We listen, we reflect, we resolve
South West Growth Service was formed by independent and experienced business consultants Chris Lorimer, Andrew Southall, Katharine Bourke and Phil Johnston in 2016. Passionate about the South West, their combined determination to make a difference in the region is driven by a sense of responsibility to their communities. With Andrew taking a step back in 2019, the team is joined by Ruth Salmon who is a very capable addition bringing a wealth of practical business skills and commercial insights.
Tell me more
The South West has some of the most innovative and creative small- and
medium-sized businesses which, with the right support, could become
global case studies.
In addition, the South West has some of the finest business expertise that
SWGS can help showcase to benefit aspirational organisations who need
external support to progress.
Katharine Bourke
Born on a Dartmoor farm, Katharine is a passionate supporter of and advocate for businesses in the South West. From starting out recruiting accountants for the City, she built an IT business with her husband from a good idea to a business employing 10 staff before returning to consultancy. She spent four years as a Growth Manager for the government's GrowthAccelerator and Business Growth Service in Devon and Cornwall. Passionate about working and living in the South West, she's an advocate for talent in this region.
Her core areas of expertise include:
- facilitating change management
- executive coaching and mentoring
- engaging and motivating groups
- communication skills training
- team building activities and away days
- business and people development
- mBIT certified coaching
- Zen leadership & FEBI assessments
Chris Lorimer
Chris' background is originally in banking, where he worked as a Head of Small Business and a Corporate Director at Barclays and then led operational excellence activity across International and Private Banking. He has been an independent management consultant since 2013 and his client base spans education, training, marketing, manufacturing, business services, and the public sector. He is the founder of two active business networking groups.
His core areas of expertise include:
- business strategy
- lean start-up advice
- leadership development
- raising finance
- commercial operations
- sales and marketing
- operational improvement
- business development
Ruth Salmon
Ruth Salmon is a highly experienced business person, skilled in business development, customer service and bringing new ideas from concept through to fruition. Having run a veterinary practice, she has first-hand experience of running a complex business including accounting and business administration, purchasing, business development, human resources, managing and motivating staff.
Her core areas of expertise include:
- business development
- events management
- commercial negotiation
- admin management and PA support
- logistics
- diary management
Phil Johnston
Phil has over 30 years senior commercial and marketing experience in both public and private sectors, with a significant track record of helping brands and companies accelerate growth by evolving and implementing effective marketing and brand strategies. Phil excels at getting businesses in any sector to attract new customers as well as getting existing customers to come back again and again. Phil has worked extensively as a business expert for the Business Growth Service as well as being a Marketing Strategy, New Product Development and Launch Innovation Specialist for Business West, Innovate to Succeed and Horizon 2020 business programmes.
His core areas of expertise include:
- strategy development
- business growth and innovation
- leadership & management
- international growth consultancy
- branding & marketing
- brand reputation
- stakeholder management
Katharine Bourke
Born on a Dartmoor farm, Katharine is a passionate supporter of and advocate for businesses in the South West. From starting out recruiting accountants for the City, she built an IT business with her husband from a good idea to a business employing 10 staff before returning to consultancy. She spent four years as a Growth Manager for the government's GrowthAccelerator and Business Growth Service in Devon and Cornwall. Passionate about working and living in the South West, she's an advocate for talent in this region.
Her core areas of expertise include:
- facilitating change management
- executive coaching and mentoring
- engaging and motivating groups
- communication skills training
- team building activities and away days
- business and people development
- mBIT certified coaching
- Zen leadership & FEBI assessments
Chris Lorimer
Chris' background is originally in banking, where he worked as a Head of Small Business and a Corporate Director at Barclays and then led operational excellence activity across International and Private Banking. He has been an independent management consultant since 2013 and his client base spans education, training, marketing, manufacturing, business services, and the public sector. He is the founder of two active business networking groups.
His core areas of expertise include:
- business strategy
- lean start-up advice
- leadership development
- raising finance
- commercial operations
- sales and marketing
- operational improvement
- business development
Ruth Salmon
Ruth Salmon is a highly experienced business person, skilled in business development, customer service and bringing new ideas from concept through to fruition. Having run a veterinary practice, she has first-hand experience of running a complex business including accounting and business administration, purchasing, business development, human resources, managing and motivating staff.
Her core areas of expertise include:
- business development
- events management
- commercial negotiation
- admin management and PA support
- logistics
- diary management
Phil Johnston
Phil has over 30 years senior commercial and marketing experience in both public and private sectors, with a significant track record of helping brands and companies accelerate growth by evolving and implementing effective marketing and brand strategies. Phil excels at getting businesses in any sector to attract new customers as well as getting existing customers to come back again and again. Phil has worked extensively as a business expert for the Business Growth Service as well as being a Marketing Strategy, New Product Development and Launch Innovation Specialist for Business West, Innovate to Succeed and Horizon 2020 business programmes.
His core areas of expertise include:
- strategy development
- business growth and innovation
- leadership & management
- international growth consultancy
- branding & marketing
- brand reputation
- stakeholder management
