Meet the Team
The Unit is run by a full time Incubator Manager and a Business Support Administrator, with the help of a team of voluntary Fellows made up of business leaders, creative specialists and professional experts. Two qualifed and experienced business mentors support Unit businesses in areas such as tax, VAT, financial forecasting, telesales and marketing. Unit Fellow Richard Bourdon also gives his time voluntarily to help coach and mentor the businesses.
Staff from Leeds City College provide additional support and ensure the facilities are in good working order.
The Unit Staff
Incubator Manager
Jennie Williams B.A.Hons, PGCE, MBA.
Jennie joined the Unit in June 2008 and has a background in marketing and business support activities. In addition she has run her own businesses and had practical experience of the issues facing start ups.
Her office is based in the Unit and she can be contacted on:
E. jennie.williams@leedscitycollege.ac.uk T. 0113 216 2250
Business Support
Fran Parkinson
Fran provides a friendly business support service from 9am to 5pm five days a week. She provides full inductions into the Unit and offers day to day support including telephone answering, mail sorting, organising training, help with IT issues and many other forms of help.
Contact:
E. frances.parkinson@leedscitycollege.ac.uk T. 0113 216 2252
The Unit Mentors
Sales / Marketing / General Mentor
Lianne Coates, Managing Director of Business Capability Ltd
I currently manage Business Capability, working with a wide variety of clients predominantly with sales training and development but also general business support.
I have been running my business for three and a half years and have experience of the highs and lows of working for myself. I am not embarrassed to say I have made plenty of mistakes and often learnt the hard way, I am happy to share my experience of what has and hasn't worked for me.
My sales ethos is focused on understanding customers needs with a consultative, relationship based approach.
My training courses have been developed from my own experiences and are supported by effective systems, tools and resources. I will be sharing appropriate resources with businesses as part of the support.
I deliver a range of seminars and workshops and will be asking the different Unit businesses if they are interested in attending any of these.
I have mentored and coached professionals and business owners, which has led to my recent appointment as Non Executive Sales Director for Reach Further Ltd.
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
General Mentor
Richard Bourdon, former CEO of Georgia Pacific
Key Achievements
As MD at Georgia Pacific, successfully tackled commercial consequences arising from a disastrous merger and rapid leadership turnover in prior 4 years. Launched a detailed recovery plan, focusing the executive team on a common agenda and forward looking actions. Addressed key problems in business process, cost, brand mix and customer service.
Restored profitability in this volatile and competitive industry – achieved £28m EBITDA in 4 years. Took effective measures to counter the massive impact of energy price increases in 2005 (over £20m profit hit).
Integrated Fort Howard Away From Home (B2B) business. Created single management team with one collective vision. Devised and delivered manufacturing rationalisation plan and handled re-branding for the merged businesses.
As European Leader for Jamont UK Ltd, accurately predicted the rapid growth of worldwide and pan European end users (eg in hotel and catering). Actively pursued a strategy of positioning Jamont as best placed to handle this trend, convinced senior management of this vision and drove through pan European branding and product launch.
Successfully managed multicultural teams, encouraging genuine cooperation to achieve efficient cross border supply.
Georgia-Pacific 2000-date
Leading Global manufacture and marketing of tissue, packaging, paper, pulp, building products and related chemicals.
Major international consumer products company.
European Leader 1997 – 2000
Variety of roles including Divisional Director, Printers Division.
Wiggins Teape Paper Limited 1968 – 1987
President, Confederation of Paper Industries.
Fast Track Management Development Programme - BAT Industries
