Robert is a qualified chartered accountant and a serial entrepreneur. He has owned businesses at home and overseas for more than 30 years operating in various sectors including water treatment, publishing and sheet metal manufacturing. He has a keen interest in how to develop and grow small businesses and in 1995 he founded and promoted the idea of Regional Venture Capital Funds. He has been chairman of the investment scrutiny committee of the world’s largest biotechnology investment trust and director of the UK’s leading trade association for the water treatment and supply industry. Robert is a member of the Regional Strategy Board of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and is currently Chair of Brunel University spin out Testavec Ltd, who specialise in Gene Therapy safety testing.