Our experts
Meet some of the coaches and mentors who bring their diverse skills and experience to Aspire programmes.
Ian McClelland
BAFTA winning digital producer, Media/Tech CEO and investor
Ian has worked across start-up, SME, multinational and corporate environments worldwide to help businesses launch, scale or adapt to disruption. He is a BAFTA winning digital producer, media/tech CEO and investor in start-up and growth stage TMT businesses.
Previously founding CEO of Guardian Australia and currently CEO of Be-A Education Ltd; he is also a Venture Partner at Ascension Ventures, founder of The Ramp Partnership advisory and a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD). Ian is based in the UK and sits on the board of several UK & Australian start-ups and scale-ups.
“Know your weaknesses. Find your blind spots.”
Nicola Forbes-Taylor
Empowering leaders for a new world of corporate and cultural opportunity
Nicola is a people aficionado; a student of human interaction and dynamics, an executive leader and coach.
She brings perspective from her work with leaders from London’s tech start-ups and scale-ups, and her experience as an executive leader in said start-ups.
She also brings insight through her experience working in a range of corporates including O2, Stella McCartney Italia, Utilities and Engineering.
“Ask powerful questions.”
Duncan Knight
2-time founder, business growth and investment advisor
Duncan is a 2-time founder, business growth and investment advisor. He has worked for more than 30 years in the UK, Australia, Asia, Europe and the US.
His primary business skills and experience include scaling founders and teams around sales & marketing and preparing for and gaining investment from institutional investors.
Duncan co-founded and managed 2 businesses for 16 years. Most recently as the CEO & CTO of MyCognition, a disruptive HealthTech startup which has gained CE marking and NHS approval as a software medical device.
“Use your gut to make assuptions.”
Noreen Cesareo
SME entrepreneur, enterprise education and women’s economic empowerment advocate
Noreen is an International Trade, Strategic Marketing and Communications specialist with an international private enterprise and entrepreneurial background.
As a SME entrepreneur and a certified woman-owned business, she has actively promoted inclusion and diversity in supply chains and business models as well as pushed for enterprise education and women’s economic empowerment.
“Be curious and
truly understand your market."
Paula Reid
Adventurer, psychologist, business leader and first British woman to both ski to the South Pole and sail round-the-world
Paula is an adventurer, psychologist and business leader. She is the first British woman to ski to the South Pole and Yacht Race round-the-world.
Paula draws on her extreme adventuring experience, extensive business acumen and Masters in Applied Positive Psychology to help individuals and organisations survive, cope, and thrive in uncertain and challenging conditions.
“Survive and thrive in challenging times.”
Annabell Gast
Helping over 300 businesses to develop the right mindset for growth
Annabell Gast is a business and leadership coach with an international background. She has assisted around 1,000 businesses and supported over 300 businesses directly, as a coach.
She worked closely with founders, helping them to develop the growth mindset, confidence and self-awareness needed to enable business growth.
In her business “Oh My Gast”, Annabell works with co-founder teams to resolve conflict and supports them in their journey to communicate more effectively to strengthen their relationships.
