Speed Mentoring: Mid-Year Business Reboot

With nearly 20 years’ experience, Michael has worked with global organisations such as NHS, MTV, Diabetes UK and Nokia, as well as start-ups like Franklin Scholars and Mixcloud. An award-winning brand strategist, he partners with clients to unlock their full potential through a collaborative, step-by-step approach. Michael is a graduate of Central Saint Martins, UWE and Oxford University and is passionate about helping entrepreneurs join the top 10% of successful businesses.

Fashion Angel is a business support agency dedicated to helping fashion entrepreneurs build successful and sustainable brands. With over 15 years’ experience running her own label, Alison has also consulted for leading names like Preen and Matthew Williamson, and previously served as Commercial Director at the Fashion and Textile Museum. Through Fashion Angel, she offers mentoring and training and to guide designers from concept to commercial success.

Bob has spent over twenty years advising entrepreneurs and small businesses on getting their new products to market. He regularly runs Innovation Clinics at the British Library.

Innovators who would like to present their idea should contact Bob Lindsey on blindsey@thamesproductions.co.uk.

In 2015 she became a fulltime self-published author and has a PhD in Creative Writing. She has been the Leverhulme Trust Writer in Residence at the British Library and written and published seventeen books, including twelve historical fiction novels, non-fiction and a picture book for children.

Rasheed Ogunlaru is a leading life coach, motivational speaker, and business and leadership coach. Rasheed is a delivery partner for the British Library’s Business & IP Centre and author of Soul Trader – Putting the Heart Back into Your Business.

Drawing on his extensive experience managing openings for brands like Pizza Express and Starbucks both in the UK and internationally, Vasken applies proven operational efficiencies to help new entrepreneurs succeed. His background also includes roles in quality assurance, FoodTech and RestaurantTech advising and franchise development.

Having licensed over 23 inventions and launched multiple million-selling product lines, Stefan is also author of the AI-enhanced Design Compass tool, empowering entrepreneurs to make confident design decisions, de-risk development and bring sustainable innovation to market with lasting impact.

combining over 35 years of marketing communications experience with a lifelong passion for photography. Since launching her business in 2013, Sam has worked on both commercial and social photography projects for clients including the British Library, Network Rail and London St Pancras. Her portfolio includes events featuring public figures such as the late Queen and Sir Elton John, and over 200 weddings across the globe, from Australia to the US.

As Founder and CEO of Hatch Ideas, she supports entrepreneurs to drive social impact and cultural change and specialises in supporting entrepreneurs in the Creative and Cultural Industries. In 2024 she listed among the UK’s top 100 African business leaders. Yemisi delivers mentoring and development programmes for clients such as the British Library and the European Commission, nurturing entrepreneurs to develop sustainable ventures.