Michelle Ovens CBE

CEO and Founder, Small Business Britain

Michelle Ovens CBE is the founder of Small Business Britain, the UK's leading champion of small businesses, and a passionate advocate for inclusive entrepreneurship. She leads a portfolio of national campaigns including the Great British Pitch and The Small Awards.

Michelle is also Director of Small Business Saturday UK, which she has led since its launch in 2013, supporting millions of small firms across the country.

She is Co-Chair of the Willow Review, focused on the financial benefits of sustainability for small businesses, and played a central role in founding the LILAC Centre, tackling the barriers faced by Disabled-led entrepreneurs. Michelle is also the co-chair for the Government-backed Maple Review which is dedicated to identifying and dismantling the barriers to entrepreneurship caused by economic deprivation and is currently serving on the UK Government's Board of Trade. From 2018 to 2020, she served as Chair of the Small Business Charter.

Prior to her campaigning work, Michelle ran a small business strategy consultancy for over a decade and holds an MBA from London Business School. She was awarded a CBE in the 2021 New Year Honours for Services to Small Business and Entrepreneurs.

Karen Campbell

Marketing Director

Karen is Small Business Britain's Marketing Director and oversees all campaign, event and programme outputs, as well as works on partner engagement, strategy and planning.

Karen has more than 20 years journalistic and senior marketing experience and has a passion for raising the profile of all small business owners. A northerner living in London, Karen loves a good night out, as long as home by 10.

Anna Matthews

Director, Business For Good

Anna leads Small Business Britain's Business for Good team, overseeing the Maple Review, the LILAC Centre, the Willow Review, f:Entrepreneur and the Cedar Review. With a background in writing, communications and broadcast journalism, she champions entrepreneurship as a force for good and has a passion for positive social impact. She speaks fluent Spanish, loves a good book and will never say no to an oat milk iced latte.

Rachel Ringstead

Director, Media & Communications

Rachel heads up media and communications for Small Business Britain and its campaigns, raising awareness of the vital role of small businesses in the UK, profiling the key issues and championing fantastic small firms and entrepreneurs.

Rachel has over 10 years' experience in corporate communications, working on behalf of purpose-driven businesses, entrepreneurs and not for profits.

Michelle Collins

Associate Director, Business Support

Michelle Collins and her team have been providing support across the Small Business Britain campaigns since 2018 and are passionate supporters of small businesses.

You will find Michelle and her team working behind the scenes managing emails, newsletters and updating systems and processes. Michelle also loves a good celebration and relishes meeting the Small Business Britain community both at in person and online events to celebrate their successes throughout the year.

Sally Devine Smith

Associate Director, Business For Good

Sally works in the Business For Good team focussing on the Maple Review, f:Entrepreneur, The Cedar Review, The Willow Review and the LILAC Centre. Sally brings to Small Business Britain incredible Government experience thanks to her leading the small business engagement and insights at the Department for Business and Trade for nearly eight years.

Mat Slosiar

Associate Director, Small Business Institute

Mat works on the Small Business Institute, the knowledge and capability hub for the small business community, helping equip businesses, teams and leaders with the skills, evidence and support they need to thrive. He is passionate about championing small businesses and helping entrepreneurs access practical tools, insights and opportunities to grow.

Through his work leading activity on the Small Business Saturday campaign, Mat has built strong relationships with small business owners across the UK, meeting and supporting hundreds of entrepreneurs face-to-face.

Outside of work, Mat can usually be found chasing the perfect sunset and enjoying the simple things in life.

Emma Webb

Associate Director, Small Business Institute

Emma works on the Small Business Institute, the knowledge and capability hub for the small business community which equips businesses, teams and leaders with the skills, evidence and policy support they need to thrive. Within the Institute, Emma develops training content and manages trainers and programmes, helping to build capability across the small business community.

Known for her incredible organisation skills, Emma is based in Manchester and loves a local bakery, and any excuse to support small businesses.

Becca Abe

Senior Manager, Social Media

Becca is the person bringing the brands to life on social media and is responsible for the content across all the Small Business Britain, Small Business Saturday and Business For Good channels. Always in the know of the latest TikTok trend and where to get a good coffee, Becca is the social queen!

Ally Hercka

Senior Manager, Business For Good

Ally works in the Business for Good team on the Maple Review, the LILAC Centre, the Willow Review, f:Entrepreneur and The Cedar Review and is a passionate advocate for supporting marginalised groups. Based in London, Ally is also a writer, loves the theatre and keeps Small Business Britain calm during a tech crisis.

Kimberley Homer

Senior Manager, Media & Communications

Kim works in the media and comms team bringing great broadcast and PR experience with her to amplify the work Small Business Britain is doing. Kim is based up north and loves a chat (which helps in comms!).

Gemma Johnson

Senior Manager, Business For Good

Gemma works on the Business For Good team and leads the LILAC Centre as well as works on the Maple Review, the Willow Review, f:Entrepreneur and The Cedar Review. Gemma is a dedicated champion for Disabled/neurodivergent entrepreneurs and goes above and beyond to support this incredible community. Gemma is a proud northerner and a crafting queen.

Ellie Mead

Senior Manager, Small Business Institute

Ellie works in the Small Business Institute team and supports the training content, trainers and programmes and helps to build capability across the small business community. Ellie is also a dab hand at logo design and created the new Small Business Saturday logo in her first week!

Katrina Muhsin

Senior Manager, Events

Kat heads up all the events at Small Business Britain. From the glittery spectacle of The Small Awards to a Government-backed Report launch, Kat is super organised, loves a project plan and is super calm under pressure.

Georgie Procter

Senior Manager, Media & Communications

Georgie works in the media and comms team ensuring the Small Business Britain message is out in the world. With a strong background in communications and strategy, Georgie brings her great experience, calming nature and Lime bike knowledge to the team.

Mike Feakes

Executive Assistant to Michelle Ovens CBE

Mike is the Executive Assistant to Michelle Ovens CBE. Mike is an experienced Executive Assistant with a proven track record of providing high-level support to small businesses and start-ups.

He collaborates closely with the team, building strong working relationships while offering dedicated support.

Joe Madden

Studio Director

Joe has been in the Small Business Britain family for many years and is the resident photographer and leads the Studio team - all the amazing video content and imagery is thanks to Joe. A renowned photographer, Joe can be found doing a Park Run and eating more than you ever think he can.