Shaylesh Patel, ACA

Following his graduation in Economics & Accounting at Bristol University 1988-1991, Shaylesh joined Ernst & Young (ACA 1994).

During his ten years there he worked for a variety of clients and gained extensive experience in people and change management activities; taxation and insolvency; due diligence; audit and accounting.

In July 1999, Shaylesh became the first Ernst & Young employee to be seconded to the Government's local inward investment agency - London First Centre (now called Think London) - as Business Development Manager. Here he worked closely with motivated, entrepreneurial individuals across operations, finance, business development and senior management. He followed this with a similar role back at Ernst & Young.

In December 2001 Shaylesh became the Chief Financial Officer for Flight Centre (UK) Limited, where he was instrumental in helping the company grow its commission base from £11m to £22m. The position, which also involved becoming Company Secretary for all UK operations, was new to Flight Centre in the UK and involved strategic, commercial and operational development and management involvement. The Flight Centre (UK) Limited doubled in size during his 3 years at the company.

Between July 2004 and October 2007, Shaylesh continued to climb the business ladder, taking commercial roles at COLT UK, London; You Me TV Plc, London; and ultimately Commercial Development at TESCO plc.

Since October 2007, Shaylesh and his wife, Preeti, have dedicated their time to creating Healthy Planet. They spend much of their time talking to the trustees, other parents and those interested in Healthy Planet's new approach, to make sure that Healthy Planet constantly looks for the best ways to educate, provide and reward healthy choices. They have two children Akaash and Tulsi who now constantly ask their parents about the points they can earn from Healthy Planet for walking and scootering to school!