Our People

Having attained a first-class MBA from Cambridge University, Jane has managed brand strategy and innovation projects for companies with global brand reach for the past 20 years. Her experience covers strategic planning, value proposition development, qualitative and quantitative market research and brand management. 

Jane set up Groundswell Innovation in 2008 as an independent agency specialising in the commercialisation of new ideas.

Until early 2020, she was a Lancashire Board member for the Institute of Directors. She has now taken up a new voluntary post on Lancashire LEP’s Innovation Board and sits on the Dean's Council of Lancaster University Management school.

Jane also supports Northern Power Women, a not-for-profit campaign working to increase gender diversity in the workplace from the North of England. 

Claire has over 15 years experience in business development, ethical business strategy and sustainability for the Co-op Group, the Institute of Directors and the Institute of Physics.

Responsible for substantially building the reach of the IOD brand in the North-West region, Claire then moved on, to develop an ambitious strategy and change programme for IOP.

At the Co-op Group, Claire devised nationwide member engagement campaigns on issues including trade justice, climate change and human rights, where she used innovative channels such as movies, theatre and photography to drive member interest and action.

She was on the Board of a film academy for young people and led a £1.3m cross-sectoral business advice programmes for co-ops, managing over 135 business advisors across the UK.
She is a trustee for Forever Manchester, the community foundation for Greater Manchester, and an adviser for The Blair Project, a trailblazing social enterprise that provides opportunities for young people to participate in the green tech revolution.

She also runs a network for LGBT Directors and Leaders.