MEET THE DRAGONS

Debbie Boulton

MD & chartered accountant  

Chartered accountant Debbie has worked in the Bath area for over 25 years. She joined Richardson Swift as a director in March 2013 and in 2022 she became the company’s first managing director. Under her leadership the workforce has expanded and Richardson Swift is now the largest independent accountant based solely in Bath. Her goal is to make Richardson Swift ‘the firm of the future’ by keeping it at the cutting edge of accountancy and tax advisory services in terms of both technology and product offering. She also maintains  her own growing client portfolio covering a range of businesses and sectors. She specialises in working with growing, aspirational businesses particularly on strategic planning.  In  2024 Debbie was named as one of Bath and Somerset’s Top 20 Most Inspiring Women. Outside of work she plays hockey for her local team in Keynsham and runs to keep fit.

Tom Webb

Solictor & law firm partner

Tom is a Partner at Mogers Drewett solicitors as well as heading up the Corporate and Commercial Department. He specialises in complex commercial transactional work, largely for private companies and typically for entrepreneurial businesses, and enjoys assisting clients with strategic acquisitions and successful exits. He prides himself on being easily accessible and providing down-to-earth sound commercial advice, with none of the jargon and pompousness often associated with the legal profession- - and especially on the corporate and company side. He has many long-term clients for whom he acts as the company solicitor, and his approach is to seek to develop 'trusted advisor' status with clients wherever possible. When he's away from the office sport plays a large part in his personal life. "I now watch rather than play rugby but still enjoy cycling, golf and skiing despite being awful at all three! My young family also keep me busy and I enjoy travelling with them as far and wide as we can together as well," he says.

Dan Smith

Entrepreneur & founder of business finance company

Dan Smith brings 14 years of experience in commercial and corporate roles with High Street banks, including NatWest and LLoyds, where he specialised in delivering funding solutions for SMEs (turnover under £25 million) and property clients, ranging from single self-build projects to multi-million-pound investment portfolios.  In 2014, driven by a desire to work across multiple sectors without restrictions, Dan left the large corporate banks behind to co-found South West Business Finance (SWBF) with business partner Steve Barrett. The company specialises in sourcing and providing commercial finance solutions for the SME business sector in the South West of England. This ranges from property development, investment, commercial mortgages to stocking and asset finance. SWBF has built its reputation on having access to an enviable array of lenders, which helps when choosing the best sector for the best provider and enables the business to support a diverse range of clients. Outside of work, Dan is a keen sportsman with a strong passion for rugby, having had the honour of playing at Twickenham twice. While semi-retired from the game, he remains dedicated to staying active and maintaining a positive outlook on life.

Anita Jaynes

Journalist, magazine founder & entrepreneur

Anita has worked in the media industry for over 20 years working as a journalist, broadcaster and commercially in media sales and business development. She also has experience in marketing and data analysis for both the Third Sector and FMCG. In 2013, Anita identified a gap in the market for an independent, local, business-to-business publication and founded TBE which covers Bath & Somerset and Swindon & Wiltshire. The company has gone from strength to strength, with a massive loyal following among all the major local businesses and TBE itself has expanded into the event space. It now hosts a number of major conferences and awards in the South West, and has been instrumental in building bonds between the business communities throughout the region. It also runs its own highly thought of business network.  Alongside this, Anita is involved in a range of community activities, from judging local award schemes to supporting local charities and mentoring. In 2022, Anita was named by f:Entrepreneur as one of the UK’s most inspirational female entrepreneurs.