EntreConf Awards Judges
Ama Williams
Devon Ambassador • Tech West England Advocates
Ama grew up in Devon and is a keen supporter of innovation across the South West; primarily via the Tech West England Advocates (TWEA), which champions regional tech growth and entrepreneurship. Ama has worked in regional innovation roles for universities and national organisations such as Tech Nation. In recent years, she has worked on international business incubator programs, supporting businesses across the globe with growth and strategic insights.
Ash Philips
Founder & Chair • Rebellious Co
Ash Phillips is an award-winning startup advisor, consultant, speaker and founder of Rebellious Co – an impact organisation that creates initiatives to support entrepreneurs. Their famed Rebel Meetups now span 8 countries and have connected over 19,000 people to date, generating thousands of jobs, multiple exits, over £100m in company valuations. Over the past 10 years, Ash has advised over 1,000 founders directly and via programmes, investing in a number along the way, one such startup being Bristol's golden child, Ecologi, which has since planted over 87 million trees globally and others subsequently securing Tier 1 VC investments.
Belinda Houghton-Jones
Assistant Director • Brewin Dolphin
Belinda joined RBC Brewin Dolphin Cardiff in 2016, supporting the personalised wealth management business to help clients prepare and work towards financial freedom. Today, Belinda is responsible for Strategic Partnerships, essentially identifying and building mutually beneficial, long-term relationships across Wales and West and is an advocate for Women in Leadership. An Assistant Director, Belinda began her professional service career in the legal sector in Cardiff, then London in 1995 moving to an executive support role at Allen & Overy in 1997. In 2008 she became Project Support Manager & Executive Officer at Geldards, Cardiff before moving to RBC Brewin Dolphin to work on projects and operations. Belinda is a qualified Agile Project Manager and is ILM qualified to Level 5. Outside of RBC Brewin Dolphin, Belinda enjoys the arts, music and spending time with family and friends.
Kate Duggan
Associate Director • Evelyn Partners
Kate has extensive experience as an Investment Manager in both South Africa and the UK. She has built long-standing relationships and offers personalized investment advice and portfolio management to a diverse clientele, including high-net-worth individuals, business owners, entrepreneurs, and their families. Kate is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI) and serves as the Vice-President of the CISI Bristol and Bath committee.
Georg Gruber
CEO • Nandos
Georg is an international leader whose passion is growing purpose led, consumer facing businesses. Passionate about unleashing people talent and brand potential into sustainable business results, with social impact. Concerned about creating a healthier and more sustainable future for our children. Currently Chairman of Nando’s Grocery and advisor in the commercial growth and transformation space. Previously CEO of Nando’s grocery business for 14 years, serving a purpose of changing lives and making Nando’s one of the best loved restaurant brands in the world, by putting people at the heart of the business, and sharing the spirit of PERi-PERI with all. Nando’s grocery sales now exceed $100m in over 25 countries, with all Nando’s Birds Eye Chillies sourced through smallholder farmers. Early career in Marketing and General Management across Europe with Proctor & Gamble and Cadbury Schweppes, including Director of Cadbury Southern Africa. Founding partner of an international management consultancy, Weben Group/In-Deed Consulting, and MD for Africa Middle East, Latam & Europe. Experienced in corporate and family-owned business leadership roles. Broad functional experience across strategy, marketing and sales, with specialist knowledge in value based finance, supply chain operations, brand licensing & M&A. Sector experience covers FMCG and Retail, with forays in Banking, Agriculture and Tourism. Georg was born in South Africa, raised in the Cape and lives in the UK, with his wife Belinda, a clinical psychologist. They have three grown up daughters Mia, Rafi and Lilli. Georg mentors extensively, and is personally invested in several early stage consumer focused businesses like Leaf sheet detergents, Ember biltong, Remeo gelato, Blue Turaco robusta coffee. In his free time, Georg enjoys a variety of outdoor and aerial pursuits.
Madelaine Thomas
Founder • Image Angel
Madelaine Thomas is the founder of Image Angel, a company dedicated to combating non-consensual intimate image (NCII) abuse online. In response to the prevalence of such abuses, Image Angel developed invisible watermarking technology that embeds unique, unremovable fingerprints into images. This innovation allows platforms to trace unauthorised sharing back to the perpetrator, enhancing user safety and platform accountability. This survivor-led deterrent has been recommended as best practice by the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
Max Bawden
Senior Advisor • Isio
Max is a Senior Advisor within Isio’s Private Capital team, providing independent advice to individuals and their families. He specialises in creating tailored investment strategies, establishing family governance structures and acting as an outsourced CIO. With over a decade of experience, Max has been a trusted advisor to clients from various backgrounds, including entrepreneurs selling their businesses and families planning generational wealth transfers. Recognised as one of the 2025 PAM NextGen Leaders, Max is a CFA Charterholder and holds the Investment Management Certificate (IMC).
