GL Ambassadors Programme

We know Gloucestershire is a great place to do business, but it doesn’t hurt to spread the word. Our GL Ambassadors play a vital role in this by promoting all the county has to offer and helping us achieve our goals.

Our Ambassadors have made a huge difference throughout the county over the past few years, and, as volunteers, they’ve dedicated thousands of hours to help Gloucestershire grow – from helping young people get into work with practice interviews, being an active member of one of our sector groups or campaigning for action from the government to improve our infrastructure and much, much more.

Get involved

If you think you have the drive and passion to make a difference, we want to hear from you! Email info@gfirstlep.com or complete our enquiry form to find out more about becoming a GL Ambassador.

Who are our GL Ambassadors?

We’re proud to have over 700 GL Ambassadors, and here are just a few of our Gloucestershire superstars …

Ruth Dooley

Ruth is a partner at Hazlewoods and the current Chair of GFirst LEP’s Business and Professional Services business group. She also sits on the Management Board of The Growth Hub.

Anne Dawson

Anne Dawson is a broadcaster and journalist that leads the Media School at the University of Gloucestershire, and is a member of the Creative business group.

Phil Mitchell

Phil is a co-founder of Harbour Key and a Chartered Tax Adviser. He is a member of GFirst LEP’s Banking and Finance business group, where he assists in delivering free advice sessions on accessing business finance.

Clive Lewis

Clive is an active member of the Business and Professional Services business group. He is a skilled facilitator and provider of market data, with a focus on the aerospace and security sectors.

John Henry Looney

John has over 32 years’ experience in delivering environmental and sustainability projects. He has a strong technical, business and project management background, and is an active member of GFirst LEP’s Energy business group.

Qing Lin

Qing Lin from Join in China has been recognised for her active work promoting tourism links between China and Gloucestershire, and she runs regular events regarding the benefits of trading in Hong Kong and China.

James Ashe

James is the managing partner of Alias, a PR, marketing and design consultancy. With over 15 years' experience working with some of the biggest brands in the world, him and his team now advise Gloucestershire’s brightest businesses on marketing strategy.

Polly Barnfield

Polly Barnfield OBE is Founder and CEO of Maybe*. Maybe* is a platform that eliminates the gap between how consumers use technology and how businesses are able to connect with them. It has been used to deliver the

#WDYT campaign which is helping High Streets evolve.

In 2012 Polly was awarded an OBE for services to Philanthropy.

Russell Marchant

Russell has been Principal and CEO of Hartpury College since September 2012. He is also a member of GFirst LEP’s Rural & Land Based business group and has been newly appointed to the LEP Employment & Skills Board.

Sam Holliday

Sam Holliday is the Development Manager for the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) in Gloucestershire. He works with, and for, the thousands of FSB members in the county and is passionate about supporting and promoting small businesses and Gloucestershire itself.

Claire Thayers

Claire Thayers, Corporate and Community engagement manager, Folk2Folk, the local lending movement, also heads up the Association of Gloucestershire Business Groups, created to support our business groups in our towns.

Claire also sits on our Visitor Economy & Tourism Business Group.