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.
Tony Burnett
Leadership Development Specialist, Swansea University
Tony has over 30 years experience in leadership and senior management roles in the UK and Brazil. He has started and developed businesses, programmes and projects in public, private and third sector organisations including Coca Cola Schweppes and the British Council. Tony’s “know how” and experience includes business operational leadership, teacher and educational management which he feels contributes massively to his involvement in the ION Leadership programmes.
Jill Davies
Leadership Development Specialist, Swansea University
Jill has held management roles in major UK organisations and has been involved in training and development for over 20 years. She has worked with over 100 SMEs giving practical help and advice on running their business, managing and developing their staff and is a registered Investors in people specialist. She is also Chair of Governors at her local Primary School.
Vichy Bevan-Jones
Leadership Development Specialist, Swansea University
Vichy has worked in the private sector as a Marketing Manager mainly within the construction industry, working alongside large companies such as DeWalt and Travis Perkins designing promotions and branding initiatives. Her specialty was branding and brand enhancement, and has provided consultancy support to various businesses across South Wales to increase brand recognition and development. She recently worked with her husband in their IT business which provides ICT support to SME’s across South Wales. During this time Vichy completed her NVQ assessor award, leading her into the further education sector working for Coleg Sir Gâr as an assessor for ILM. Vichy has spent 3+ years in Coleg Sir Gâr straddling both apprenticeships and further education delivering ILM and teaching Essential Skills Qualifications.
Andrew Veevers
Leadership Development Specialist, Swansea University
Andrew has 20yrs + experience working in learning, talent, training, and development working with brands such as Selfridges, Scope, 2 Sisters Food Group, Williams Medical Supplies, Bupa, PCI Pharma and Dreams. These roles included everything from administrator to Director, an amazing journey that gives Andrew a great foundation for ION. We are also sure that all of our delegates will benefit hugely from Andrew's knowledge and experience.
Kim Talbot
Leadership Development Specialist, Swansea University
In her twenties Kim had experience of co-establishing and running two successful businesses in diverse sectors before moving into a number of management roles in businesses across Wales and the South West. During this time her passion for supporting the development of others became an increasing priority as she began to recognise the value of leading and working with teams who had a growth mind-set.
Shelly Evans
Executive Business Coach, Swansea University
Shelly has been coaching since 2006 and an Executive Business coach since 2015. With over 15 years of coaching experience, Shelly has worked across most sectors including health, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, education, sales, and marketing. Shelly has worked with clients from most European Countries, as well as the UAE, Japan, China, and Australia.
Adam Fairbank
Marketing & Delegate Recruitment Manager, Swansea University
With nearly 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.
Kaye Harris-John
Recruitment Lead, Swansea University
Kaye joined the team in February 2020 as our Recruitment Officer. Kaye has over 20 years Business Development and Recruitment experience, is a Big Ideas Wales Role Model, a Business Wales Mentor and also runs her own Business Consultancy.
Kaye was an Institute of Directors ‘Director of the Year’ finalist in 2019 and the Women in Business Awards ‘Best Networker’ in 2019.
Kaye has developed an extensive pan-Wales, cross-sector network of business owners and leaders. Her ability to build lasting relationships with a varied client base has enabled her to have a broad view of training and development needs. As a Champion for Welsh Business from the get-go, Kaye is a positive addition to the award-winning ION program.
Sibil Grunlarvilfan
Project Assistant, Swansea University
Sibil is a Project Assistant, 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.
Charlotte James
Project Assistant, Swansea University
Charlotte provides administrative support to the Leadership Development Specialists at ION Leadership. After graduating from Swansea University with a degree in psychology, Charlotte went on to gain administrative experience working for a tech-start-up company.
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.
Pauline Bowe
Learning & Development Manager, Bangor University
Pauline has over 34 years’ experience in both public and private sector organisations in a variety of roles including supporting and developing people. As a Member of the British Psychological Society and Principal Practitioner member of the Association of Business Psychologists, she has coached and mentored senior leaders and facilitated leadership and coaching courses to level 7. Her specialisms include Mental Toughness and 360 feedback competency frameworks.
Kathryn Roberts
Learning & Development Officer, Bangor University
As a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (FCIPD) Katy has over 25 years of HR and Leadership Development experience gained within a number of leading UK and international organisations. Having begun her HR Career within the retail sector for Safeway, Makro and House of Fraser, Katy took on more Senior and strategic HR and Leadership Development roles within the Finance sector for Citigroup and Bank of America (MBNA), heading up the Employee Relations, Associate satisfaction, Reward and Recognition teams. Katy was a founding member of the European Diversity Council for Bank of America (MBNA).
Debbie Green - ION Steering Group Member
Chief Executive, Coastal Housing
As an ION Steering Group member, Debbie gives strategic direction to the ION programme.
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.
