MEET our people
At Cool Ventures it's our people that make us special.The Cool Ventures team consists of dedicated client programme co-ordinators and a brilliant group of expert associates who help us deliver our workshops as well as mentoring, coaching and one-to-one services.
OUR BUSINESS EXPERTS

BEN KINNAIRD
Websites & SEO
Ben has over 20 years of experience working with small businesses in marketing and web design. He helps business owners to focus on a measurable marketing strategy as well as understanding how to communicate with their perfect audience.

JOE CUSSENS
Hospitality Adviser
Joe Cussens is the Managing Director of Yardstick, a hospitality group known for successful pubs and venues. He specialises in strategic planning, operations, and brand development, creating thriving, community-focused establishments.

RUTH SOUTHORN
Social Media Marketing
Ruth is the founder of Swallowtail Social marketing services. She works as a trainer and coach on social media marketing topics for small business owners looking to use their time and effort on social media more productively.

PAUL NECK
Growth Strategy
Paul has spent many years helping companies of all shapes and sizes to develop their business strategy and transition to the next level of growth. He uses his accumulated experience to help businesses, whatever their status or sector, to overcome challenges, grow and improve.

LISA YELLAND
Sales Strategy Expert
Lisa Yelland is a sales coach and consultant helping small businesses simplify and improve their sales strategies. With over 30 years of experience, she specialises in confidence-building, sales techniques, and client relationships.

NATASHA BYE
Growth Strategy & Sales
Natasha is a strategist and motivational speaker based in Bath. Natasha spent 20 years in the corporate world in senior Director positions before setting up Strategy Doctor to help other businesses find a clear path to growth.

STACEY MEAD
HR & Wellbeing
Stacey is a Director at HR Dept. Their professional team have a combined 130 years’ experience
working within HR and are experts at providing employment law
support for a range of businesses.

ALICE LIPCZYNSKI
Strategic Finance
Alice is a founder of Bristol Finance Group and a Chartered Management Accountant. She specialises in strategy, planning and pricing. In particular, Alice excels at developing sales strategy to get businesses to market, grow rapidly and secure investment and project finance.

EMMA SMITH
Start-up & Micro business
Emma is an accredited business adviser specialising in working with businesses at the start up stage and during their early years of trading. She has assisted hundreds of people in the Bristol and Bath area to start a business.

HOLLY BELL
Marketing Communications
Holly has been working in marketing for over 17 years and is a founder of a marketing agency Your Marketing Sidekick. She helps small businesses to grow their customer bases and brand awareness through specific marketing and social media strategies.

CHRIS BURN
GDPR and Data Privacy Expert
Chris Burn, founder of CSRB, specialises in business coaching and strategy, helping companies improve performance, leadership, and growth.

AMY MORSE
Start-up & Micro business
With a background in skills training, business support and writing, Amy helps ambitious entrepreneurs and business leaders to tell the story of their business – in their own words – with courage, confidence and creativity.

KATIE SANDS
Social Media Marketing
Katie Sands at Bath Digitial Marketer is a Social Media Strategist and Manager specialising in LinkedIn and Instagram with 6+ years experience. She helps service businesses connect with their ideal client to stay top of mind and generate leads.

JO HODGE
Email Marketing Expert
Jo Hodge, founder of The Digital Marketing Fairy, helps small businesses grow online through email marketing, social media, and content strategy. With 10+ years of experience, she provides practical, results-driven marketing support.

ANDY HAWKINS
Social and Environmental Impact Adviser
Andy Hawkins, founder of Business on Purpose, helps businesses integrate social and environmental impact into their strategy to drive sustainable growth.
NEIL MCKEN
Management Consultant
Neil McKen, founder of Williamstowe Limited, provides expert guidance in business strategy, leadership, and growth, helping companies achieve long-term success.
COOL VENTURES TEAM

SUE MARCHANT
Managing Director
Sue heads up our team and oversees the running of the Company. In addition, she provides advice in strategic planning, business planning and finance for businesses.

SANDRA MERRELL
Operations Manager
One of Sandy’s most important responsibilities is maintaining contact with our clients by following up on enquiries and identifying their support needs.
She is also a project coordinator for our new programme, “HR Essentials.

AMY MORSE
Outreach Business Adviser
Amy will be out and about supporting budding entrepreneurs and small businesses in the South Gloucestershire community. Her passion lies in helping others embrace their unique stories and empowering them to develop their small businesses with courage and confidence.

JACKIE BARTON
Administrator
Jackie is our dedicated administrator, handling a wide range of office duties, from data processing to coordinating day-to-day communications with our clients. Her efficiency and attention to detail ensure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes.

MEGAN MICHAEL
Admin & Marketing Aprentice
Megan is our enthusiastic admin and marketing apprentice. She supports a range of office tasks and assists with marketing efforts, bringing fresh energy and new ideas to the team. Eager to learn and grow, Megan is quickly developing her skills and becoming an invaluable part of our business.

KAT DAWE SCHMEISSER
Business Support and Community Engagement Officer
Kat is our new B&NES Business Support and Community Engagement Officer. Alongside her role at Cool Ventures, she runs her own creative business, The Art Cohort. With her passion for supporting local communities and first-hand experience as a business owner, Kat brings valuable insight and energy to the team.
Get In Touch
Customer Services
Tel: 08000418293
email: info@coolventures.co.uk

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Registered address: 7 High Street, Chipping Sodbury, Bristol BS37 6BA
Company registration number: 07713005