Jeff has over 40 years of experience in the commercial property sector. Arriving in Leeds in 1988 he began specialising in the office sector and has advised many commercial developers and occupiers over the last 4 decades. Of particular note he was involved acting for the Government Property Agency in their acquisition of a new regional hub in Leeds extending to almost 380,000 sq ft, the largest office transaction outside of London for over two decades. Almost 20 years ago, he was employed by JLL, where he was appointed to head their Leeds office growing it from 23 staff to over 100 at its peak. In the last 5 years he also led their UK regional office agency business with responsibility for office specialists across the UK’s key cities. Jeff retired from JLL last Summer and is currently on the Advisory Board of agency4D also based in Leeds.
Emma Pearmaine is Managing Director at Ridley and Hall Solicitors, and winner of the Yorkshire Law Awards Managing Partner of the Year Award 2020. Emma is very proud to have supported Ridley and Hall to win Yorkshire Law Awards Small Law Firm of the Year Award 2019 and to be shortlisted for the same award in 2020. In 2018, Emma was shortlisted in the Forward Ladies National Awards 2018, Female Entrepreneur of the Year category in Yorkshire, North East and Scotland. In 2014 she won the Modern Lawyer ‘Lawyer of the Year’ Award. Emma has been a member of the Multi Party Family Courts Parliamentary Group, is a Past President and current Director of Leeds Law Society, and current Vice President of The Yorkshire Union of Law Societies. Emma’s focus is now on her role as Managing Director, and she is a key member of the Ridley & Hall management team. The Modern Law Award recognised her strong management and leadership ability. Emma is as interested in the development of legal process and services as she is in the delivery of them. Emma is married and is the very proud mother of 2 grown up sons. In her spare time, she loves to be with her family and friends, she cooks up a storm in the kitchen, enjoys walking the dog in the countryside and loves a good book.
James Ashton is the outgoing Chief Executive of the Quoted Companies Alliance, the members’ organisation that champions small and mid-sized companies whose shares are publicly traded. James was City Editor and Executive Editor of the Evening Standard and Independent titles and before that City Editor of the Sunday Times. He is the author of several business books, a non-executive director of Finsbury Growth & Income, the FTSE 250 investment trust, and trustee of reading charity Coram Beanstalk.
Tariq is a Doncaster-born businessman, social investor and philanthropist. As CEO of Vigo Group, a multi-generational family business based in Yorkshire and London, he oversees a portfolio of companies focused on property development, regeneration and long-term asset operation. Rooted in the values of his grandfather, who founded the business in 1966, and his father, who led its expansion, Tariq has played a central role in transforming underused land into places that serve and strengthen local communities. Under his leadership, the business has championed projects that blend commercial success with meaningful social impact. He read Economics and Politics at the University of Birmingham, later completing an Executive MBA at the University of Cambridge Judge Business School in 2021. Since joining the family business in 2006, he has spearheaded numerous developments across the North and South of England, with a particular emphasis on place-making and long-term stewardship. Beyond business, Tariq has contributed extensively to civic and charitable life, including chairing the Town Deal Board for Doncaster and sitting on the successful City Status Bid board, securing Doncaster’s place as one of the UK’s newest Cities. A founding board member of Mosaic, the mentoring charity established by HM The King, Tariq has also supported organisations including the King’s Trust, the Sleep Charity, and Business in the Community. He is a Trustee of the AHS Foundation.
Tariq currently sits on the UK Government’s Public Services Honours Committee, co-chairs the Mayor of South Yorkshire’s Business Advisory Board, and chairs the Doncaster City Board. In 2022, he was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Honours for services to charity. A tireless advocate for the North of England and a believer in the power of place, Tariq’s career bridges commercial and social purpose, driven by a conviction that prosperity should be shared and rooted in the communities that create it.
Nikki is an entrepreneur and business leader with more than 20 years’ experience building, scaling and leading successful businesses in Yorkshire. As co-founder of NGC Networks Group, Nikki played a pivotal role in growing the business into one of Yorkshire’s most respected technology companies, culminating in its successful sale in 2023. Throughout her career, Nikki has built a strong reputation for commercial leadership, strategic growth and delivering exceptional customer outcomes. She has extensive experience across business strategy, sales leadership, customer engagement and scaling high-performing teams. Passionate about supporting innovation and championing regional business success, Nikki is a strong advocate for Yorkshire’s business community and is delighted to support the Yorkshire Post Business Awards in recognising the outstanding businesses and leaders driving growth and innovation across the region.
After more than 30 years in international professional services, including a Global Board Member, European Managing Partner and Head of Private Equity at Squire Patton Boggs, Jonathan is now providing Non-Executive Director and Board Advisory services to private equity-backed, professional services and growth-orientated businesses. Throughout his career, he has combined executive leadership with extensive experience supporting investors, boards and management teams through growth, transformation, acquisitions, succession and exit events. As a private equity adviser, Jonathan worked on more than 300 transactions, providing strategic counsel on governance, leadership, value creation and long-term business performance. As European Managing Partner, he led one of the firm's largest international regions, overseeing strategy, performance, talent development, succession planning and organisational culture. Alongside his executive responsibilities, Jonathan served on the firm's Global Board and Audit Committee, contributing to decisions relating to growth, governance, risk, financial oversight and long-term organisational development. In addition, he was a Non-Executive Director for South West Yorkshire NHS Foundation Trust for seven years and a Trustee of Hollybank Trust for six years, supporting organisations operating in highly regulated and stakeholder-rich environments, in areas of governance, financial sustainability, workforce strategy, service quality and leadership succession. Having spent much of his career supporting boards and leadership teams through complex decisions, Jonathan enjoy bringing an independent perspective, constructive challenge and practical commercial judgement to organisations seeking sustainable growth and long-term success.
Dame Linda brings exceptional experience in leadership, governance, and public service. She served twelve years as Chair of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, overseeing one of the UK’s largest and most complex NHS organisations with a turnover of £1.9 billion and 22,000 staff. In addition, she completed a Review of the NHS Counter Fraud Authority and co-authored the Messenger Review for the Department of Health. Dame Linda has previously held senior roles, including Pro-Chancellor and Chair of the Governing Body at the University of Leeds and Deputy Chair of Yorkshire Forward alongside Chairing several public bodies in Employment, Education and Investment. Alongside her distinguished public service, Dame Linda has founded and led several successful businesses in marketing, property, retail and the automotive industry, and has been a long-standing advocate for women in leadership through An Inspirational Journey and the 2% Club UK. Linda was the Yorkshire Regional Chair for Coutts Bank and their national Women’s Ambassador. Linda currently has her own strategic consultancy business and has recently been appointed Chair of Leeds Heritage Theatres. Her contribution has been recognised through numerous national honours, including her appointment as Dame Commander of the British Empire (DBE) in 2020, alongside awards such as Yorkshire Woman of the Year and IoD National Director of the Year (2021), the Sunday Times Non-Exec Director of the Year (2025), and recently awarded Lifetime Achievement Award in the Yorkshire Post Business Awards.
