Meet the team
Maria Schraml
Partnership Coordinator
With over 20 years’ experience in client management, business development and operational leadership, Maria brings deep expertise in partnership-building, community engagement and inclusive entrepreneurship.
As Partnership Coordinator at BrisBes, she builds relationships with charities, CICs and grassroots organisations across Bristol, working to connect their communities with fully funded business support. Maria is passionate about creating inclusive pathways into entrepreneurship and works closely with partners to ensure BrisBes’ offerings are accessible, relevant and responsive to local needs.
She also offers 1:1 business coaching for women and neurodivergent entrepreneurs, with a focus on sustainable systems and soul-aligned growth.
As Partnership Coordinator at BrisBes, Maria builds trusted relationships with charities, CICs and grassroots organisations to connect their communities with fully funded business support. She works closely with partners to ensure BrisBes’ offerings are accessible, inclusive and aligned with local needs, helping unlock opportunities for entrepreneurs from underrepresented backgrounds across Bristol.
When she’s not building partnerships across Bristol, Maria can be found treasure-hunting for vintage My Little Ponies, experimenting with old recipes in modern kitchens, or making fairy potions and business plans side-by-side with her daughter
Anne Suddick
Marketing Skills Advisor
Anne Suddick is the Marketing Skills Advisor at YTKO, dedicated to empowering startup business owners and entrepreneurs. With a background in teaching and experience running her own marketing consultancy supporting SMEs, she brings a diverse skill set to the role.
Previously, she served as a performance marketing manager, managing six-figure ad budgets across Meta and Google platforms to drive phenomenal growth through innovative digital campaigns for e-commerce brands. Known for her flair for strategy and creativity, she has successfully executed marketing campaigns across email, social media, and digital ads.
Anne has a passion for working with small business owners who are wearing a lot of hats and spinning many plates, helping them focus their marketing efforts on the areas that will drive growth for their business in a sustainable way.
In her spare time, Anne loves to spend quality moments with her husband, children, and dog, and as a family, they enjoy outdoor adventures and action-packed holidays.
Prad Ray
Project Co-ordinator
Prad Ray is a Project Coordinator with over 15 years’ cross-sector experience spanning digital media, live events, and enterprise support, with a focus on product development, performance optimisation and stakeholder engagement.
He produces and delivers impactful activity plans and programmes, optimising workflow, strengthening community engagement, and improving efficiencies across creative, technical and commercial industries.
With 10 years’ experience leading diverse teams and managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects, Prad brings expertise in project delivery, communications, and organisational transformation.
He holds a BA (Hons) in Economics and Marketing, and certifications in AgilePM®, ScrumMaster®, and CSPO®. He has also completed training with Young Enterprise, STEP, ScreenSkills, the Grierson Trust, and Channel 4.
In enterprise and learner support, he works with freelancers, start-ups, SMEs, and VCSEs to deliver inclusive, purpose-led outcomes. His approach is people-centred, humble, and focused on sustainable growth.
As part of the BrisBES team, Prad manages learner onboarding, scheduling, promotion, and access to support resources. He leads on partner, stakeholder, and client communications. Prad is also responsible for database oversight, reporting, and quality assurance—driving accessibility, effective delivery, and continuous improvement across the programme.
Sam Abbott
Programme Director
Sam is an experienced business advisor with nearly a decade of experience supporting start-ups and SMEs across the West of England and beyond. He specialises in financial planning, business strategy, and early-stage growth, and has guided hundreds of entrepreneurs through mentoring, grant advice, and tailored action plans.
With a background in social enterprise, a degree in Business and Marketing, and having run several businesses himself, Sam brings both academic knowledge and real-world experience to his support and guidance to his clients. Over the past five years, he has worked with YTKO on contracts across the country and previously with the British Business Bank Start Up Loans programme, giving him a strong understanding of national as well as regional business support landscapes.
As the Programme Director of BrisBES, Sam is responsible for overseeing the full delivery and day-to-day operation of the programme. He ensures that workshops, mentoring, and business support services run smoothly, while keeping the team aligned with the project’s overall objectives.
Drawing on his extensive experience with YTKO and his background in supporting start-ups and SMEs, Sam provides strategic guidance, practical insights, and hands-on leadership to help the team deliver meaningful impact. He plays a key role in monitoring performance against KPIs, maintaining strong relationships with partners and stakeholders, and ensuring that BrisBES meets its mission of supporting inclusive and sustainable business growth across Bristol.
