Rob Jenkins, LLB (Hons)
CEO, Co-Founder
Rob is an accomplished CEO with over 25 years of experience in international trade and customs. He has successfully navigated Barbourne Brook through changing industry trends and economic climates, demonstrating his deep understanding of the market. Rob’s educational background includes a degree in Law and successful completion of the Solicitors Professional exams, providing him with a solid foundation in legal and regulatory matters. Beginning his career in international trade and customs in the Big Four environment, Rob gained extensive experience working with large multinationals on all aspects of customs planning. His innovative mindset led him to develop our bespoke software solution, CAT360, which minimizes customs compliance risks. Rob is passionate about delivering excellent client service and using technology and innovation to improve the delivery of solutions. Rob’s leadership and expertise drive Barbourne Brook’s mission to unlock businesses’ productivity by removing unnecessary barriers to global trade. His commitment to excellence and innovation make him a valuable asset to our team and a trusted advisor to our clients.
Maria Jenkins
CPO, Co-Founder
Maria brings a wealth of experience in professional services to her role at Barbourne Brook. With over 10 years of experience working in Big 4 Accountancy and leading law firms, Maria has a deep understanding of the business landscape and what it takes to succeed in a competitive industry. She has also set up and managed several successful businesses, giving her first-hand knowledge of the challenges and opportunities of entrepreneurship. In her role at Barbourne Brook, Maria is responsible for managing talent, finance, and day-to-day practice management. Her expertise in these areas helps ensure that Barbourne Brook operates efficiently and effectively, providing the highest level of service to clients. Maria’s dedication to excellence and her ability to navigate complex business challenges make her an invaluable member of the team.
Adam Wood
Chief Commercial Officer
Adam joined Barbourne Brook in 2020, bringing a background in corporate finance and insurance to the team. As Head of Commercial, Adam is responsible for driving the business’s growth strategy through targeted sales and marketing initiatives. He places a strong emphasis on the client experience, taking the time to understand their unique needs and pain points and delivering value through innovative product development and cutting-edge technology. In addition to his work at Barbourne Brook, Adam serves as a Councilor for the CBI West Midlands. In this role, he actively provides feedback on industry trends to shape policy and promote the region’s business interests. Adam’s deep understanding of the business landscape, combined with his commitment to innovation and technology, make him a valuable asset to the Barbourne Brook team. He is dedicated to helping clients achieve their business objectives through tailored solutions and exceptional service.
Chris Hare, MBA, ACMA
Chief Operations Officer
With over 30 years of experience in a diverse range of roles across various industries and organizations, Chris brings a unique perspective to his role at Barbourne Brook. After a career change from accountancy, Chris spent six years as a Trade Compliance Manager with a global manufacturer, gaining in-depth operational knowledge of import/export procedures, customs duty regimes, customs valuation, tariff classification, and preferential origin. Chris’s extensive experience in trade compliance, coupled with his diverse background, makes him an invaluable member of the Barbourne Brook team. He brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table, helping clients navigate complex customs challenges and achieve their business objectives. Chris’s dedication to providing exceptional service and his ability to build strong client relationships make him a trusted advisor to businesses of all sizes and structures.
Monica Ryder
Head of Customs
Monica joined Barbourne Brook in 2020 as Head of Customs, bringing over 20 years of experience in customs consultancy to the role. Prior to joining Barbourne Brook, Monica spent 16 years in the Big Four environment, where she gained extensive knowledge of import/export procedures and customs duty regimes. Her expertise includes customs valuation, tariff classification, duty relief implementation, and origin issues, and she has a proven track record of negotiating advantageous arrangements with Customs Authorities on behalf of her clients. Monica’s wealth of experience and deep understanding of customs regulations make her a valuable asset to the Barbourne Brook team. She is committed to providing expert guidance and tailored solutions to clients navigating complex customs challenges, helping them achieve their business objectives while remaining compliant with all relevant regulations.
Sam Blakeman
Head of Customs Analytics
Sam Blakeman joins Barbourne Brook as Head of Customs Analytics, bringing over 12 years of senior leadership experience across leading customs software companies. Renowned for his expertise, he has a proven track record of enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of tech products designed to optimise customs operations and reduce duty costs for businesses.
Throughout his career, Sam has excelled in both project implementation and commercial roles, holding key positions at Langdon Systems, Rosslyn Data Technologies, Customs4Trade, and EORI (UK) Ltd.
