STOP Steering Group & Higham CBS
David Wilkinson
Chair of STOP
Day Job: Civil Engineer (retired)
David was a chartered Civil Engineer with significant experience in Highway design working on schemes such as the M5 reconstruction in Worcestershire and road networks around the Ricoh arena, Coventry. David also has 20 years with Leicestershire County Council setting up and dealing with all matters relating to Highways and liaising with other agencies such as HBBC, Environment Agency and Highways Agency. As a resident of the village, we need the pub back as it was essential to the fabric of the community.
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David is also a Parish Council link
Kate Phillips
Secretary STOP & Higham CBS
Day Job: Geography Teacher (retired)
Kate was until recently a geography teacher at King Edward VI College, Nuneaton. She was also a Staff Governor. She has been involved in local community projects for the last 30 years including the founding and development of two community centres in Hinckley. Kate wants to bring her experience of developing and managing projects and working with community groups and charity/third sector organisations to help maintain the social hub at the centre of the village community that her family have grown up in.
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Martin Phillips
Chair of Higham CBS
Day Job: Professor of Human Geography
Martin is a Professor of Human Geography at University of Leicester. His research interests include rural communities, social change in rural areas, sustainable development and community engagement. He routinely works with community organisations across the UK and abroad. He has expertise in social surveys and community engagement. He is also Director of Research for Rural England CIC and a Board Member of Coalville CAN CBS.
Martin is involved in the Community pub project because he wants to bring his professional expertise and experience to supporting a vibrant, sustainable community life in the place where he lives. He also wants a local pub to go for a nice pint!
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Ben Collett
Finance
Day Job: Managing Director (Duff & Phelps)
Ben has 25 years experience advising companies, banks, investors and Government on the viability of businesses and the actions required to improve performance. His skills include strategy, commercial development, new product introduction, new market entry, cost reduction, efficiency improvement, working capital optimisation, financing, equity raising, turnaround, acquisitions and disposals. He has experience in the Public House sector having managed a number of pub businesses as receiver and advised the UKs second largest pub operator on the financial performance of its pub estate and actions to be taken to improve its profitability.
Aaron Blackwell
Higham CBS Treasurer
Day Job: Accountant
A Chartered Certified Accountant (FCCA) with over 22 years experience, currently running his own practice. During his career he has worked with small and medium owner managed businesses, spanning numerous business sectors. With a hands on approach, Aaron helps maximise company profits and efficiencies. Whether that is for an established business or a start-up.
Aaron got involved in the STOP campaign as he is passionate about the village and its need for community venues. Having moved to the village in 2016, he got to know a lot of people from spending time in the Oddies – it was and should be the heart of this community.
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Rob Parker
Finance
Day Job: Restructuring Director at Grant Thornton
Rob is a qualified Accountant (FCA) and Insolvency Practitioner, and works for a Top Accountancy firm where he has significant experience in preparing and reviewing business plans and viability studies across a range of industries, including the hospitality sector. He has been a resident in the village since 2016 and the pub has been at the heart of the community and getting to know people and sharing good times with family and friends – we want it back!
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Jason Francis
Finance
Day Job: Mortgage & Protection Advisor
Jason is a mortgage and protection advisor with a career spanning over 25 years. Having lived in the village for over 20 years, Jason is a well-liked and fully involved member of the community. He is one of the founder members of the bonfire and fireworks committee which, was hosted (for over 10 years) at the Oddfellows public house – an event that steadily grew in size to numbers in excess of 1000 people attending, before the pubs closure
Jason says "The Oddies is so much more than ‘just’ a pub, it’s the beating heart of a close-knit community."
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Jason is also Finance/Community Link for Higham CBS
Ian Shaw
Project Management
Day Job: Construction Project Management
Ian has worked in construction project management for over 20 years. During this time, he has worked across the UK, Europe and Asia for leading consultancies Turner & Townsend, Pick Everard, Hollis & Quantem. Ian has worked for clients such as St Modwen, University of Warwick, Department for International Development & several NHS Trusts. He has also developed specialism in construction contracts and disputes resolution, assisting clients with claims and resolving issues on problem projects.
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Ian & his family moved to Higham in 2016, and enjoyed going to the pub. He thinks it’s important that the village has a social hub: a location that people can use to get out of the house and meet their neighbours adds to the sense of community in the village that transcends the different groups which exist such as parents of primary school children, immediate neighbours or those involved in community events.
Adrian Barker
Advertising & Social Media
Day Job: Senior Account Director – Media Agency
Adrian is an advertising and media specialist with 14 years’ experience, working at one of the largest global media agencies. He is responsible for advertising campaigns for local, national and international brands across online and offline media channels.
Adrian moved to the village in 2012 to be part of a community and is proud that his family does just that. He wanted to be part of STOP to bring his advertising experience and spread the community’s message that we want the Oddies back. He is passionate about making sure that the communal space that the Oddies can provide is re-instated for generations to come.
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Ann Jenkins
Parish Council Representative
Day Job: Teacher (retired)
Ann came to the village in 1973 with her husband, who were both teachers working in a range of schools in the area until her retirement 12 years ago. Ann has been on the Parish Council for over 30 years and in that time have campaigned for improved footpaths, initiated the Home Zone scheme, the Doorstep Green on the King George V recreation ground and with others formulated the design and outcome of the new equipment in the park. Ann also worked with David Wilson Homes to obtain the open field now known as Moo Meadow at the rear of the new development. As a Tree warden with her husband she planted hedgerows on the cricket ground and allotment and joined with MIRA to plant 1500 trees in the old sewage works site. Ann enjoys being involved in projects that will benefit the local community.
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Ann is the Parish Council Link for Higham CBS