The Board and Chief Executive

Sir Roy McNulty CBE

Sir Roy McNulty was appointed Chairman of Advantage West Midlands in May 2009.

Sir Roy was previously Chairman of the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the specialist aviation regulator a post he held for eight years.  Prior to this he was Chairman of National Air Traffic Services Limited (NATS) from May 1999 to July 2001.

He is a former Chief Executive and latterly Chairman of Short Brothers plc, the Belfast-based aerospace company now part of Bombardier Inc.  Previous posts include being President of the Society of British Aerospace Companies and Chairman of the former Department of Trade and Industry Aviation Committee.

Sir Roy is Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Olympic Delivery Authority, Chairman of the Ilex Urban Regeneration Company in Northern Ireland, and a non-executive Director of Norbrook Laboratories Limited. 

Dr David Brown

A scientist by background, Dr David Brown is Chief Executive of the Institution of Chemical Engineers, the Rugby-based international organisation for chemical, biochemical and process engineering professionals.

David has been Deputy Chair since December 2008.

Until 2006 he was Head of Technology and Innovation Management at the consulting firm Arthur D. Little Ltd. David devised the concept of regional Science and Industry Councils and he has worked professionally in all of the English regions, principally on science, innovation and enterprise, as well as for companies and Government bodies in the UK and around the world.

David held a series of R&D and management positions at ICI Plc and is an Associate Fellow at Warwick Business School as well as a member of the West Midlands Innovation and Technology Council, the Central Technology Belt, West Midlands in Europe, and the Centre for Sustainable Engineering.

Brendan Connor

Brendan Connor is Chairman of CENEX, the Centre of Excellence for Low Carbon and Fuel Cell Technology, based at Loughborough University.

Educated at Leeds and Bradford Universities, Brendan later served in the Royal Navy before holding civil service appointments in UKAEA and ACAS and then joining the Engineering Employers Federation.

He joined Lucas Aerospace in Solihull as Personnel Director in 1987 before joining TRW as Managing Director of the Electric Steering Division. In 2001 he was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Cosworth Racing in Northampton.

Brendan is Chairman of Governors of the Coventry School Foundation, Trustee of the Royal Air Force Museum, an Independent Member of the West Midlands Police Authority, a non-executive Director of Coventry and Warwickshire Hospitals NHS Trust and a Non-Executive Director of Motorsport Development UK.

Gerard Coyne

Gerard Coyne is the Trade Union representative on the Board of Advantage West Midlands and has been Regional Secretary of the Transport and General Workers Union since May 2001.  He is currently Chair of the Midlands TUC.

A graduate of the University of Birmingham, he has worked for the TGWU for 18 years in research and industrial roles, representing 138,000 members across both the private and public sectors.

As Chair of the West Midlands Trade Union Congress, Gerard has taken an active role in pursuing the lifelong learning agenda on behalf of trade union members.

He was elected as a Labour representative for the Longbridge ward in 1995 and served for seven years at Birmingham City Council, during which time he chaired the economic development and regeneration committees.

John Crabtree OBE

John Crabtree is a former senior partner of Birmingham law firm Wragge & Co, and now acts as a consultant to the company.

John is the Chairman of regional business exchange Investbx Holdings Ltd.

In addition, John holds a number of Chairmanships including Metalrax Group Plc, SLR Holdings Ltd, Claimar Care Group Plc and a Director of Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre Trust.

He is also a Non Executive Director of Staffline Recruitment Plc and former President of Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He has collected several awards in recent years including UK Lawyer of the Year in 2003, Birmingham Law Society Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003 and Variety Club Midlands Businessman of the Year in 2004.

Angela Maxwell OBE

Angela Maxwell achieved prominence as one of the region's most dynamic entrepreneurs as Commercial Director of Fracino, the UK's only manufacturer of espresso and cappuccino coffee machines.

Angela was honoured by the Queen in 2007 at Buckingham Palace, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to UK trade and industry.  She is a former European adviser to UK Trade & Investment and a regional ambassador for the Women's Enterprise Network.

Angela heads Acuwomen which is the UK's first company to bring an all-women group of entrepreneurs under one roof.  Angela has been awarded an OBE in the 2010 Queens Birthday Honours for services to business in the West Midlands.

Kumar Muthalagappan OBE

Kumar Muthalagappan founded a successful themed hotel and specialist restaurant group, Pearl Hotels, in 1994 which has developed the premium brands of Georgetown Restaurants, Coconut Lagoon Restaurants, Peacock Hotels, the Grand Hotel and Colwick Hall Hotel operating in Kenilworth, Stratford-upon-Avon, Nottingham and London.

