Meet the London team
Sara Parker: London director
Sara Parker has been the CBI London regional director since November 2010. Sara's role involves running the member relationship function for all CBI members based in London, and representing the London business community on key policy issues.
Since joining the CBI in 2006 Sara has held a number of posts. Before being named regional director, Sara was head of the CBI's Knowledge Economy and Competitive Markets Group. In that post Sara oversaw the CBI's work on intellectual property, creative industries, ICT/digital communications, competition and consumer policy and data protection and privacy. Additionally, Sara's previous roles have included working in the CBI's Corporate Affairs Group on a project to create and sustain a high-profile tax campaign. This involved producing the report UK Business Tax: a compelling case for change. Sara has also worked in the CBI's Infrastructure team, where she had responsibility for property issues including property taxation and regional economic development policy work. Contact sara.parker@cbi.org.uk
Bryan Cress, assistant director (policy)
Bryan formerly ran the East Asia and corporate social responsibility portfolios at the CBI. Major lobbying successes included steering the EU Commission away from legislation on corporate responsibility and helping conclude the EU's most ambitious free trade agreement to date (with South Korea). He joined the London region in May 2010 and is responsible for all policy matters relating to London and London government, including transport, skills and the development of east London. He is the author of the influential twice-yearly London Business Survey. He leads on the Olympics for the CBI. Contact bryan.cress@cbi.org.uk
Chris Rebello, assistant director
Since joining the CBI in 2007, Chris has managed a diverse portfolio of London members, that has included manufacturers, professional services and financial services. In 2010, he assumed the role of managing the region's broad spectrum of financial services members. Prior to joining the CBI, Chris was with Barclays Bank for 33 years in a variety of roles including corporate banking, asset management and stockbroking. His many successes included helping secure what was then the bank's largest-ever fixed income fund. Contact chris.rebello@cbi.org.uk
Zoe Haggan, assistant director
Zoe, who joined the CBI in October 2010, manages a diverse portfolio of CBI members in sectors such as professional services, technology, leisure and hospitality and consumer goods. Her role is to ensure that each company in her portfolio optimises the benefits of CBI membership, adding their voice to our lobby campaigns. Prior to joining the CBI, Zoe worked at Think London helping businesses to expand their operations into the capital and regularly surpassing the target for new job creation from Asia Pacific investors into London. Contact zoe.haggan@cbi.org.uk
Stuart Stoter, assistant director
Stuart joined the CBI in October 2010 after a long career in international trade finance. He manages a portfolio of 30 CBI London members across a wide variety of sectors and his role also includes recruiting new members to the excellent benefits offered by the CBI. He has a particular interest in new and emerging technology companies. Stuart also runs the London region HR Directors' Forum where current issues relating to employment law, skills and employee relations are regularly discussed. Contact stuart.stoter@cbi.org.uk
Ben Digby, acting assistant director
Ben manages a portfolio of CBI London members with a particular focus on the creative industries. He joined the team in April 2011 from the CBI's employment group, where he led campaigns on a number of high-profile issues including the immigration cap, industrial relations, default retirement age and the minimum wage. Ben has been involved in a number of major CBI projects in 2011, including the CBI's Action for Jobs report and the CBI's response to the government on executive pay. He joined the CBI in August 2008 after a year working for political consultancy DeHavilland. Contact ben.digby@cbi.org.uk
Dr June-Alison Sealy, assistant director
June-Alison Sealy joined the CBI London team in March 2012. She has worked in the CBI for a number of years including previously as Head of Tourism Policy. Here she successfully brought the economic understanding and value of the UK’s tourism industry to the attention of key policy-makers both within the framework of tourism delivery and crucially, to those beyond. In the process she was the architect of the Tourism Alliance which celebrates its 10thanniversary this year. June-Alison was subsequently Head of Sectoral Affairs where she steered the work of the CBI Trade Association Council. Since 2008 she has managed a portfolio of national account members and in her new role she will manage the relationship with members in the retail, consumer goods, construction and engineering sectors. Contact june-alison.sealy@cbi.org.uk
Barbara Walker, assistant director
Barbara Walker has worked for CBI for a couple of decades, moving through public sector contracting, commercial law and consumer policy. She was instrumental in developing a number of key areas in the CBI, such as building a strong marketing and customer focus; setting up the CBI’s partnership sourcing project about supply chains and their impact on business performance; and helping build the CBI's influence in online business. All of this work has enabled CBI members to exchange ideas and best practice, as well as influencing public policy. For eight years Barbara has been a relationship manager, ensuring that her portfolio of major companies make the most of CBI. Contact barbara.walker@cbi.org.uk
Toby Bateman, regional executive
Toby joined the CBI in March 2012 and looks after our diverse portfolio of small and mid-sized businesses. He will be helpnig to take forward the CBI's mid-sized business campaign. Before joining the CBI, Toby worked for Annette Brooke MP in Parliament. He has a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Manchester and an MSc (with distinction) in public policy from UCL. Contact toby.bateman@cbi.org.uk
Sarah Singleton, London events executive
Sarah has worked at the CBI for over 10 years and is responsible for the delivery of all the events in the London region including the London Council, HR Director’s Forum, the 2012 Forum, the Senior Executive Lunch series and our flagship events - London Annual Lunch and Dinner. Contact sarah.singleton@cbi.org.uk
Thuy Tran, regional administrator
Thuy joined the CBI London team in March 2012. She supports the London Director and team. Before joining CBI London, Thuy had a spilt role supporting the CBI’s Membership Development Directorate, including sectoral issues, and the International Directorate. Contact thuy.tran@cbi.org.uk