Two new directors have joined the committee team at the IoD Young Directors’ Forum for the coming year.

Jason Wouhra, of East End Foods, and James Villarreal, of utilities provider Glide, join a ten-strong team at the head of the IoD’s specialist section for the new generation of business leaders.

Mr Wouhra, one of the youngest chartered directors in the UK, is part of the successful team running leading spices importer and distributor East End Foods while Mr Villarreal founded fast-growing utilities provider Glide shortly after leaving university, now with the benefit of external funding one of the fastest-growing young businesses in the region.

They join existing team members Clive Bawden, of Catalyst Corporate Finance, Michelle Stott, of CityDesk, Giles Horwitch-Smith, of LMM, James Leavesley, of Redbrick Labs, Nicola Fleet-Milne, of FleetMilne Residential, Mohammed Moeini, of Pinsent Masons, Dr Jamie Elliott, of IXC UK, and Suzanne Linton, of Freestyle Interactive Limited

YDF chairman Clive Bawden said: “We’ve had a tremendous 12 months, with new mentoring and social activities all proving highly popular with young entrepreneurs.

“More than 250 young directors have attended our informal social events this year while our recent breakfast mornings with leading decision-makers Andrew Mitchell MP, Malcolm Harbour MEP, and Mick Laverty, of Advantage West Midlands, have all sold out which is tremendously encouraging.

“There is no doubt that despite the recession there is opportunity out there for young entrepreneurs and, with two individuals like Jason and James on board to join the existing team, I am sure we’ll have another great year this year.”