Originally from India and Malaysia, Kumar came to the UK in 1978 and to the West Midlands in 1980. He is married to Kannahi a Chartered Accountant, has three children, and lives in Coventry.   Kumar is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

A graduate of the University of Warwick in 1983, he was invited to join the University's Council in August 2007 and is involved in committees dealing with Nominations, Honorary Graduates, and the appointment of the University Chancellor. 

Appointed to the board of Visit Britain in 2002, Kumar also chairs its Audit Committee.  He was previously involved with the Belgrade Theatre and Heart of England Tourism between 2000 and 2004, and is currently involved with assisting Alexandra Palace in London become a sustainable venue in the long term.

Kumar was appointed to the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) at its creation by Parliament and holds responsibility within the Audit, Finance, and Remuneration Committees.  Kumar is the current Chairman of the Audit Committee at Advantage West Midlands.

He is the Deputy Chairman of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and is primarily involved in an outward looking capacity for the Orchestra.  He is also involved with a number of charities, including the NSPCC and CLIC Sargent helping to raise their profile and funds for their causes.

He was awarded an OBE in the 2009 New Year's honours list for services to tourism and hospitality.

Diane Rayner

Diane Rayner is a former member of Worcestershire County Council and previously leader of Malvern Hills District Council.  She is a governor of Evesham and Malvern Hills Colleges.

Diane is from a small business background and has run two businesses of her own with experience from across the UK, Europe and the Caribbean. Until retirement, Diane was Policy Development Officer for the West Midlands for the Federation of Small Businesses.

She is a Diversity Champion on the Board of Advantage West Midlands with particular interest in social enterprise, economic inclusion and the voluntary and community sectors.

Cllr Kenneth Taylor OBE

A local authority appointment to the Advantage West Midlands Board, Ken Taylor is former Leader of Coventry City Council serving from June 2004 to May 2010,  He is a Councillor for the Earlsdon ward and Shadow Leader of the Conservative Group in Coventry.

Ken has lived in Coventry since 1972, working for a number of multi-national companies such as Nestle and ICI in sales management positions. 

He has held a number of key positions during his time in public service, including Director of Whitefriars Housing Association, governor at two Coventry schools, member of the West Midlands Passenger Transport Authority and, in 2002-03, Lord Mayor of Coventry. Ken is also a member of the Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire Partnership.  Ken has been awarded an OBE in the 2010 Queens Birthday Honours for services to Local Government.

Cllr Mike Whitby

Councillor Mike Whitby became Leader of Birmingham City Council, the largest local authority in the UK, in 2004. His political career stretches back to 1979, has included time as both a Councillor and a parliamentary candidate, and has involved working with some of the country’s most prominent and influential politicians.

Not only a seasoned politician, Cllr Whitby has a long history as a businessman, industrialist and entrepreneur with a reputation for turning around failing companies. He has been a member of the Institute of Directors, the Federation of Small Businesses (being chairman of their largest branch in the country from 1994-1995) the West Midlands Engineering Employers Federation (National Committee 1994-1995) and a Director of the Dudley and Sandwell Chambers of Commerce. He is currently chairman and Managing Director of Skeldings Ltd, an award winning (Birmingham Post) Engineering Company based in Smethwick.

Although born and raised in Birmingham Cllr Whitby has also lived in Germany, being educated at Michael's Hoven College (in the then West Germany) and completing a programme of voluntary work there as well. He has also worked in the cultural sector in Liverpool.

In addition to being Leader of the Council, Cllr Whitby has interests and strategic influence across the city and the West Midlands. He is Chairman of the Birmingham, Coventry and Black Country City Region, Chairman of the Aston Science Park Board, a director of the NEC and sits on numerous cultural and economic boards across Birmingham.

Michael Laverty

An accountant by background with experience working in local government in London and the Midlands, Mick Laverty was appointed as Chief Executive of Advantage West Midlands in December 2007.

Previously, Mick served as Director of Finance and Strategy at the Agency from 1999 before becoming Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director for Resources and Operations.

During this time, Mick was responsible for all of the 2,500 projects and programmes funded by Advantage West Midlands and played a leading role in major transformational change schemes such as Eastside Locks and Longbridge Technology Park in Birmingham, the Gateway Plus scheme to regenerate New Street Station and Ansty Park.

Additionally, Mick led the development of the West Midlands’ first two economic strategies in 2001 and 2004 and oversaw the development of the Agency’s access to finance work, including investBX, the UK’s first online regional business exchange.

Mick is a father of four, a loyal Aston Villa supporter and a keen runner, regularly taking part in runs and races across the region.