Meet the Team
Ceri Jones
ION Leadership Programme Director & Director - Research, Engagement and Innovation Services, Swansea University
Ceri holds the position of Programme Director of ION Leadership and Director of the Research, Engagement and Innovation Services.
He directs the Business Development, IP Commercialisation, Research Support and European Funding operations of the University and has extensive experience in research and innovation and a strong understanding of the link between business and academia.
Ceri was Assistant Director of the University’s Knowledge Exploitation Centre, Acting Head of the Research and Innovation Office and Deputy Director of Research and Innovation before taking up his current role. He has been the driving force behind a number of the University’s strategic business projects including; LEAD Wales, Dragon Innovation Partnership, Enterprise Europe Network, Knowledge Exchange Wales, A4B and Knowledge Transfer Partnerships. With significant experience in the area of entrepreneurship and SME engagement, Ceri is passionate about the role that Universities can play in the development of the knowledge economy.
Suzanne Parry Jones
Project Lead & Programme Manager, Swansea University
Suzanne gained 25 years’ experience in a variety of business sectors including advertising sales, recruitment, and medical sales before qualifying as a coaching psychologist and launching her own business as a coach and leadership development specialist. Bringing a wealth of commercial acumen to the role, Suzanne is passionate about people and enabling them to develop fulfilment in their working lives and she strives to empower teams to work towards their goals.
Adam Fairbank
Marketing & Delegate Recruitment Manager, Swansea University
With over 20 years marketing experience, Adam joined the ION team in 2018 as strategic marketing lead. With responsibility for the marketing and recrutiment of all our courses and events, Adam is also responsible for increasing our brand awareness. A University of Glamorgan and Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) graduate, Adam has previously worked in the private sector and most recently worked in the public sector for over 15 years.
Sibil Gruntar Vilfan
Project Officer, Swansea University
Sibil is a Project Officer, supporting the delivery, operations, and compliance verification functions of the team. Sibil joined ION after recently spending 3 years working in the Legal department at Amazon in Luxembourg.
Clare Phillips
Finance Manager, MAAT, FCCA, MBA, Swansea University
Clare is a qualified accountant and has over 20 years experience in audit and accountancy both in the public and private sectors. She has also tutored accountancy degree at Swansea University in the past and is passionate for people to achieve their full potential.
Mannon Briggs
Project Assistant, Bangor University
Mannon has over 12 years’ experience working within a University environment. She has worked on the LEAD Wales programme and has a wealth of knowledge in event management. She is also Treasurer for Bethesda Cricket Club.
Lorraine Hopkins
Programme Manager, Bangor University
Lorraine's career began as a researcher within a multidisciplinary team of economists and psychologists commissioned by the Health & Safety Executive to identify a statistical value of life. Lorraine then turned her hand to establishing the first North Wales regional office of the charity of Arts & Business Cymru, an organisation that partners business with the arts for mutual benefit, and she is currently a non-executive trustee of the arts organisation Articulture, who promote outdoor arts in the creative economy. In 2011, Lorraine joined the family business in Home Improvements based on Anglesey, with responsibility for finance and HR. As Co-Director she was responsible for a team of 25 who developed a high growth company that became a market leader in its field. Throughout her varied career, Lorraine has continued to teach adults returning to learning at night school and most recently consolidated her experience, qualifying as an Executive Coach. It was her passion as an Educator that returned her to academia and to take a post with the ION leadership team at Bangor University.
Brian Pigott - ION Steering Group Member
Director & General Manager, Macro Cable Management
Brian is an ex-ION delegate.
As a ION Steering Group member, Brian gives strategic direction to the ION programme.
Ieuan Wyn Jones - ION Steering Group Member
Director - Menai Science Park
As a ION Steering Group member, Ieuan gives strategic direction to the ION programme.
Mike Learmond - ION Steering Group Member
Senior Development Manager - FSB North Wales
As a ION Steering Group member, Mike gives strategic direction to the ION programme.
Ian Rees - ION Steering Group Member
Chair - Wales Management Council
As a ION Steering Group member, Ian gives strategic direction to the ION programme.
Rob Basini - ION Steering Group Member
FSB Development Manager (South Wales)
As a ION Steering Group member, Rob gives strategic direction to the ION programme.
Dr. Siwan Mitchlemore - ION Steering Group Member
Senior Lecturer in Business & Management - Bangor University
As an ION Steering Group member, Siwan gives strategic direction to the ION programme.
Emma Dunbar - ION Steering Group Member
Head of Engagement, Innovation & Entrepreneurship - Swansea University
As an ION Steering Group member, Emma gives strategic direction to the ION programme.
Stephen Jones - ION Steering Group Member
Senior Lecturer, Management School - Bangor University
As an ION Steering Group member, Stephen gives strategic direction to the ION programme.
