The group serves as a powerful and influential partnership comprising forward-thinking private and public sector organisations dedicated to championing a stronger local economy in Wolverhampton. It represents the city’s large businesses and employers, functioning as ambassadors for both the city and its vibrant business community.
Group objectives
- Support the city in realising its ambitious vision and identifying opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs to thrive
- Contribute to the creation of a dynamic and prosperous Wolverhampton for the future
- Harness the collective knowledge and expertise within the group to benefit the broader business community
- Facilitate engagement and collaboration between various sectors to foster innovation and economic growth
- Address skills gaps within the community and work towards raising the aspiration levels of residents
The Champions encourage individuals and businesses to actively engage with the group by participating in collaborative initiatives, sharing insights, and contributing to the city's economic development efforts. Interested parties are encouraged to reach out to the Business Champions to explore partnership opportunities, share ideas, and contribute to Wolverhampton's growth story.
The Champions
Henry Carver
Managing Director, Carvers Wolverhampton
Organisation: Carvers Wolverhampton
Job title: Managing Director
Henry has 40 years in the building trade industries both in management and directorship. He is Managing Director / Owner of Carver Wolverhampton Ltd with sales of £55m; Chairman and 50% Investor of ETS and TKS with turnovers of £8m and £3m; Chairman and investor at Heritage Manor, a Care home group of 6 care homes and Chairman (owner) of Vaives in Latvia and Impralemn in Romania – both Timber Production and Treatment.
Henry’s personal interests include squash and tennis and he is also a keen golfer. He speaks fluent French and was previously a fluent Spanish speaker. He has been married for 31 years with 3 children.
Henry became a business champion simply because he wants to make a positive difference to the city where he was born and where his family have lived for five generations.
Whatever I have done in my Business life, I have tried to be positive and make a difference.
James Holland
Director of Business Development,
Strategy & Customer Account
Management, Collins Aerospace
Organisation: Collins Aerospace
Job title: Director of Business Development, Strategy & Customer Account Management
James Holland is Director of Business Development and Strategy at Collins Aerospace.
James has over 30 years of experience within the Automotive and Aerospace sectors covering Operations, Sales, EHS and Customer Relationship roles.
He began his journey with Collins Aerospace in 2005 and has held roles of increasing responsibility ever since, included Operations and Program Management and Leading Actuation Systems Aftermarket.
Samuel Hudman
Chartered Builder and Managing Director, Savesta Construction Ltd
Organisation: Savesta Construction Ltd
Job title: Chartered Builder and Managing Director
Samuel is an experienced Project Management professional and Managing Director of Savesta Construction Ltd. He has a history of successful delivery in the construction, real estate and professional services industries and is a graduate of Loughborough University with a BSc Hons degree in Construction Management.
Samuel spent the initial part of his career working for a large FTSE 250 listed UK construction company, working on prestigious capital projects across the UK and Middle East before spending a period with EY in London within their Programme Advisory team. In 2018 Samuel set up the award-winning Savesta Construction Ltd in Wolverhampton to focus on providing clients with an open and honest approach to construction main contracting across the West Midlands & Shropshire.
Sam is a Trustee of Wolverhampton’s Grand Theatre and in his spare time enjoys spending time with his young family.
Russell Jones
General Manager, Marketing &
Commercial Growth and Vice President
of Fosun Sports Group
Organisation: Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club
Job title:General Manager, Marketing & Commercial Growth and Vice President of Fosun Sports Group
Russell is a born and bred Wulfrunian whose personal and professional life revolves around the gold and black in his role as general manager of marketing and commercial growth at Wolves.
Russell leads the marketing and commercial growth strategy at Wolves, which is built around ‘daring to be different’ and being ‘always on’. This brave approach has seen the club develop localised media content for 7 international markets and diversify the Wolves brand into new verticals such as fashion, film, esports and music. This strategy has seen the club’s content reach a cumulative audience of 2 billion people and places the club in the top 20 most valuable football brands in the world.
Russell holds a 1st Class bachelor’s degree from the University of South Wales and a chartered institute of marketing postgraduate diploma from Birmingham City University. He has over 20 years’ experience in the sports and entertainment industry having held senior roles at the IAAF, Aston Villa, Wolverhampton Wanderers (Wolves) and Fosun Sports Group.
