We are delighted to share that we have recently appointed 2 brand new directors to the FEP Board! Gareth Sheppard and John Fisher have both joined us as official directors after a period of observation saw them sit in on 3 Board meetings through 2024/25 and recent a formal vote by the Board.
We’re thrilled to bring on board more like-minded business leaders who share our passion for the Forest of Dean and its incredible potential. Our two new appointees bring fresh perspectives, valuable skills, and a wealth of experience to the FEP, and we’re so excited to see the impact they’ll make as FEP moves forward into a new chapter.
Find out more about our new appointees below.
Gareth is co owner at Pedalabikeaway cycle centre in the Forest of Dean, Pedal Syndicate, a bike shop in Monmouth, and Wye MTB, a coaching and guiding company. After completing a BSc in Sport Science and later an MBA, Gareth went on to work to work in a number of sports and fitness roles, before joining the British Cycling High Performance Team - taking the team to London 2012 and 6 World Championships.
As co owner of one of the Forest’s most popular tourist attractions, Gareth brings valuable knowledge of the local leisure industry, helping to diversify our Board even further.
John Fisher is the Founder and Managing Director of Westway IT, a leading IT service provider based in Gloucestershire. Recognised as a Future Leader by the Global Technology Industry Association (GTIA) in 2025, John is passionate about helping businesses harness technology to stay safe, secure, and productive while delivering awesome experiences for their clients.
An active contributor to the technology community, John serves as a Leader at The Tech Tribe and sits on the Executive Council for GTIA’s UK & Ireland Community, where he shares insights, learns from peers, and brings best practices back to local businesses.
Committed to inspiring the next generation, John is a STEM Ambassador and Tech Channel Ambassador, working with schools and mentoring programmes to develop future talent in the tech industry.
A proud local, John grew up in the Forest of Dean and continues to champion innovation and growth within Gloucestershire’s business community.
Welcome Gareth and John!