Chris brings over thirty years of experience working in the third sector, with a successful track record in organisational leadership and growth. A founding member of GLL, Chris became their business development director, growing the organisation from a local charity with a turnover of £3m to one of the largest social enterprises in the UK with a turnover exceeding £350m. He is also Chair of the Board of Trustees of MYTIME Young Carers.
As a charitable cooperative, Chris served as the Chair of the Board for 5 years and the company secretary for a further five and brings with him a unique understanding of the dynamics of commercialism, effective business practices and growth whilst pursuing charitable objectives.
In 2019 Chris became the CEO of a large multisite cultural charity (turnover of £35M+) reenergising its strategic direction and returning it to profitability post COVID.
Since 2023, Chris has been a specialist sector consultant advising local, regional and national governments on strategy and operational delivery. Having previously held numerous board roles including Non-Executive Director (Achieving for Children), school governor and serving as a current Board Member of Coin Street Centre Trust and the Colombo Centre, Chris continues to support charities and children’s causes in his spare time.
Paul is the Managing Director of Dorset-based digital marketing company Intergage, and former Director and President of the Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He also works as an Enterprise Advisor to Poole High School with the Careers and Enterprise Company.
Paul studied at Poole Grammar School where he represented Dorset on the football pitch and the athletics track. He pursued an entrepreneurial career in sales and marketing from an early age, starting his first business aged 21. Paul has run several businesses in the sales and technology arenas since, joining Intergage as Sales Director in 2003 and becoming Managing Director in 2006. Recipient of the Wow Network’s ‘Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2013 and runner-up in the Dorset Business Awards ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ category in 2016, Paul is a regular speaker – delivering talks to business leaders and students on subjects such as sales, marketing, marketing automation, management, leadership and technology.
Paul lives in Poole with his wife Tanith. They have three adult sons and are devoted grandparents to six grandchildren. When not involved in business, Paul can usually be found playing with his grandchildren, aboard a motorcycle, walking in Dorset with his family or watching AFC Bournemouth.
Matt Kearsey is the Managing Director of Hall & Woodhouse, an independent family-owned brewery and pub company established in 1777. With extensive experience in the hospitality and consumer goods sectors, Matt brings a strong strategic vision and a people-first leadership approach to the business.
Since joining Hall & Woodhouse, Matt has played a key role in driving sustainable growth, enhancing the company’s pub estate, and championing the brand’s values of community, integrity, and innovation. Under his leadership, Hall & Woodhouse continues to build on its legacy of brewing excellence and outstanding guest experiences, while maintaining its commitment to supporting the local communities it serves. Matt is widely respected for his collaborative leadership style, deep understanding of the hospitality industry, and passion for nurturing talent across the organisation.
Rebecca has been a teacher for 22 years and currently works for TEACH Trust in Poole, as a Community and Music Performance Director. She is married and has three children and a pet Viszla called Monty.
Rebecca’s father and godfather founded the charity, and she has enjoyed watching MYTIME grow and transform into the thriving charity that it is today. Rebecca states, “I feel privileged to be working alongside this great team, helping to make such a great impact for such a worthwhile cause.”
Rebecca Phillips is a Business Adviser at Evolve, where she supports entrepreneurs, start-ups, and growing businesses to develop resilient strategies and achieve sustainable success. With a strong background in business development and consultancy, Rebecca brings a wealth of experience in guiding organisations through periods of change, innovation, and growth.
Passionate about empowering business owners, Rebecca offers expert advice across key areas including business planning, finance, marketing, and operational improvement. Her approach is grounded in practical insight, strategic thinking, and a deep commitment to helping clients unlock their full potential.
Rebecca’s work at Evolve reflects her dedication to driving positive outcomes for businesses and contributing
to thriving local economies.
Ben Antell currently works as a Regional Director in United Learning. Before taking up this post, Ben worked for two years as an Executive Principal in United Learning supporting schools in Bournemouth, Poole, London, Manchester, Portsmouth and Kettering. Previously, Ben was Principal at Glenmoor and Winton Academies in Bournemouth for 4 years.
These two schools have become two of the highest performing schools in the country and subsequently judged outstanding by Ofsted.Ben is also fortunate to work as an Ofsted inspector, and bases his inspection work in the South-West, close to his family home. Ben is an avid supporter of MYTIME and the levelling up agenda for all young people it seeks to create. Ben’s other interests include playing golf, providing a taxi service to his two teenage sons and following the trials and tribulations of AFC Bournemouth!
Following the completion of a business degree in the early 90's Matthew served 25 years within the financial services industry, based primarily in London, as well as several years overseas. In 2018, having retired from financial services, Matthew wanted to give something back to the community.
He felt he had a particular skill set around finance and management and with this in mind undertook a three-year role as a trustee for the seven schools within the Twynham Learning Multi Academy Trust and chaired the Audit Committee. This enabled Matthew to witness at first hand the fundamental differences between the workings of the public sector and those of the private.
Matthew decided to return to academia because he still had that itch to help others, and thought that a degree in law might be an excellent complement to his existing arsenal. His graduation coincided quite nicely with the opportunity to get involved with MYTIME. As a parent, Matthew could not believe that in the 21st century a charity was needed to help children who were seemingly selflessly sacrificing their own futures for those whom they love. Matthew's expertise as an advisor to MYTIME allows to bring to the table a more leftfield/devil's advocate position than many of my peers. He hope to encourage fresh ideas whilst challenging expectations from a business perspective.
