Meet the Team

Fred has joined the TALE team in August 2018, he previously spent 3 years as a Growth Hub Navigator, advising businesses across Kent and East Sussex. This included providing access to support networks, sharing specialist knowledge, together with financial and grant application expertise.

Fred also established and ran a multimillion-pound turnover company for 15 years. His key strength is in sales and marketing, with experience running physical retail outlets, and well as e-commerce platforms, managing a UK-wide sales force. His digital skills include the use of SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) and analytics, with a keen interest in Big Data, Cyber Security and The Internet of Things. He has used this experience to deliver events, webinars as well as providing one to one mentoring in improving digital marketing.

Role on I-Construct

As one of our Business Support Facilitators, Fred works directly with the businesses who join the I-Construct network, carrying out a diagnostic with each business to understand their current capabilities, and what gaps there are.

Sian joined the Haven Gateway Partnership in July 2018. Her career began as a designer in business development, marketing and communications. She then trained as a Business Analyst, gaining her accreditation as a Green Belt in Lean Six Sigma as well as being trained in Change Management and Agile. Sian has used this knowledge to deliver events, webinars as well as providing one to one mentoring in improving operations and processes.

Role on I-Construct

As one of our Business Support Facilitators, Sian works directly with the businesses who join the I-Construct network, carrying out a diagnostic with each business to understand their current capabilities, and what gaps there are.

Patrick joined the TALE team in July 2018 and now works on both the TALE and I-Construct projects. Previously, Patrick spent over 3 years at the Essex Chambers of Commerce as the Client Relationship Manager working with all sectors of business across the County. There he gained extensive experience organising exhibitions and networking events.

Prior to that, Patrick worked in a range of roles in professional services across Essex and Suffolk, including the print industry, event management and recruitment.

Role on I-Construct

As one of our Business Support Facilitators, Patrick works directly with the businesses who join the I-Construct network, carrying out a diagnostic with each business to understand their current capabilities, and what gaps there are.

After university Robert spent 10 years working for a Colchester freight forwarding company, in various roles but particularly in project shipping and logistics.

He then worked for 8 years for the regional inward investment agency East of England International where he focussed on the engineering, professional services and logistics sectors, and geographically on the Chinese market.

After a period of 5 years working across Europe to support inward investment into Bahrain and a period of self-employed consultancy, he worked as an Inward Investment Manager for Invest Essex, the inward investment agency for Essex.

Role on I-Construct

As Business Development Manager Robert is leading on developing the network membership for the I-Construct project, identifying opportunities to develop local supply chains.

A history graduate with experience of the City of London, Anita has worked in the field of economic regeneration for 20 years. She started her career at English Heritage, arguing the economic benefits of heritage assets to secure funding.

From there, Anita joined Regional Development Agencies working on projects such as the Olympics bid and writing the Tourism Legacy Plans for the bid. In 2007 Anita joined Southend Borough Council as the Head of Enterprise, Tourism and Regeneration where she delivered a £25m regeneration programme for the town centre, increased tourism revenue to £350m per annum whilst reducing visitor numbers and helped create a thriving business community.

Before joining Haven Gateway Partnership, Anita was MedTech Campus Director for Anglia Ruskin University. Anita leads the senior management group and leads the strategic direction of the partnership, under the guidance of the Board.

Role on I-Construct

As Executive Director, Anita has overall strategic responsibility for the I-Construct project today and moving forwards. She also represents I-Construct at high level meetings including the Steering Board, the Haven Gateway Partnership Board and at SME Business Support Events.

Lisa joined the Haven Gateway Partnership in July 2008 to manage the office and provide executive support to the team. Her many roles at the Haven Gateway have included event organisation, supporting the cruise initiative including co-ordinating and attending exhibitions, website administration and supporting our advocacy and business intelligence work.

Lisa was the project manager for the Low Carbon Freight Dividend project, which was funded through ERDF and supported SMEs to consider using rail or coastal shipping to move container freight, as a low carbon alternative to the road.

She is now the Programme Director for the Partnership, leading on delivery of our projects and activity and ensuring compliance with the regulations. She oversees programme delivery for TALE (Transport and Logistical Efficiencies).

Role on I-Construct

Lisa oversees the programme delivery for I-Construct, leading the team to support SMEs to benefit from grants and support. Lisa also oversees the administration functions of the partnership, including websites and IT.

Jemma joined the Haven Gateway Partnership in May 2017, and leads on the development of new partnerships and projects to attract funding to create economic growth for the Haven Gateway geography and beyond.

