Meet The Business Board Network Team

Network Contacts

Mark Bretton MBE TD DL FCIEx +
Read More
Mark Bretton MBE TD DL FCIEx

Chair, chair@businessboardnetwork.co.uk

Mark Bretton MBE TD DL FCIEx Chair, chair@businessboardnetwork.co.uk

Mark is currently the Chair of the Business Board Network, the body that brings together Local Authority Business Boards in England.  He was Chair of the Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership from 2016 to 2023, driving economic growth in the county through a series of infrastructure and skills programmes, including responsibility for the Growth Hub which has a particular focus on helping SMEs to grow, and he was a co-opted member of the County Growth Board. In 2019 Mark wrote the refreshed strategy for the LEP Network, the predecessor to the Business Board Network, and was appointed Chair by his peers just before the outbreak of the Covid Pandemic.

Mark was a member of the Secretary of State for BEIS’ Levelling Up Taskforce, of the Minister for Local Government’s Economic Recovery Working Group and the Business Action Council, all focused on helping the country survive and grow out of the Covid-19 crisis.  He was awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2023 for services to business, the economy and to charity, particularly during Covid-19 and was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant in January 2024.  In September 2025 he was made a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade.

Mark had a wide-ranging business career working for Plessey, Siemens, Royal Mail, Tata and Accenture.  He sat on the Business Leaders’ Council of the charity Teach First for 13 years and was an Ambassador for Home-Start Hertfordshire.  Having witnessed domestic abuse to a close family member, he is keen to provide support to the Hertfordshire Domestic Abuse Helpline and was appointed as an Ambassador in May 2026.

Mark has an MBA in Export Management and International Business from Bayes Business School, and a BSc Econ (Hons) in Management Studies. He was a Royal Signals Reserve Officer (Major) and holds a Territorial Decoration.

He is a passionate golfer, chairing Old Fold Manor Golf Club, and is active in leading golf in La Manga Club, Spain.  Mark is married with two grown up daughters and a grandson.

Click here to view Mark's Declaration of Interests.

Mark Livesey +
Read More
Mark Livesey

Chief Executive, mark@businessboardnetwork.co.uk

Mark Livesey Chief Executive, mark@businessboardnetwork.co.uk

Mark Livesey joined the LEP Network in December 2019 from Cheshire and Warrington LEP, where he held the joint role of Chief Executive Marketing Cheshire and Deputy Chief Executive Cheshire and Warrington LEP.  Mark joined the LEP in July 2016 from the Department for Communities and Local Government. His civil service career included serving as the Private Secretary to the Leader of the House of Lords and successive housing and planning ministers.  During his civil service career, Mark was also responsible for Coastal Communities, High Streets and Town Centres, during which time he set up and launched the Great British Coast brand, the Great British High Street brand and launched the national Great British High Streets competition.  Mark currently sits on the Board of the Institute of Economic Development and on the Community Board of the Digital Poverty Alliance.

Mike Dennehy +
Read More
Mike Dennehy

Communications Manager, mike@businessboardnetwork.co.uk

Mike Dennehy Communications Manager, mike@businessboardnetwork.co.uk

Prior to his role as Communications Manager, Mike worked for FTSE 100 business Babcock International Group as their PR and Public Affairs Manager working in the Support Services Division with a particular focus on their skills and education business. Previous to this Mike worked in senior corporate communications roles for Centrica plc and BAE Systems plc.

Mike's communications experience includes working for BBC News, including time as political researcher with BBC Westminster at 4 Millbank, and working in frontline government communications as press secretary for the UK Energy Minister, Home Secretary, and International Trade Minister.  

Jayne Atkinson +
Read More
Jayne Atkinson

Office Manager, jayne@businessboardnetwork.co.uk

Jayne Atkinson Office Manager, jayne@businessboardnetwork.co.uk

Jayne joined the LEP Network in June 2015.

Her background is in marketing communications, event management and providing business support at a senior level.

She has worked for large corporates and SMEs and in a variety of industry sectors including, training, market research, digital print, automotive, IT services, recruitment, financial services and construction.

Natasha Waller +
Read More
Natasha Waller

Policy Manager, natasha@businessboardnetwork.co.uk

Natasha Waller Policy Manager, natasha@businessboardnetwork.co.uk

Natasha joined the LEP Network as Policy Manager in January 2023 following working at New Anglia LEP for over 5 years. There she was the Skills Manager working with education providers in Norfolk and Suffolk and many stakeholders including the local authorities, DWP, business intermediaries and the third sector. She established the apprenticeship levy transfer scheme and Skills Bootcamps for the LEP plus provided the secretariat for the Skills Advisory Panel and a number of sector skills groups.

Natasha has worked in land-based Further Education colleges for over 15 years and roles driving apprenticeship uptake and career inspiration. She has developed academic curriculum and undertook external examining roles throughout the country.

Breaking news

News

All News

Events

All Events

Promotions