Business,
Innovation
& Growth
Summit

Michelle Reeves

Senior Manager, Policy and Programmes, GLA & London Research & Policy Partnership

Dr Michelle Reeves is Head of the GLA’s Strategy Team, and Co-Founder of the London Research and Policy Partnership (LRaPP) with Professor Ben Rogers, University of London. She is an experienced project leader, policymaker, and researcher with a track-record of delivering high-profile and complex projects in regeneration, cultural and creative industries, and sport. These include 12-years working in a variety of roles shaping the legacy of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and setting up the London Recovery Programme to address the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Paul Kirkbright

Head of Knowledge Exchange and Partnerships, South London Partnership & BIG South London

Paul Kirkbright is Programme Director at BIG South London, which leads the development of a world-class ecosystem of innovation and enterprise based collaboration to stimulate knowledge-based growth and improve productivity right across the South London region.

BIG South London brings together knowledge and expertise to support the growth, development and success of all South London-based businesses, charities, and third-sector organisations through its partner universities and further education colleges.

Peter Mayhew

Principal & CEO, South Thames Colleges Group

I’ve worked as a Lifelong Learning practitioner for thirty years now, starting out as a community education tutor in west London in 1988 before moving to manage the Basic and Key Skills provision at South Thames College. I moved to Lewisham College in 1998 as Head of Key Skills, progressing to Director of Faculty with a remit for General Education, Adult Education, Basic and Key Skills, ESOL, learning disabilities and learning support, and becoming Vice-Principal for Quality and Curriculum Development in 2006.

In April 2010 I became Principal of Kingston College and then Principal of both Kingston and Carshalton Colleges in 2011, when the two colleges federated, forming the first College group of its kind and overseeing £45m-worth of learning in south-west London. In 2013 Kingston College was graded ‘Good’ by Ofsted for the first time ever; Carshalton also secured its first ever ‘Good’ grade shortly after, in 2014. In 2017, Kingston College, Carshalton College and South Thames College merged to become South Thames financial Colleges Group. I was appointed Group Principal and Chief Executive and have led the Group since then to ‘Outstanding’ financial health and a ‘Good’ Ofsted grade in 2020.

Richard Keogh

Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and External Engagement) at the University of Roehampton

Dr Richard Keogh is Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and External Engagement) at the University of Roehampton, where he has responsibility for the development and implementation of the University’s Research and Knowledge Exchange Strategy. He is a passionate advocate for co-produced research, social impact, and the delivery of vocational education in the community, and for the community. Richard has generated over £7m grant income to support capital development and social impact initiatives.

Stephen King

Head of Business and Enterprise, London Councils

London Councils represents the 32 boroughs, plus the City.  Stephen leads their work around business and enterprise but also supports the London Council’s work on infrastructure delivery, including the next steps on the London Infrastructure Framework which for the first time brings together a pipeline of strategic infrastructure projects for London with pan-London cross-party support in one place.  Stephen has worked in London’s local government for many years, as well as in the private sector.