Heart of the Bristol Business Board

Heart of Bristol Business Board was formed in 2022.

It’s made up of passionate and committed individuals who are on a shared mission to help raise funds towards lifesaving research in Bristol.

Every 10 hours someone dies from a heart or circulatory disease in Bristol.

This is what drives the group to make a real difference.

Heart of Bristol Business Board works closely with Sarah George who is the Professor of Cardiovascular Signalling and Dean of Faculty of Health Sciences at University of Bristol. Her research focuses on new therapies for heart and vascular diseases.

Follow Heart of Bristol Business Board on LinkedIn.

Meet the board members

Chair: Zoë Freeman

Zoë Freeman, Business Coach, Consultant and Founder of Mihaz Show

Bristol Business Board Chair Zoe

Zoe is a Business Coach, Consultant and Founder of Mihaz.

With enthusiasm, she helps businesses get to the root of their problem and bring about growth.

For over 25 years, she's managed complex change in companies from SMEs to global organisations.

Zoe's had friends and family affected by heart-related issues. This is what makes her passionate about supporting BHF-funded research at the Bristol Heart Institute.

Ellie Forsyth, Paralegal at BPE Solicitors Show

Bristol Business Board member Ellie

Ellie is a paralegal at BPE Solicitors and is training to become a lawyer.

Her brother suffered a cardiac arrest at the age of 28. Since then, Ellie’s been raising awareness about the importance of learning CPR.

She's worked with the BHF to organise workplace fundraising events and to teach CPR.

Sue Wotruba, Executive Coach at Fearless Engagement Show

Bristol Business Board member Sue

Sue runs a boutique management consultancy specialising in executive coaching and leadership development and assessment.

Before this she worked in senior HR and consultancy roles at IBM, SAP, Accenture & Penna.

Sue developed a heart problem following the birth of her daughter over 20 years ago. She continues to live with the condition.

Her daughter was also born with a heart condition and is an outpatient at the Bristol Heart Institute.

Tom Hack, Head of Commercial at Bristol Airport Show

Bristol Business Board member Tom

Tom is the Head of Commercial at Bristol Airport.

He's worked in the aviation industry for over 20 years.

BHF is close to Tom’s heart after his daughter was born with a congenital heart defect at birth. She went through lifesaving surgery when she was five days old.

Tom now strives to raise awareness of the BHF and to support fundraising for vital research.

Charlie Pierce, Retail Specialist at Waitrose Show

Jeremy Gibson, Chief Financial Officer at Guardian Financial Show

Bristol Business Board member Jeremy

Jeremy is Chief Financial Officer at Guardian Financial, the specialist protection provider for life and critical illness.

He’s worked in financial services for over 30 years in South Africa, Australia and the UK.

Jeremy lost his father to a heart attack and saw his mother and brother having one.

Being part of the Heart of Bristol Business Board is an opportunity for him to help support the BHF's lifesaving research.

I am excited by the opportunity to support the brilliant lifesaving BHF research taking place across Bristol. By harnessing the power of the Bristol and West business community, and leveraging support from across our networks, we aim to raise awareness, empower local businesses and raise significant funds for this wonderful and inspiring organisation.

Zoë Freeman, Heart of Bristol Business Board Chair

Heart of Bristol Business Board

Meet the board members

Share this page