Who are we?
The Bury Business Leaders Group is collaboration between local business leaders and Team Bury (Bury's strategic partnership) to improve communication, understanding and a joint commitment to support the wider economic development of the borough.
We have been working together since April 2016 with a remit of putting business growth, innovation and entrepreneurialism at the heart of what the public sector do.
We are a group of individuals from a diverse range and size of businesses across the borough. We are supported by the elected Leader of Bury Council and the Chief Executive who represent Bury's public sector.
Our vision: "To foster a vibrant and dynamic Bury, building on our entrepreneurial culture, to enable residents to take advantage of a well-connected economy."
Details of the members of Bury Business Leaders Group
Please note an updated Member's list coming soon
Andrew Roberts
Managing Director / Avoira Ltd.
I left college at 17 and started work at Avoira Ltd (formerly known as Pennine) as an apprentice engineer. I continued to obtain my City & Guilds Qualifications at night school. Over the years, although I have only worked for one company, I have had roles in engineering, sales, marketing and business management. In 2003 I led a successful management buyout and became Managing Director.
I have an interest in technology and skills especially the STEM subjects.
I am a Fellow of the IET (The Institution of Engineering and Technology), Fellow of The RSA (Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce), Chair of Governors Bolton College, Member of Rossendale Business Leaders Forum, Bury President of Manchester Chamber of Commerce, a Primary School Governor and Trustee of Youth Work Charity which aims to improve the life chances Young People in the local area.
Phil Fellone
Representing Best of Bury businesses.
Thebestofbury has been established for over 12 years and we market and promote the best local businesses connecting them to thousands of other local businesses and to tens of thousands of local Bury people. We do this via many channels including, networking, exhibitions, billboards, banners, social media, newsletters and word of mouth.
Made in Bury Ltd - Delivering premier events, awards, exhibitions and a Business Academy in Bury, including:
- The Made in Bury Business Awards.
- The North West's Premier Business Fair.
- The Made in Bury Business Academy.
- The Made in Bury Brunch Club
- The Made in Bury Business Draw
Eamonn O'Brien
Council Leader / Bury Council.
Eamonn was appointed leader of Bury Council in May 2020.
Eamonn has represented St Mary's ward in Prestwich since 2014 and has been cabinet member for finance and housing since 2017.
Eamonn works at the head office of a national charity managing the office administration.
He was educated at St Monica's RC High School in Prestwich and Holy Cross College in Bury. He gained a BA (History and Politics) and MA (History) from University of Manchester. He also set up the country's first student-led food bank in central Manchester.
Keith Fairhurst
Molygran.
Molygran is a family business and is recognised as the leading polystyrene convertor in the North West.
With almost 40 years' experience converting and supplying expanded polystyrene (EPS), we are the go-to company for jobs requiring innovative design and precision tooling. We can profile cut any shape you want. Our reputation for exceptional customer service and quality is second to none.
As managing director, I bring experiences gained in many industries. Qualifying as a chartered accountant I quickly moved into lean manufacturing; animal feeds; call centres and finally twenty years of consulting.
Lucy Clark
Managing Director - Dream Agility.
I am the CEO and co-founder of Dream Agility which is an award winning software company based in Ramsbottom. We provide cutting edge web based software enabling companies who manage Google shopping to increase traffic to their websites and improve return on investment.
We are a Google and Bing Certified Partner, recently winning the EMEEA Google Partners 2016 New Business Award in Berlin. Other awards include Start up of the Year winner at FDM Everywoman in Technology Award and Digital Professional of the Year at the Made in Manchester awards.
I am a qualified engineer, starting my career working as a designer before moving into engineering recruitment. In 2002 I decided on a radical career change, launching myself as a 'flirt guru', author and international speaker, helping businesses to shine in their chosen field. I have worked for many blue chip brands helping to endorse their products and have written a number of best selling non-fiction books, including 'Flirting for Dummies', published by Wiley as part of this well know series.
In 2012 I became co-founder and Chief Executive of Dream Agility and I am also the Director and Technology Partner at Jewellers Ark, the UK's fastest growing independent on-line jewellery retailer.
Kadant UK
Kadant UK has been operating from our Winterburn, Woodhill Road, Bury site since 1973. Our talented team of 85 people, designs and manufactures highly-engineered structures and unique, patented composites of glass and carbon fibre in specially developed, nanotechnology enhanced resins. Kadant UK is the global research & development and production centre for these special composites for all Kadant's operations around the world.
We serve well known customers throughout the UK and over 75% of everything we make is exported around the world to customers who need our products and expertise to keep their production processes operating continuously and efficiently. Kadant UK is growing as new customers seek out our expertise and we are constantly on the look-out for more talented people to join us. We are very proud to contribute to Bury, Manchester and indeed the wider UK economy.
Mike Goodier
Cheetham Hill Construction Ltd.
Established in 1966, Cheetham Hill Construction Ltd are a civil engineering contractor based in Bury who work throughout the country undertaking a variety of work types, including pipelines, wind farms, household waste recycling centres, public realm, highway infrastructure, land remediation and reclamation, many on a design and build basis. We are currently on frameworks with Environment Agency and Northern Gas Networks across the North of England.
I commenced working for the company in 1999 on completion of a Civil Engineering BEng (Hons) degree and have worked my way up from Setting Out Engineer to my current position of Director. I became a member of the Bury Business Leadership Group to form links and relationships with other local companies, and to understand opportunities within the local area.
Angela Merotto
Thumps Up (Bury) Ltd.
I am the Company Secretary at Thumps Up (Bury) Limited, a manufacturer of plastic products located in Greenfield. Thumbs Up formed in 1980 and rapidly gained a reputation for being one of the most innovative companies in its field.