When he’s not advising businesses, Sam can usually be found unwinding in a sauna, relaxing at a music event, or adding to his ever-growing record collection.
Andy Weeks
Enterprise Coach
Experienced Business Coach and Workshop facilitator – Has spent many years working with both Established and Start Up ventures within the SME sector, finding effective and innovative solutions, whilst maximising trading performance.
Specialisms in Strategic Planning, Financial Analysis and Commercial Problem Solving – Holder of SFEDI (small firms enterprise development initiative), and ACBD, (associate chartered banker diploma)
Previously worked for over 20 years for a major UK Commercial Lender managing a lending book of £20Million, and a diverse portfolio of SME clients developing a strong appreciation of the challenges facing the small business sector.
Subsequently worked for the leading UK charity the Citizens Advice Bureau, (and then remained on the board, as a Director, for the North Somerset office for several years after leaving..)
After this, had spells working for central Government’s ‘Access to Finance’ programme at Business West in the aftermath of the 2008 Banking & Financial crisis. Has also spent a period running own Business Consultancy.
Passionate about assisting small business owners realise their ambitions by providing guidance, advice and a framework for growth. Currently works with both Start Up and Established business on a cross-sectorial basis.
Support is provided through a combination of 1:1 support and Workshop delivery on key topics.
The role calls for a broad knowledge across a range of topics in order to mirror the needs and demands of the diverse range of the businesses that interact with us – As such can advise on Sales & Marketing, Business Start Up and general Growth plans, with specialisms in Finance related matters and Business Strategy.
Enjoys Travelling, Live Music Events and Walking – Adores Yorkshire !
As the oldest member of the team, I am lucky to work with a talented group of people with a diverse range of background experiences and skillsets –
As such, I’m often drawn to a little-known quote I have at home, on a fridge magnet, by the late, great, David Bowie –
“Ageing is an extraordinary process, where you become the person you always should have been”
…no idea if that’s at all true, but I like it !
Fiona Fraser
Operations Director
A senior member of the YTKO team, Fiona has been supporting hundreds of South West based entrepreneurs and SME’s via a range of funded provisions over the last 10 years.
Working independently or with teams, she strives to deliver a quality result for clients, and funders whilst hopefully enjoying the process along the way! Prior to YTKO she had a long-standing corporate career as a commercial marketeer for a number of consumer brands primarily in the financial services sector (including TSB, Lloyds Banking Group, and GE Capital). She holds a diploma in Direct Marketing and a BA Hons in History.
Fiona currently oversees the contractual delivery of the BrisBes programme. Her responsibilities include reporting and delivery oversight, compliance and stakeholder management.
Having delivered ERDF, SPF and Skills contracts during her time at YTKO she also supports other provisions too particularly where swift mobilisation is required. She has a bank of marketing and commercial knowledge and will roll up her sleeves and get involved with client 1:1 and workshop delivery as needed.
Fiona is based in Dartmouth. Outside of the office, she is a dog mom to two determined fur-balls Obi and Jango. She is also trying her hand with home grown veg as a rookie allotmenteer.
Lisa Clark
Business Advisor
Lisa is an experienced advisor specialising in support for pre-start, start-up and early-stage businesses. With a background in both business ownership and programme delivery, she combines real-world insight with strategic expertise. Lisa has designed and delivered enterprise support across sectors, including Digital Marketing Skills Bootcamps, high street recovery projects, and VCSE development.
She previously led social value initiatives for Kier Construction and successfully built and exited her own award-winning business. Lisa is known for her practical, people-centred approach and her focus on helping businesses grow sustainably.
As part of the BrisBES team, Lisa specialises in 1:1 support for pre-start and early-stage entrepreneurs, helping them develop viable business ideas and build strong foundations. Her focus includes business planning, mindset, and practical tools to support early growth.
She also leads the Friday Start-Up Club, a relaxed weekly event that offers peer connection, advisor support, and practical tips in an informal setting. In addition, she delivers accessible workshops on topics such as Google tools, AI basics, and turning ideas into income.
Lisa is an Exeter City FC season ticket holder. She has absolutely no interest in football, but fains enthusiasm each week to enjoy quality time with her husband and son.
She always tells clients: “You don’t know what you don’t know.”
Her hope is that this gently encourages them to take advantage of everything the BrisBes programme has to offer.