Meet the Team
The Unit is run by a full time Centre Manager and Part-Time Administrator, with the help of a team of voluntary Fellows made up of business leaders, creative specialists and professional experts. Qualified and experienced business mentors support Unit businesses in areas such as tax, VAT, financial forecasting, telesales and marketing. Staff from Leeds City College provide additional support and ensure the facilities are in good working order.
The Unit Staff
Centre Manager
Fran Parkinson
Fran joined The Unit in March 2009 with a background in providing support to entrepreneurs, SMEs and social enterprises. Prior to joining The Unit she worked on a knowledge transfer project connecting businesses to academic expertise in the Yorkshire region. As The Unit Centre Manager Fran is responsible for the operational management of the Unit including the delivery of a comprehensive programme of training and networking events.
Contact:
frances.parkinson@leedscitycollege.ac.uk 0113 216 2252
Unit Administrator
Parminder Sond
Parminder provides a friendly business support service from 9.45am to 2.45pm Mon, Weds and Fri. She provides full inductions into the Unit and offers business support including telephone answering, mail sorting, organising training, help with IT issues and many other forms of help.
Contact:
parminder.sond@leedscitycollege.ac.uk 0113 2162253
The Unit Mentors
Finance Mentor
Michelle Reynolds, Managing Director of Collaborative Business Support Ltd
What I can do for you
I help my clients to clarify their strategy for growth, and work with them to make it happen. I work with facts and then apply those facts to the business using my 20 years business experience.
I became Finance Director of a £70m manufacturing business at the age of 33, responsible for managing their finance, IT, MIS and commercial functions. My main role was to support the Managing Director by being there when he needed to make crucial business decisions, and was trusted to help him make the right ones.
I left that business 2 years ago to set up Collaborative Business Support Limited, which concentrates on providing SMEs with the same level of service and financial expertise as a larger company, but at a fraction of the cost.
My Experience
I have a wealth of experience in helping companies grow, supporting their decision making process, coaching individuals and management teams and working with them to improve their personal, financial and business performance.
I specialise in:
• Strategic development and decision making support
• Financial Control and Profit Improvement
• Accounts Systems and Financial management
• Process control
• Key performance indicators
• Spreadsheet modelling
