Beverley Nielsen, is Associate Professor and Director at the Institute for Design & Economic Acceleration (IDEA), Birmingham City University. Elected to Malvern Hills District Council (MHDC) she was appointed Portfolio holder for Economic Development and Tourism (2019-2020), currently chairs the Environment Panel and is Vice-Chair of MHDC. Beverley has helped start over 45 new companies, chairing two of these – Ultra Light Rail Partners Ltd and Boundless Outdoors Ltd.