John is a leading industrialist with over 40 years experience in the drinks and leisure sector. He was founder and Chairman of Pubmaster (3,500 pubs) which was sold in 2003 to Punch Taverns. He is founder and Chairman of Avanti Communications Plc which he demerged from Avanti Screenmedia and is listed on the AIM market. Avanti Communications will launch it’s first satellite in the second quarter of 2010 which is specifically designed for the delivery of broadband over Europe. He is Life President of Business in Sport and Leisure Limited, a Non-Executive Director of Isle of Capri Casinos Inc, Chairman of the Isle Casinos Limited and a Director and Trustee of Springboard Educational Trust.

John is also a Director and Trustee of the Bradfield College Foundation and a Trustee and Board Member of GamCare.

Andrew Minton

Charlie Wagstaff

Matthew Blagg

We've all heard the phrase, 'It's lonely at the top'. As chief executives across Criticaleye's Membership tell me, being a leader can be immensely rewarding, but also quite isolating. Who do you turn to when it comes to debating important issues on strategy? And, where can you go for solutions?

Unlike the individuals on the teams you lead, who are more than likely encouraged to share ideas and information, there are few people you can ask for useful and impartial advice. Your staff will expect you to have the answers already and professional advisors are likely to push their own agendas. In addition to this, the immediacy of today's business environment, where advances in technology and communications have intensified the pace of change, has created a world where leaders and directors have to be up-to-date and on-message around the clock.

Criticaleye was created in 2002 with the aim of helping leaders across industry sectors, business functions and geographical locations resolve business issues through peer-to-peer debate and discussion. Our Community works on the premise that business leaders and chief executives  need a safe space to ask questions and discuss solutions without the threat of being held to ransom by employees, stakeholders or the media for not knowing the answer to every problem or challenge that presents itself.

Being part of the Criticaleye Community means a number of things: Access to a managed network of leaders who can offer you fresh perspectives on and solutions to your critical issues. Intimate events on topics that have been generated from within the Community; a dedicated Relationship Manager to monitor your Membership activity and ensure you're getting the most value from it; a seasoned executive or 'Associate' to provide high level advice and ensure you are talking to the right people in the Community. And access to Criticaleye's Insight through an interactive online knowledge portal which is made up of cutting-edge business research, event write-ups, film footage of events and interviews and Community Articles by other Members.

Matthew Blagg, Founder & CEO, Criticaleye