Industrial Advisory Board

Richard Blackmore is Director of External Affairs at East Midlands Chamber, leading the organisation's policy, membership, commercial partnerships, international trade, events and training operations. A member of the Senior Leadership Team, he works with business leaders, government and regional stakeholders to champion the interests of East Midlands businesses and drive economic growth. Richard previously spent nine years at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), including seven as Midlands Director. He is an experienced advocate, strategist and public speaker with a strong track record in policy development, stakeholder engagement, commercial growth and business representation across the Midlands.

Dr Leya Luhar is a doctor and the founder of OSCE Toolbox Ltd, a multi-award-winning UK platform that helps pharmacy students prepare for their clinical exams. A University of Leicester graduate and member of the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme, she builds and uses AI agents to run her businesses and brings a founder's view on using AI responsibly in regulated sectors, including healthcare and education.

Angela Orton is Managing Director of Structural Adhesives, a Kings Award for Enterprise in Innovation recipient and a multi- award-winning Leicestershire business providing advanced manufacturing and specialist laboratory services, where she leads research, development and innovation in adhesion. Her career has spanned industrial design, teaching and careers education before progressing into manufacturing and business leadership. She works closely with universities on collaborative research and the practical application of innovation, and has a particular interest in how AI can be adopted responsibly by SMEs to improve productivity and competitiveness. Alongside her business role, Angela is an Ambassador for Leicestershire Business Voice and a Community Governor at Gateway College. She brings experience across manufacturing, education and regional business engagement, with a strong interest in developing people and strengthening links between education and industry.

Trent Powell is Head of AI Solutions at Transparity, where he leads the firm's AI consulting practice and advises organisations on the strategic adoption of artificial intelligence. Working with executive leadership teams across the public and private sectors, he helps organisations transform emerging AI capabilities into practical, scalable solutions that deliver measurable business value. His experience spans technology leadership, digital transformation, data, product development and AI, with a particular focus on establishing the governance, operating models and organisational capabilities required to move beyond experimentation and achieve sustainable AI adoption. Trent brings a strongly commercial perspective to technology, combining deep technical expertise with a focus on innovation, workforce transformation and value realisation. He is particularly interested in the role of AI in shaping future skills, organisational competitiveness and economic growth, and is passionate about strengthening the connection between industry, education and the development of the next generation of AI talent.

Martin Sandhu is the CEO of nuom, a healthtech consultancy that helps organisations develop digital products through strategy, design, development. He is also the founder of Tech East Midlands (TechEM), an independent industry voice connecting the region’s technology, innovation and startup ecosystem. With 20+ years’ experience building and scaling tech businesses, Martin brings industry expertise across product strategy, technology, business building and AI implementation.

Dillan Shikotra is the Managing Director of Microtech, a technology and cybersecurity business supporting organisations across the UK. Since acquiring the company in 2023, he has led its growth and expansion. With a background in computer science, Dillan has a particular interest in how technology, cybersecurity and AI can help businesses become more productive and resilient. Alongside Microtech, Dillan is an elected District Councillor and a Board Director of Leicestershire Business Voice, bringing together experience in business, technology and the wider community.

Matt Wilkinson is the founder and CEO of Strivenn, a Visiting Fellow at Cranfield School of Management, and a director of the Association for Key Account Management (AKAM). His work focuses on how AI is reshaping sales, marketing and commercialisation, particularly in life sciences and other regulated industries. Before founding Strivenn, Matt held senior commercial, marketing and e-commerce roles in the life sciences and led major client accounts at specialist agencies. He holds a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Bristol and an MBA from Cranfield University. Named in Marketing Week's CX50 2026, Matt is also the author of The Buyer in the Loop, which examines why the buyer disappears from commercial decisions and how grounded synthetic customers keep them in the room.