Register of Interest
Alison Hesselberth's Register of Interest can be found here
Biography
Alison joined the Solent LEP in December 2018, having previously worked in the Economic Growth team at Portsmouth City Council where she was the account manager for fast-growing SMEs and delivered a range of business support initiatives. Alison has held a number of economic regeneration and project management roles within local authorities and for both urban and rural regeneration partnerships. Prior to joining Portsmouth, Alison worked for the North East Rural Growth Network, where she launched and managed a new funding programme to stimulate enterprise development in rural locations across Northumberland and County Durham. Alison has a MBA from Durham University, a Masters in Urban Policy and Regeneration from University of Northumbria and is a Member of the Association for Project Management.
Register of Interest
Anne-Marie Mountifield's Register of Interest can be found here.
Biography
Anne-Marie Mountifield has been the Chief Executive and Board Director at the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) for the last 7 years.
A member of the Institute of Directors, and the National Maritime UK Council she is also a 'Women in Maritime' ambassador.
Before taking up the role as Chief Executive at Solent LEP, Anne-Marie held senior executive leadership posts for more than 20 years in further education, the Civil Service (Department of Business Innovation and Skills) and local government.
An inspirational leader, Anne-Marie clearly conveys the vision for the Solent LEP and leads on the development of the strategy for the area and the roll out of the Solent £1bn Capital & Infrastructure programme.
Register of Interest
Becky's register of interest an be viewed here
Biography
Becky joined the Solent LEP in 2019 after 3 years working with the Solent Growth Hub to assist SME’s in the region to access funding and support. Previous to this Becky has worked in Evaluation and monitoring, reconciliations within the Financial services industry and has gained varied skills in customer service focused roles.
Becky moved to the area from Buckinghamshire to gain a BA hons in Photography from Solent University and has remained in the Solent area ever since.
Register of Interest
Chloe's Register of Interests can be viewed here
Biography
Chloe joined the Solent LEP in November 2018 coming from a background of working with education and employers. Chloe started her career undertaking an Apprenticeship in Business and has now worked within the careers and education sector for over 7 years.
Chloe will be using her knowledge and experience to engage with a number of schools and colleges across the Solent area to help build relationships between education and employers to support the skills gap and help prepare young people for the world of work.
Register of Interest
Chris Heath's Register of Interest can be found here
Biography
Chris joined Solent LEP in April 2017 as Programme Officer responsible for European Funding.
Prior to joining the Solent LEP, Chris had worked for a number of years in the Civil Service at the Land Registry. His more recent roles involved working at a local law firm in the Portsmouth area as well as international and local law firms in London. As an Office Manager for a law firm in London Chris took a lead role in business development. Chris's expertise lies in audits and compliance to ensure exacting legislative standards and scheme requirements, for example Law Society Quality Standards, Investors in People, are met whilst identifying areas and actions for improvement to improve business efficiency.
Chris has lived in the Solent area since 1989.
Chris took up the position of Local Growth Project Manager (Capital and Infrastructure) in October 2018
Register of Interest
Elisha Martin's Register of Interest can be found here
Biography
Elisha joined the Solent LEP in November 2017 as a Business Support Assistant and is currently completing her Level 4 Business Administration apprenticeship.
Prior to joining the LEP Team, Elisha completed a Level 3 Business Administration apprenticeship with a regional firm of solicitors. Previously Elisha studied at Peter Symonds College in Winchester and achieved 3 A Levels in French, Spanish and Human Biology.
Elisha was born in and has lived in the Portsmouth area all her life.
Register of Interest
Jade Fuller's Register of Interest can be found here
Biography
Jade joined the Solent LEP on secondment from EBP South in December 2015. Working on behalf of The Careers and Enterprise Company as an Enterprise Coordinator she will be recruiting 25 Enterprise Advisers from businesses across the region to work in partnership with local schools to support in enterprise and careers education for young people.
Drawing on her previous experience within local Education Business Partnerships (EBPs), Jade will continue to work closely with schools and organisations across the Solent area, looking to bridge the skills gaps and promote a sustainable enterprise provision within schools.
Jade became the Local Growth Project Manager Employment and Skills in April 2018.
Biography
James is the nominated Value for Money Officer and lead for Risk Management at Portsmouth City Council in their role as accountable body to the Solent LEP.
Register of Interest
James Ford's Register of Interest can be found here
Biography
James was appointed to the role of Business Engagement and Growth hub Manager at the Solent LEP in April 2018. Before joining the LEP James was Business development Manager at Southampton Football Club and was responsible for sourcing and activating new partnerships with both small and large employers. James`s Previous roles included Project Manager & Mobilisation Manager and Head of Apprenticeships and Employability, whereby James was responsible for the implementation of new contracts, Business engagement and operational delivery across numerous regions throughout England.
Prior to this James was a professional football player with AFC Bournemouth and Personal trainer, having set up and created his own business.
Register of Interest
Jayne Sime's Register of Interest can be found here
Biography
Jayne joined the Solent LEP in 2018 after 3 years working with the Solent Growth Hub to assist SME’s in the region to access funding and support. Previously, Jayne has held business development roles within both the publishing and recruitment industries.
Jayne holds a degree in English Literature and Philosophy from the University of Hertfordshire, and has gained valuable experience creating and running her own business.
