About Us
The Fit For Growth Programme provides fully-funded support to help you unlock your business’s full potential. With expert guidance, tailored strategies, and continuous support, we’re here to help you scale, innovate, and succeed.
Funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and delivered by BIC Innovation Ltd on behalf of Wiltshire Council.
Meet The Team
Owain Robinson
Growth Specialist
Owain has over 20 years of expertise in process improvement, focusing on operational excellence, lean methodologies, and strategic delivery. With a solid background in manufacturing, he has been a key player in a blue-chip site leadership team for eight years. Owain holds an MBA, BEng, and MRes in Materials Engineering, is NEBOSH certified, and is trained as an ISO 9001:2015 Lead Auditor. His career highlights include driving operational excellence, leading teams to top safety and productivity levels, delivering cost-saving improvement projects, and embedding a culture of continuous improvement. His key skills encompass lean and six sigma methodologies, change management, and coaching.
Alun Lewis
Finance Specialist
Alun brings over 35 years of finance experience, from hands-on financial system operation to financial directorship and subsidiary management. His expertise extends beyond large corporations, as he has spent the past fifteen years advising start-ups and SMEs on strategic business planning, financial projections, and a range of financial services. His diverse industry experience includes food, construction, leisure, manufacturing, steel, oil, chemicals, and property development. Alun excels in strategic and financial projects, such as feasibility studies, business planning, and finance raising. He has a keen ability to anticipate the evolving needs of growing companies. Alun holds a BSc in Chemistry and Physics with First-Class Honours and is a fully qualified member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.
Olha Nikolaieva
Project Coordinator
Olha is a dedicated and results-oriented professional with a bachelor’s degree in Telecommunication Systems. Starting her career in the financial industry while at university, Olha quickly advanced from branch receptionist to Chief Specialist of the Premium Banking Department at the bank's head office, where she managed and mentored a nationwide team. Her career then shifted to project and product management, serving as a Product Owner of banking products and later as a Project Manager at Ukraine's largest financial supermarket. Olha relocated to the UK in May 2022, where she has been actively involved in supporting Ukrainian families. At BIC Innovation, Olha is a Project Coordinator, overseeing the organisation and administration of the Wiltshire Fit For Growth support and grants provision.
John Taylerson
Growth Specialist
John is an accomplished Growth Specialist with deep expertise in the Food, Drink, and Agriculture sectors. Holding an MBA, Diploma in Marketing, Diploma in Farm Business Management, and accredited HACCP III, he provides comprehensive support to SMEs across finance, marketing, operations, and eCommerce. His diverse experience spans management, finance, marketing, procurement, technical roles, HR, and new product development (NPD). As a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and a Chartered Marketer, John has represented organisations in high-profile media and legal settings. His notable achievements include managing a dairy facility’s reorganisation and attaining BRC 6 Grade A, setting up a successful new food and drink business, and holding key roles across major industry players.
Hilary Centeleghe
Project Manager
Hilary, a business graduate, began her career in Manufacturing and IT before expanding her expertise to support sectors, including manufacturing, finance, professional services, construction, and biomedical. Her broad experience has equipped her with a unique ability to drive business growth, unlock high growth potential, and deliver long-term economic impact. Hilary advanced to become the Head of Enterprise at Greater Manchester Growth Hub. There, she managed and delivered projects worth over £20 million from 2017 to 2022, excelling in programme delivery, performance, and contract management. Her extensive funding experience includes ERDF, CRF, RDPE, ESF, DfE, HEI’s, and commercial projects. At BIC Innovation, she oversees several SPF projects.