Previously Jemma worked in Higher Education, most recently for Anglia Ruskin University, as Assistant Director responsible for research commercialisation and partnerships with business. She secured over 20m EU funding for strategic projects providing innovation support to SMEs, in collaboration with other universities and delivery partners.

Jemma also has significant experience in local government having managed the development of Cambridgeshire Horizons, a strategic local delivery vehicle partnership to support sustainable housing and jobs growth. She secured over £40m government funding to support the delivery of infrastructure to accelerate the delivery of major new housing and employment sites.

Role on I-Construct

Jemma was instrumental in developing the I-Construct project. She leads on the development of the programme and network. Jemma also leads on marketing and communications for the project.  

Janice joined the Haven Gateway Partnership in September 2016 to support the development of funding bids and the delivery of commissioned projects.

Janice brings extensive experience of the Higher Education and private sectors. She was the Director of the Research & Enterprise Office at the University of Essex with responsibility for research funding, research commercialisation and partnerships with business.

Janice also has over 10 years' experience of research and development in the private sector in the field of Crop Production and Protection where she worked on a number of international projects.

Role on I-Construct

Janice will lead on I-Construct’s entrepreneurship support and innovation competitions, working with universities, colleges, and industry to engage students and potential entrepreneurs to consider construction as a marketplace or career path. She will also advise on the overall research and evaluation framework for the project.

Jenny currently works across the TALE and I-Construct projects, ensuring that all due diligence is carried out on all applicants to the project and oversees the compliance and finance administration of each project. Jenny also manages the CRM.

She has a background in Financial Services, having worked in the City for a retail bank for over 25 years. Her role included visiting sites in Europe and India, reviewing and improving on compliance and business process.

Role on I-Construct

Jenny will ensure that due diligence is carried out on all applicants to the I-Construct network. She will oversee the link between the network and the CRM, ensuring that access is given to all relevant parties. She will ensure that the database is updated and maintained during the contract.

Helen has over 25 years' experience in corporate life, public and non-profit sectors. She has managed an arts commissioning programme at BAA plc, the airport management company, and a range of national arts funding programmes at Arts Council England. Helen also led small arts organisations with national strategic and sector-wide remits. For the past 10 years, Helen has enhanced the performance of small non-profit organisations, by focusing on growth, financial sustainability, and revising models of delivery.

Role on I-Construct

Helen supports the due diligence procedures, and ensures compliance with the ERDF regulations. She also collates evidence, using the CRM, to submit our own claims to the Funding Authority, MHCLG.

Joining the team in November 2020, Charlotte supports the TALE and I-Construct projects. Previously she was the Marketing Manager for a group of UK furniture brands, specialising in smart locker technology; Prior to that she worked in various marketing roles at the local university and several London-based financial businesses.

Passionate about life-long learning, Charlotte has a MSc in Marketing. In her Master's dissertation she examined the role of branding in Higher Education. More recently she completed her ILM Level 3 Certificate in Principles of Leadership and Management.

Role on I-Construct

Charlotte is responsible for implementing the I-Construct marketing and communications strategy. She leads on the development of I-Construct network portal and website, creating valuable content and supporting the delivery of events and webinars

Jane joined Haven Gateway in November 2020 and is responsible for the effective delivery of the I-Construct events programme. She also provides routine and complex administrative support to the I-Construct ERDF project team. Once the I-Construct Hub opens in 2021, Jane will be overseeing the use of the I-Construct Hub, which includes project offices, a tech suite and conference facilities.

Jane has extensive experience in the field of events, having worked for the Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (CITMA) for over 17 years where she oversaw all events and training for its members within the legal profession.

Braintree District Council have responsibility for developing the Innovation Hub. The council will also use its involvement in major housing delivery and economic development to engage SMEs in understanding the development pipeline and to support the development of supply chains around major development opportunities for SELEP based SMEs.

BRE (The Buildings Research Institute) is a global leading research and technology organisation in construction technology/techniques and the performance of buildings. BRE will provide strategic input and link I-Construct into national initiatives and their Innovation Park network.

Colchester Institute provide expertise in Construction and support for entrepreneurship activity involving students, employers and working with other FE providers in the SELEP area. Working from campuses in Colchester, Clacton and Braintree, Colchester Institute is a provider of high-quality vocational education from Introduction to Construction short courses via apprenticeships and Higher National Diplomas to BSc (Hons) degrees in Construction Site Management.

Daedalus Environmental Ltd is located in Kent, a specialist consultancy with expertise in the application of renewable energy in construction and innovation. Daedalus will support our work to engage SMEs in business opportunities around new technologies, environmental performance and around major development sites.