Volunteer Speaker Profiles: Meet the Presenters
Our volunteer speakers come from a wide background and all share a common success. Here each speaker presents a brief profile.
Lisa Green
Lisa Green partner at Foreman Laws Solicitors in Hitchin and former Bedwell School (now Marriotts) student, left after sixth form to work for Provident Mutual after achieving average A-level results.
After one year in the commercial world Lisa went to the City of London University, studying Business Law, before going on to achieve First Class Honours in her law society finals at the college of Law. Lisa will provide a great insight into the personal hurdles she faced, coming from an ordinary background to become a successful commercial Solicitor and Partner advising many of the regions leading companies and entrepreneurs in acquisitions and sales whilst balancing all this, with motherhood.
Mark Hubbocks
Mark Hubbocks at 30 years old, is one of the youngest ever partners in Stevenage based Wagstaffs Chartered Accountants 50 year history. He left his state comprehensive school in Luton achieving 10 GCSE Grades A to C along with 3 A Levels before attending London Guildhall University to attain a Business Studies with Corporate Finance degree. With a desire to win and using his father as a role model who he wished to make proud, he achieved a 2:1 with honours at the end of his four year sandwich course.
During his enthusiastic open presentation he shares his own recipe for success including goal setting, hard work, dedication underpinned with the desire to succeed. He ensures the students understand his absolute belief that “no one will do it for you – you must do it for yourself!”
Mandy Probert
Mandy Probert Buying Manager for Home Interiors at Debenhams in London, left Barclay School aged 18 with nine GCSE’s, including 6 grade A’s, and 3 A Levels. She attended university at the Winchester School of Art studying textile design attaining a 2:1.
She worked as a freelance textile designer before joining Debenhams buying office 10 years ago. She now holds the Home Buying Managers position working across Debenhams own brand and with designer labels such as John Rocha, Jasper Conran and Kevin McCloud.
This challenging and exciting position requires commitment and often long hours with global buying responsibilities that require her to regularly visit other countries including China, India, Taiwan and cities such as Hong Kong, New York, Frankfurt and Paris.
Robert Stewart
Robert Stewart, Founder of Stevenage Packaging Ltd, Former Business Person Of The Year for the region, left the Thomas Alleyne school age 16 with no O-levels.
He established Stevenage Packaging Ltd twenty two years ago at the age of 23, and has demonstrated twenty one years of sales growth, net profits and no redundancies.
Robert founded his second business Genetics Gymnasium Ltd fitness club aged 26, which he successfully and profitably sold two years later.
In 2010 he acquired Happy Mechanics Limited, a specialist acccountancy practice serving auto technicians.
Under the brand of The Differentiator he provides business coaching for SMEs and speaking engagements for awards events on topics such as entrepreneurialism, dream realisation, true customer love, etc.
Robert founded the charity Uniqueness in 2004 and is passionate about identifying the working strengths of all the year 11 students. Robert has personally presented to more than 3,000 Stevenage & Hertfordshire state school students. He is also a Trustee and Vice-Chairman of the Stevenage Community Trust and member of the Academy of Chief Executives - London Group.
