourishment, education and as a significant catalyst for the economy too, bringing thousands of visitors annually and inviting scores of headlines nationally and abroad. Not to mention the sheer joy they bring to thousands annually.
Ali acts as co-chief executive officer and has long been part of the management team at the business and registered charity, and was part of the team that steered it clear of near financial ruin, courtesy of the Covid-19 pandemic, towards ongoing success. Together with Ian George, the pair’s experience and continuity in their roles is a huge asset – and 2026 is set to feature another excellent line up for the annual Jazz Festival.
Ian George
Ian George’s experience as part of the Cheltenham Festivals team goes back to 2005, when he joined as head of marketing, before becoming a director of its jazz festival in 2009. He was part of the team that saw the business through the challenges of the pandemic to come out the other side with plaudits and, importantly, the festivals remained intact.
Since December 2021, he has been co-chief executive officer alongside Ali Mawle. This year's Cheltenham Literature Festival was a record-breaking year at box office, with more than 100,000 tickets sold. The 10-day event featured a host of high-profile names, including Joanna Lumley, Miriam Margolyes, Graham Norton, Richard Osman, Joanna Page, Jaqueline Wilson, David Suchet and many more.
Moreton Cullimore
Moreton Cullimore was once spoken of as the successor to his father, who was the successor to his father as well, at the well-known and proudly Gloucestershire-based haulage and gravel extraction business, the Cullimore Group.
These days, he has as much of his own history laid down for that to be a thing of the past – though he continues a proud family legacy. In addition to serving as managing director of Cullimore Group and managing partner of Cullimore Farms, he holds the position of national chairman and director of the Road Haulage Association and continues to lead a business whose green trucks, each named after a Dickens character, are a regular sight on the county’s roads.
Camella Cephas
Leading Gloucestershire law firm, WSP Solicitors, appointed Camella Cephas as its new managing director in July 2025. Camella joined WSP Solicitors in 2020, becoming a board director and head of children and care law in 2022. She has been ranked in Chambers UK Guide 2026, is an accredited member of the Law Society’s children panel and continues to represent parents and children in court proceedings.
Her vision for the future is to build on the firm’s long-standing success by fostering a high performing, forward thinking culture. One that embraces continuous learning, deepens client relationships, supports ongoing growth and modernisation. Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, she remains focussed on ensuring her team continues to make clients’ lives less complicated.
Guy Lavender
With the Christmas Meeting and New Year's Day racing on the horizon, Guy Lavender is poised to take on the season's big celebrations. As CEO of the world-famous Cheltenham Racecourse, he's the man responsible for overseeing the famous Festival in March that brings an estimated 250,000 to Cheltenham Racecourse. It's National Hunt racing of the very highest calibre and prize money second only to the Grand National.
Its impact is felt further afield, of course, with an estimated £100 million boost to the county as a whole. He's implementing changes to make the pinnacle of jump racing the best it can possibly be, including appointing history-making female jockey, Rachael Blackmore, its new 'head of Ladies Day'.
Greg Pilley
Greg Pilley is an entrepreneur, pioneer and icon for those who believe businesses can actually be kinder to the planet, fun, imaginative, community-focused and successful to boot. Greg, who in now distant days worked for the Soil Association, started Stroud Brewery before micro-breweries were considered a sensible career move, stubbornly raising the flag from day one for what he believed was ethical and environmentally sound.
Customer loyalty, community support and respect speak volumes for what his team is achieving — lately the team has diversified the offering at its HQ in Stroud, using the space for music, yoga and a variety of events. It also scooped gold in the Best of Organic Beer category in the Best of Organic Market (BOOM) Awards 2025.
Martin St Quinton
Martin St Quinton’s commitment and steady hand has proved to be just what Gloucester Rugby club needed to endure through uncertain financial times. Reported to have a net worth of around £20 million, the Gloucester Rugby Chairman and majority owner has an influence that also extends to South Africa, where his support for a children’s home gives vulnerable youngsters a solid foundation in education.
This year, he received an honorary fellowship from Hartpury University and Hartpury College for his outstanding service to sport. His leadership at Cheltenham Racecourse was also noted for 'reflecting his wide influence across equestrian industries and Gloucestershire’s sporting ecosystem'.
Roger Workman
Started in 1938 by Harry Workman with a single Morris 8 van, Cotteswold Dairy has been a constant in Tewkesbury ever since, and today processes more than 100 million litres of milk each year. It employs 400-plus staff and is a bastion of the farming and agricultural sector it describes as a community, and one it defends through a passion for what it does.
Joining the business in 1962, and at the helm of the firm started by his father since 1982, Roger Workman has been quietly making sure all of the above continues, driving success — evident in its £92.3 million turnover published in its year to December 2024 accounts.
Mark Price
Mark Price founded project and construction management consultancy Vitruvius 17 years ago and his firm has completed multiple projects with some major Gloucestershire companies, including Hartpury University and College, Gloucestershire Airport and Cotteswold Dairy.
He is proud to support growth in Gloucestershire. In a recent SoGlos interview, he said: 'When we update and elevate a built environment in line with a company’s goals, our clients can attract new talent, customers and pupils, and, in turn, continued company growth.'
Ciara McGurk
The founder of innovative Gloucester-based laundry brand Tallow + Ash was named Young Entrepreneur of the Year for the south west in the UK StartUp Awards for 2024.
She's also seen interest in her products grow enormously and quickly, following the launch of the firm in June 2023. In January 2026, she's beginning a bold new chapter with the opening of a new headquarters at Alma House in Cheltenham.
Warren Thomas
If you work in engineering, especially if you run a business committed to training (think companies like aerospace firm Safran and engineering giant Renishaw, to umpteen SMEs in the county), the name Gloucestershire Engineering Training (GET) will not just mean something – it will be on speed dial.
Leading the Gloucester-based centre and its able team is Warren Thomas, operations director for GET from December 2017 to September 2021, when he became chief executive. Earlier this year, GET announced plans to launch its own dedicated higher education facility, in response to the increasing demand from local employers for advanced engineering skills.
