Our Team
John Gourd
John joined the Cambridge Network in September 2019 from Johnson Matthey Plc. During his time at Johnson Matthey he held a number of leadership positions, including general management, sales and operations, both overseas and in the UK. In 2011 he was asked to lead the Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership as its inaugural Chair. During his five-year tenure he led the LEP to great success, capitalising on its scientific assets and its unique position within the Golden Triangle.
He is passionate about how the convergence of technologies is influencing the innovation landscape and the role the Cambridge Network has in catalysing interactions between members.
Claire Ruskin BSc CEng FIET
Claire Ruskin has long been part of the Cambridge Phenomenon, starting in chip design as an electronics engineer at Cambridge Consultants and then delivering increasingly ambitious technical product developments for a range of clients around the world. She has extensive technical and practical knowledge and experience with developing products, people and companies. Claire travels worldwide, when needed, to talk about what makes Cambridge such a special place and how it has created so many technologies and companies.
Claire was a Board Director of both Cambridge Consultants and Arthur D Little, then moved to PA Consulting to combine the art of management consulting with continued technical developments. Claire helped form start-ups including CSR [sold to Samsung Electronics and Qualcomm] and Alphamosaic [sold to Broadcom] and was on the Council of Advisors for Redgate Software. She is an Executive Board member of the Greater Cambridge Partnership, trying to help Cambridge grow in a good way, with housing, access and skills.
Bekah Parr
Bekah plays a key role in communicating the benefits of Cambridge Network's membership to the wider Cambridge community through a range of digital marketing channels. Bekah helps raise awareness of how Cambridge Network supports businesses, using clear and consistent messaging to highlight the value of membership. Bekah’s expertise in graphic design ensures that information is presented in a visually engaging and accessible way, helping members understand and make the most of the support and opportunities available to them.
Claire Angus
Claire manages our recruitment services, using her strong knowledge of the local job market to support both employers and candidates throughout the hiring process. Claire works closely with local companies of all sizes to deliver flexible recruitment packages that increase exposure for job adverts and save employers thousands of pounds in recruitment costs. Claire also organises and manages Cambridge Network’s popular jobs fairs and candidate evenings, which attract hundreds of eager jobseekers and offer valuable visibility for employers.
Jennifer Turley
With over a decade of experience as a learning and development professional, Jennifer has worked with social care organisations, universities and charities throughout the UK. She uses her skills and knowledge to create initiatives which meet learning and development needs at an organisational, team and individual level. Jennifer has a track record of creating high-quality learning experiences which receive excellent feedback. Her role at the Cambridge Network is to help member organisations understand more about their learning requirements and create innovative solutions to meet development needs.
Lisandre Toullec-Merten
Lisandre joins Cambridge Network on a 12-month maternity cover role, supporting the smooth running of day-to-day operations. Lisandre manages financial records and processes, including credit control, membership transactions and direct debits, ensuring accuracy and consistency. Lisandre also assists the wider team with general administrative tasks, providing reliable support across departments during this transitional period.
Louise Rushworth
Louise manages Cambridge Network’s events programme, which includes business talks, webinars, networking sessions and dinners. Louise works to create events that help members and the Cambridge community make connections and learn new skills to support themselves, their businesses and their staff. Drawing on her strong connections within the Cambridge ecosystem and her deep understanding of the regional economy, Louise organises sessions with guest speakers and delivers bespoke events tailored for members or visitors to Cambridge.
Lucy Brock
Lucy supports Cambridge Network by assisting with events and membership services, helping create a positive experience for members and the wider community. Lucy helps with member enquiries and works to maintain strong relationships that promote ongoing engagement and satisfaction. Lucy’s expertise in data analysis and reporting assists Cambridge Network in monitoring member activity and supporting the team to ensure members gain value from their membership.
Sally Bain
Sally leads marketing activities for Cambridge Network, developing and optimising strategies that promote the organisation and its members. Sally oversees marketing campaigns, content planning and brand development, ensuring consistent and effective communication across all channels. As news editor for the site, Sally shares the latest news, insights and blogs from across the Cambridge community. Sally also supports marketing initiatives for Cambridge NeuroWorks, a major UK initiative powered by ARIA that is building a national network around neurotechnology.
Sara Tomkins
Sara plays a key role within Cambridge Network, supporting various areas, including events, recruitment, training and finance. Sara’s broad skill set ensures smooth daily operations and effective collaboration across teams. Sara works closely with the team to ensure companies get the most out of their membership and helps oversee the smooth running of internal systems, including the ongoing development of the website. Sara is currently on maternity leave and will return in July 2026.