About Us

There are four main officers of the Alliance. The founding Director is the Managing Director, Roger Ellis, ably assisted by the Corporate Director, Sharon Michaels and the recently appointed Director of Media & Arts, Julian Hicks.

Providing guidance and valuable assistance is the Honorary Chairman, the Earl of Erroll.

A brief biography of all four officers is shown below.

Roger Ellis – Managing Director

Roger is a prolific networker having served as the UK Country Manager for two years for Xing (the second largest internet network after Linkedin) and is Chairman and Founder of the IT Director’s Network.

He is also a former Chairman of Elite (the IT Director’s arm of the British Computer Society), the current Treasurer for the UK Chapter of the ISSA (the leading association for IT Security experts) and Immediate Past Chairman of the London Branch of the International Wine & Food Society (the world’s oldest gastronomic society).

With a total of over 42 years experience in industry, including 12 years as the IT Director of a leading FTSE 100 Company, he also finds time to serves on the Court of a City of London Livery Company, and is a Freeman of the City of London, a Fellow of the British Computer Society, a Fellow of the Institute of Management of IS and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

Sharon A. Michaels - Corporate Director

Sharon has been in the advertising, marketing, PR and exhibition industries for over 25 years and her extensive client base spans both trade and consumers. She has an excellent understanding of the requirements of varying market sectors – from fashion, charity, travel, food, wine, home interest to finance.

Very much a ‘hands on’ person, with involvement and back-up for clients’ marketing and development programmes has resulted in wide ranging activities at all levels including being involved in TV commercials (from concept, script, production through to approval) and publishing with a good all-round knowledge of production, print and photography.

Her expertise in exhibitions are in both trade and consumer sectors and Sharon has been involved in every step from identifying the market, advertising, PR and organisation through to maintaining after show follow-up/reaction.

Julian Hicks – Director of Media & Arts

Julian’s background is an eclectic mix of Entertainment, Film, TV, leisure, tourism and the arts. Working internationally Julian produces, feature film, TV documentaries and connected events. With an active role within the UPL media group of companies and other culturally based projects Julian is no stranger to networking.

He is credited for creating the internationally recognized Scarborough Jazz Festival and has promoted theatre-based events in association with the Stephen Joseph Theatre UK, The National Theatre London; The Young North Theatre Company and the 21st Theatre Company of Denmark. Promotion of Jazz and International Jazz related projects continues to be a passion.

Julian has been the creative driving force behind many internationally renowned projects, including the circumnavigation of the globe by the famous replica of Captain James Cook’s ship, HM Bark Endeavour. During his time with the Endeavour Foundation as Director of Marketing, Public Relations and business development, he successfully procured sponsorship, implemented voyage plans and the promotion of the project. His experience includes sourcing funding for television and film concepts. He has been extensively involved in the maritime coordination of both motion picture and television production including The Ship, Kidnapped, Atlantic Voyage and the blockbuster hit Master and Commander: the Far Side of the World.

Earl of Erroll - Chairman

Merlin is the 24th Earl of Erroll, and is a cross-bench member of the House of Lords, the Clan Chief of the Hays Clan, and the hereditary Lord High Constable of Scotland.

Born the son of Sir Iain Moncreiffe of that Ilk, 11th Baronet and Diana Denyse Hay, 23rd Countess of Erroll, he was educated at Eton College and at Trinity College, Cambridge. He succeeded his mother in 1978 as Earl of Erroll, and in 1985, his father as a Baronet.

He has been a Lieutenant, Atholl Highlanders since 1974, and is a Member of the Royal Company of Archers. Other honours include being a Freeman of the City of London and serving as Prime Warden of the City Livery Company, the Fishmongers, in 2000–01. He is also President of the E-business Regulatory Alliance and a Director of EURIM as well as a member of the Council of the Hereditary Peerage Association, and an Admiral of the Great Navy of the State of Nebraska, (USA).