Simon Mead Chief Executive
“I have helped to support growing businesses for the best part of a decade – I believe in supporting the entrepreneur as an individual and have worked in business support, social enterprise and the education sector. Running Colbea gives me the opportunity to build upon this and develop a network of connected companies that can learn, grow and trade with each other.
I have a strong sales and marketing background and have successfully developed and executed strategies encompassing all media, partnerships, relationship sales and in field team management. I have worked in hi-tech, on-line, media, broadcast and financial service industries and am experienced in working with Local Government, the Health Services, Public Services and in the Non for Profit sector.
I used to say that I love sport and running, climbing mountains at weekends and spending time with my family but the truth is most of those things have killed my knees and so I have to live these dreams vicariously through my children!”
Simon Mead | LinkedIn
Craig Baston Chief Operating Officer
Craig oversees the delivery of Colbea’s support services. He has over a decade and a half of operational management experience spanning managed service delivery, management consultancy, learning & development and business support. Craig is Colbea’s resident pun-enthusiast and is the great, great, great nephew of the inventor of the radio.
Craig Baston | LinkedIn
Parris Andrews Facilities & Contracts Manager
Has worked in Facilities Management for a number of years and was initially approached to consider it as a career option because of her positive, can-do attitude. She has qualifications in business administration, customer service and health and safety. She recently completed her advanced diploma in Facilities Management.
Outside of work she is mum to a teenager and two bunnies, Bun-yonce and Bun- Z. She is a real foodie and spends her weekends lunching with the girls.
Parris Laidler | LinkedIn
Laura Mayne Programme Delivery Officer
Laura has operated within economic development focused organisations for over six years, supporting businesses at all stages of their journey.
With a strong passion for support in both a personal and professional capacity, Laura focuses on the day-to-day management of Colbea’s funded support programmes, which leads to daily interactions with clients to identify their needs, through to working alongside stakeholders and partners to co-ordinate delivery, share insights gleaned from business engagement whilst producing reports based on KPIs.
Outside of work, the majority of Laura’s time is spent socialising with loved ones whilst also catching some time in the gym or eating a copious amount of Italian food.
Laura Mayne | LinkedIn
