Sophie Conboy

Co-Founder and Director

After more than 10 years leading Connect Yorkshire as CEO and helping Nick Butler go from Connect Gazelles to Connect Yorkshire - I’ve recently transitioned into the role of Co-Founder & Director, I jointly still own the members share for our not for profit - I will be supporting the organisation through its next phase of growth with a refreshed board and leadership team.

Connect Yorkshire is a not-for-profit business support community built around mentoring, meaningful connections, and helping ambitious Yorkshire businesses grow. Having been part of the organisation’s journey for many years, I remain deeply committed to its purpose, members, and long-term impact across the Yorkshire region.

My focus now is on governance, partnerships, and supporting the strategic direction of Connect Yorkshire, while ensuring the organisation continues to evolve, grow its membership community, and deliver real value to the Yorkshire business ecosystem.

sophie.conboy@connectyorkshire.org

Martin Slathia

Operations Manager

Martin joined us in July 2011 in order to complete a placement through university. After a year he went back to completed his HND in Events Management. Once this was finished he then came back to work for us full time. Martin has been with us ever since and has progressed through the company to his current role.

He is one of the longest serving staff members, Martin organises all the fantastic events that we run over the year, from sourcing venues and speakers to informing you all about them, whilst also managing our accounts and sending out your invoices (making him some people's least favourite person).

In his personal time he enjoys (most of the time) supporting Liverpool FC. He also enjoys attending music and comedy gigs. as well as going to the cinema.

07985 251 004

martin.slathia@connectyorkshire.org

Jessica Patton

Membership Executive

Jessica has a background in sales, working for multiple school software companies selling overseas and in the UK. She took a break in 2017 to raise her three children and opened her own business in the beauty industry in 2018. Since then, her business is running successfully, meaning she can free up some of her time to help Connect Yorkshire grow.

Jessica is responsible for the sourcing and recruiting of new members in Yorkshire, account managing and renewing existing members and selling added membership benefits.

She enjoys spending time with her family, building good relationships with her clients and learning new things.

07498 395 993

jessica.patton@connectyorkshire.org

Tom Kendall

Director

Tom Kendall is the Managing Partner at Partners&, a leading national risk advisory firm. With a wealth of experience helping SMEs and corporate clients navigate complex risk and insurance challenges, Tom brings insight and expertise that make a real difference.

For over a decade, Tom has been an active partner with Connect Yorkshire, building strong relationships and championing the power of collaboration. He is passionate about the role Connect Yorkshire plays in driving business growth through community, and he sees our peer-to-peer support as an invaluable resource for businesses of every size and sector. Outside of work Tom enjoys watching Leeds United as an avoid season ticket holder and has also been known to hack up many of our regions golf courses.

As a board member, Tom focuses on strengthening partnerships and attracting new members, ensuring our network continues to thrive for the benefit of all. His commitment to fostering connections and creating opportunities makes him an ideal advocate for our goals.

Caroline Broad

Director

Caroline is a long-standing supporter of Connect Yorkshire, with many career highlights shaped through working alongside its members and Entrepreneurs in Residence. She brings energy, curiosity, and practical business insight, with experience across commercial resilience, growth, and succession in a wide range of sectors.

Alongside her regulatory and operational career in professional services, Caroline has played an active role in the regional business support ecosystem, contributing to initiatives that strengthen long-term business resilience and regional wealth. This gives her a grounded understanding of how environmental, social, and governance considerations apply in practice for SMEs.

Caroline has been involved with Connect Yorkshire since 2018 and now serves in an executive role on the Board, leading operations and supporting events as the organisation enters its next chapter.

A proud Yorkshire lass, Caroline enjoys hiking across the county and capturing the landscape through her photography, with fitness, family, friends, and good food central to her life.

Phil Harris

Non Exec Director

Phil Harris is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of Coppice, a fast-growing multi-family office and independent financial planning firm based in Harrogate. Drawing on two decades of experience in private banking, Phil launched Coppice in 2024 to fill a gap in the market for personalised, client-first financial services. He leads the firm’s strategic direction and client relationships, advising high-net-worth families across generations. Under his leadership, Coppice has achieved rapid growth and national recognition.

Phil holds multiple degrees in Finance, Business, Psychology, and Sport. He is a Chartered Wealth Manager, a Chartered Financial Planner, and a Fellow by examination of the Personal Finance Society, the Chartered Insurance Institute, and the Chartered Institute of Securities & Investments.

Phil also contributes to the wider business community through mentoring, voluntary leadership, and entrepreneurial networks. He is a Leader in Residence (LIR) at the University of Leeds Business School, an Independent Charity Trustee, and has regularly held Non-Executive Chair and Director positions with sporting governing organisations and in the education sector.

Phil has been involved with Connect Yorkshire since 2014, regularly chairing Masterclasses and speaking at events. He has even served as the compère for the organisation’s annual awards night. Phil’s current role is Non-Executive Chair of the Connect Yorkshire Board.

Paul Kenny

Non Exec Director

Paul Kenny is the Managing Director at Aquatrust, a water hygiene company based in Cleckheaton that has been in operation since 2003. With over two decades of experience in SMEs, Paul brings a wealth of commercial expertise in finance and sales. He has been a part of Connect Yorkshire for nearly 10 years, fostering a strong connection and commitment to its growth. Recently, Paul utilised his extensive network to successfully navigate a management buyout of Aquatrust in 2025.

Paul Kenny also serves on the board at Connect Yorkshire and acts as a Brand Ambassador for the organisation. In this role, Paul is committed to fostering strong partnerships and attracting a diverse range of members to the group, helping to strengthen its network and impact.