Sam will play a pivotal role in expanding the reach of our innovative Customs Analytics Tool, CAT360. His passion for driving efficiency, ensuring compliance, and reducing costs within organisations’ customs operations aligns perfectly with our mission to deliver exceptional value to our clients.
Lindsey Roberts, MBA, CMrg, FCMI
Senior Customs Duty Consultant
Lindsey is an accomplished customs expert with eight years of experience across all key areas of customs, including the implementation of special procedures. Her expertise includes mitigating customs risk within the supply chain and identifying cost-saving opportunities. Lindsey has worked both in-house and alongside large organizations, gaining a wealth of customs knowledge and an excellent eye for detail. In her most recent role, Lindsey played a pivotal role in transforming business processes to align with current and future customs regulations while promoting, educating, and encouraging customs compliance across all areas of the supply chain. At Barbourne Brook, Lindsey strengthens our pragmatic approach, which goes beyond advising and implementation. She is dedicated to delivering practical solutions that help clients navigate complex customs challenges while achieving their business objectives. Lindsey’s experience, expertise, and commitment to exceptional service make her a valuable asset to the Barbourne Brook team.
Rosanna Hood
Commercial Manager
Rosanna joined Barbourne Brook from one of the world’s largest risk advisory firms as Head of Customs Innovation. With her passion for connecting businesses with the right solutions, she brings energy, capability, and a problem-solving mindset to our team.
Rosanna is committed to identifying and delivering strategic opportunities that help businesses optimise customs operations, reduce costs, manage supply chain risk and stay compliant. With a keen understanding of client needs, she plays a vital role in expanding our reach and ensuring more companies benefit from our expertise.
Her enthusiasm and dedication to driving growth align perfectly with our mission to provide exceptional value to businesses navigating the complexities of international trade in line with their capital journey.
David Cronin
Revenue Operations Manager
David brings a wealth of expertise in automation, analytics, and customer experience to his role at Barbourne Brook, where he enhances our data-led sales and marketing efforts. Known for his strong organisational skills and keen attention to detail, he ensures seamless execution of our campaigns, supporting Barbourne Brook’s commitment to precision and efficiency.
His experience spans roles at the Stroke Association, where he optimised supporter communications and managed gaming products, and Snap Finance UK, where he implemented automated systems and strengthened regulatory compliance. With a BA (Hons) degree and advanced skills in CRM systems, digital marketing, and automation tools, David’s proactive approach and focus on data accuracy make him a valuable asset to our team and clients.
Sarah O’Neill
Executive Assistant
An exceptionally organised and proactive Executive Assistant, Sarah primarily supports Maria and plays a crucial role in our Executive Team. With over 30 years of experience in fast-paced executive environments, including as a former General Manager, she brings a unique blend of strategic insight and organisational expertise.
Known for her strategic thinking, discretion, and ability to manage complex schedules, international travel, and office operations seamlessly, Sarah is highly skilled in anticipating needs and proactively providing solutions. A trusted and invaluable member of the team, she is a tremendous help and support to Maria personally, while her dedication ensures smooth day-to-day operations and the team’s continued efficiency.
Customs planning with a unique perspective
“We work closely with the team at Barbourne Brook. They are highly professional and able to translate complex issues in a digestible way. They identify how they can achieve substantial savings for the businesses they work with, but they are never pushy. They invest time to get to know the businesses they want to help and, when clients engage with them, they are transparent about the costs involved. The businesses we know that have worked with Barbourne Brook have always been very happy with the service and the end result.”
Peter Snaith, Partner, Womble Bond Dickinson
“Barbourne Brook’s capabilities and knowledge have been indispensable. Lacking the expertise or resource in house, they have provided us with a clear roadmap to improve our customs conformity, standardise processes and ensure best practice. The analytical software has not only provided great insight but elevated understanding allowing us to grow in confidence. They have enabled us to make substantial financial savings and guided us through some challenges. The team are helpful, eager to support and receive feedback at each stage, to ensure we are completely satisfied in our partnership.”
Sarah Blunt, Head of International Trade, Princes
Contact Us
How can we help?
We are on-hand to help with all of your customs need. Provide us with some details on your circumstances and one of our friendly experts will be in touch to provide support and advice.