Sneinton Business Forum

After graduating from university, Rob worked as a civil servant before becoming the Managing Director of the family business, Dawson’s Bakery seven years ago. Dawson’s Bakery has grown to become the leading specialist bread supplier in the region. Dawson’s ethos has always been about passion and good food, always sourcing the best local produce whenever possible.

Rob is very much committed to the community, volunteering for Sneinton Alchemy and the Sneinton Business Forum, and is looking forward to working with others towards a better future for the Sneinton business community and Sneinton as a whole.

As a long term supporter of the Sneinton Market, Mike was instrumental in the formation of Sneinton Market Traders Ltd, a social enterprise which took over the operation of the market in February 2006.

Apart from working two days a week on markets, Mike is Chair of Draycott Community Centre and Longeaton Carnival. A keen supporter of Business in Sneinton, Mike Barnes believes that SBF is the way forward to regenerate the Sneinton area.

Trained as an accountant with Boots Pure Drug Company, Mike worked four years as a management accountant in Nottingham and South Wales before becoming self-employed, manufacturing ladies underwear in Nottingham’s Lace Market.

Besides producing for the wholesale trade Mike decided to sell his own ‘seconds’ on Sneinton Market. As the textile industry changed in the UK Mike decided, after travelling to India and China, to change track and deal in garment trimmings and accessories for the dancewear and carnival trade and formed Carnival Trimmings Ltd to distribute products within the UK. Thirty years later he still operates a stall at Sneinton Market.

Married for over 40 years, he has three children and five grandchildren. His wife Angela works for help the aged as the volunteers committees coordinator for the north of England.

With a passion for her local communities, Shona wanted to be involved in creating greater synergy between businesses and residents in the area, drawing more alchemy into Sneinton.

Involved in the management, development and delivery of the highly acclaimed Enterprise in Food (EiF) project – an initiative which supported individuals to set up micro food businesses, Shona developed and delivered the acclaimed Mobile Food School™ programme.

She now runs her own consultancy, which focuses on support for food businesses, writing and delivery of food based and business training and, of course, trying to access funds to grow Sneinton Business Forum and secure its future.

Shona is a SFEDI (Small Firms Enterprise Development Initiative) endorsed business advisor, qualified Professional Trainer (CIEH) and a practitioner of Neuro Linguistics. She is also an IBA qualified Business Counsellor. And as if all this was not enough, she also sings with Fat Digester, a local funk band!