Meet the Team

We are a close team based at Harper Adams University College in Shropshire. As most of us have run our own successful rural business at some point in our career, we are extremely passionate about helping women succeed in their business venture.

With such a wide variety of experience, you're bound to find someone in our team that can relate to your business - anything from jersey cattle to textile design!

WiRE Membership Team

 Polly Gibb - WiRE Director

Polly has a Biology degree from Oxford University and an MSc in Land Resource Management from Cranfield. After graduating, she spent several years in hot and “interesting” countries working in agricultural and rural development. Since returning to England Polly has had various jobs, including working for environmental charities and a four year stint as a freelance bid-writer.

01952 815338  polly@wireuk.org

 Fiona Davies - WiRE Business Manager

Soon after leaving Essex University with a Sociology degree  Fiona became hooked by business, working in training, sales and marketing in London. She then came to work at HAUC on a farm diversification project, which provided the initial research for WiRE. Along the way Fiona launched and ran her own successful business for 3 years.

01952 815319  fiona@wireuk.org

Julie Edwards - Networks Manager

Julie has a degree in Textile Design from the University of Huddersfield and an MA in Art & Design from the University of Wolverhampton. Julie has worked in design and production, has designed textiles for high street retailers and carpets for hotels and casinos. Since moving back to Shropshire in 1998 Julie had various jobs and also ran her own business.

01952 815399 julie@wireuk.org  

 

Tory Loynes - Membership Administrator

Tory has just completed her final year at Harper Adams University College.Having grown up on a farm in South Shropshire and having completed her placement year with WiRE, Tory has a good understanding of the rural business community.

01952 815338  tory@wireuk.org  

 

WiRE Opening Doors - Training

Sarah Roberts - Business Advisor and Trainer

Sarah is a SFEDI accredited and award-winning Business Advisor. She also edits WiRED, our quarterly business magazine. Sarah has an HND in Graphic Design from Falmouth School of Art. Sarah has significant experience of running micro-business in rural areas. In 2004 she and her husband, set up a catering company plus delicatessen retailing local produce. In her spare time, Sarah is a volunteer advisor for Young Enterprise Shropshire and Staffordshire.

01952 815474  sarah@wireuk.org

Helen Allen - Business Adviser and Trainer

Helen is a SFEDI accredited Business Advisor and has a HND in Agriculture and Agricultural Business Management from Northants College of Agriculture. After leaving college she took over the management of the Staffordshire County Council educational farm, a job which she loved for 13 years. Helen and her husband became tenants of Staffordshire County Farms and they have built up a herd of 250 Pedigree Jersey cattle. Helen is also qualified in the care of looked after children.

01952 815475  helen@wireuk.org