Russell is married with a sports loving son who attends Wolverhampton Grammar School. Interests outside of work include running, film, music and golf.
The club is the beating heart of the city and has one purpose, to make it’s fans and community proud.
Neil Lloyd
Managing Director, FBC Manby Bowdler
Organisation: FBC Manby Bowdler
Job title: Managing Director
Neil is an Affiliate of the IFS School of Finance, 2013 and has been an Associate of the Chartered Banker Institute since 2016.
Neil joined FBC Manby Bowdler (FBCMB) as Sales Director in 2015. Working closely with the wider support functions he has helped develop the sales infrastructure, supporting the achievement of the Firms overall business plan objectives and growth strategy. Neil became Managing Director on April 1st 2020 and is a member of the Firm's Executive Board.
In January 2023 he was named in the Hot 100 by the Lawyer magazine and awarded an Honorary Fellowship by the University of Wolverhampton.
Outside of work Neil is a keen marathon runner and is currently working his way through the big global marathons of London, Boston, Berlin, Tokyo, Chicago and New York.
Employing nearly 200 people, being part of the Business Champions group gives Neil and FBCMB an opportunity to network with significant businesses in the city as well as have an input into how the city should evolve.
I’ve worked in various cities in the country but never had the opportunity that being a Business Champion offers. It’s a great platform to interact with others and understand the latest thinking from the city council.
Stuart McLachlan
President, Moog Industrial Group
Organisation: Moog Industrial Group
Job title: President and Chair of Wolverhampton Business Champions group
Stuart was appointed as President – Moog Industrial Group and Moog Corporate officer in December 2021. Prior roles include Chief Business Officer Moog Aircraft Group and GVP & GM Aircraft Components Sector within Moog’s Aircraft Group. Stuart began his career at Dowty Aerospace Wolverhampton in 1987 and held several senior positions within Smiths Aerospace, GE, before joining Moog in 2009. During his career, his roles included engineering, program management, operations and general management. Stuart is based at Moog’s Tewkesbury facility in the UK.
Stuart holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree from Wolverhampton University, is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and President of the Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Cosford branch of the Royal Aeronautical Society. Stuart is also Chairman of the Wolverhampton Business Champions Group.
Stuart is married to Karen and has two sons, both are taking engineering paths. The eldest now working in the Aerospace industry and the youngest studying at Nottingham University in the UK.
Interests outside of work include running and Formula 1 motor racing.
Nigel Moorhouse, BSc MIMechE CEng
Nigel was born, educated and worked in Wolverhampton all his life. He started work as an apprentice at HM Hobson, working his way from Engineering, Programme Management, Operations Manager to finish up as Vice President and General Manager for the site with 1,200 employees and a $500m turnover. The business changed hands many times (Now Safran, was Lucas Aerospace, Goodrich and UTC to name a few) but the product and people remained the same.
Now retired, having enjoyed 48 years in Aerospace actuation systems, Nigel is Enterprise Adviser to The Royal School where he oversees their Careers Guidance plan. He also interfaces between the Business Champions and City of Wolverhampton Council Careers team with careers guidance to Wolverhampton schools.
John Wood
Director, Liberty Engineering
Organisation: Liberty Engineering
Job title: Director
John Wood is the Director – Group Corporate Services at Liberty Engineering, part of a very large international industrial group with over 30,000 employees and with a heritage in commodities, manufacturing, engineering and finance.
John has over 50 years’ experience in the metal processing and engineering industries and is a Member of the Institution of Materials, Minerals and Mining. He was first appointed as a MD in 1991. John is a Chartered Engineer, has an accountancy qualification and is a Deputy Lieutenant for the West Midlands. He has three children, one of which is severely mentally and physically disabled. He is a keen golfer and regularly swims and attends a gym.
There are seven Liberty companies based in Wolverhampton, mainly at a large site in Neachells Lane, Willenhall. The companies have a combined turnover of over £50m p.a. and have some 400 employees.
I believe that local businesses should engage with, and support, the development of the local community as a location of choice for businesses, and I want to be involved in making that happen.