Register of Interest
Josie's biography can be viewed here
Biography
Josie joined the Solent LEP in July 2019 as an Office Administrator Apprentice. She is currently completing her Level 3 in Business Administration.
Prior to joining the LEP Team, Josie completed a NVQ Level 2 in Health and Social care. This was an Apprenticeship within the Public Health sector of Portsmouth City Council where she worked as a Wellbeing Worker Apprentice. In addition Josie has experience working within the NHS and various other public facing roles.
Josie wanted to combine her skills around public engagement and administrative support to benefit the future of the region.
Register of Interest
Kate Cloud's Register of Interest can be found here
Biography
Kate joined the team as Local Growth Programme Manager: Capital and Infrastructure in September 2018. Kate spent 16 years in local authority economic development teams supporting businesses directly as well as providing a voice for businesses within Councils. This included managing European funding streams, developing the Council's economic strategies, and pioneering new approaches to engage with local business communities.
Kate has a degree in Geography and Rural Planning from the University of Gloucestershire, and is a Member of the Institute of Economic Development. She has live in Hampshire for much of her life and enjoys spending leisure time in the Solent region with her young family.
Register of Interest
Maz Garside's Register of Interest can be found here
Biography
Maz joined the Solent LEP in January 2019 as the Marketing Communications Officer with the key aim of strengthening and developing stakeholder relations. With over 20 years' experience in communications and stakeholder planning, Maz has worked in the social housing and higher education sectors. In her last role with Southampton City Council, she led on communications associated with air quality projects.
Maz has a Masters in Communication & Language and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations.
Biography
I joined the LEP as Enterprise Coordinator for the Solent Careers Hub on secondment from Brockenhurst College in September 2019.
My role will be recruiting volunteer Enterprise Advisers from local industry leaders, and matching them with local schools. Part of the recent government careers strategy is to improve careers outcomes for young people, and bridge the skills gaps in our local Solent economy.
Supporting strategic engagement with the Enterprise Adviser Network and local schools will support the Gatsby benchmarks. Achieving Gatsby benchmarks will ensure our young people have the career opportunity and guidance to provide future talent and technical skills for the area. It will enable a sustainable growth of talent in our strategic key industries.
My role in business development for the past 11 years has involved engaging employers, supporting schools, parents and young people with apprenticeships. Previous to this, I have 25 years commercial account management experience within industries such as telecoms, manufacturing, and government support agencies.
Register of Interest
Nicki Craven's Register of Interest can be found here
Biography
Nicki joined the Solent LEP in October 2018 bringing 15 years experience of secondary education.
Drawing on her knowledge of enterprise, careers and work related learning Nicki works closely with schools and organisations across the region, supporting schools within the Solent East Careers Hub to meet the Gatsby benchmarks. Through the Enterprise Adviser Network, Nicki builds effective relationships to bridge the skills gap and help transform careers education for young people in the Solent.
Nicki has a BA (Hons) in Leadership, Business and Management from the University of Portsmouth and has lived across the Solent region from the New Forest to East Hants.
Register of Interest
Nicola Twiddy's Register of Interest can be found here
Biography
Nicola joined the Solent LEP in February 2013, as Personal Assistant to Anne-Marie Mountifield, Chief Executive of the Solent LEP. In 2015 Nicola became the Solent LEP's Office Manager and PA to Anne-Marie Mountifield.
Prior to joining the LEP team, Nicola held a number of roles in the Financial Service Industry, including supporting a team of Independent Financial Advisers and Regional Managers at The Royal Bank of Scotland for the previous 10 years. Nicola holds a degree in Business Studies.
Register of Interest
Paris Brown's Register of Interest can be found here
Biography
Paris joined the Solent LEP in January 2018 as a Programme Officer.
Before joining the LEP team, Paris lived in Kent and worked at Swale Borough Council within the Commissioning & Open Spaces Team as an apprentice and then moved on into the Housing team working primarily with homeless 16 & 17 year olds. Paris moved to Portsmouth and began working for BAE based in Portsmouth Naval Base within a contractor management department.
Paris holds a Level 3 Business Diploma and is currently completing a part-time BSc Hons degree whilst in full-time employment.
Register of Interest
Richard Jones' Register of Interest can be found here
Biography
Richard joined the Solent LEP in February 2011, with the board still in shadow form, and provided executive and communications support to the board in relation to development of all major areas of work. Richard is now Assistant Director of Corporate Governance and Communications.
Before joining the LEP team, Richard held a number of communication based roles in a variety of organisations; including Portsmouth City Council and the Labour Party. Richard holds two degrees; a BA in Media and Sociology from the University of London and an MA in Political Communications from Cardiff University. With the exception of time spent away at University, Richard has lived in the Solent region his entire life and is currently based in the Portsmouth area.
Register of Interest
Sara Denham's Register of Interest can be found here
Biography
Sara joined the Solent LEP in October 2018 having worked at the University of Portsmouth for 15 years as a widening participation practitioner and manager.
Drawing on her previous experience of Pre-16 outreach in both further and higher education, Sara will continue to work closely with schools, colleges and businesses to establish the Solent East Careers Hub.
Sara holds two degrees from the University of Portsmouth; a BA (Hons) in Business Studies and an MSc in Educational Leadership and Management. Sara has been a Portsmouth school governor since 2001 and represented the British Councils collaborative Governance project with the Russian Ministry of Education and Science at the 2006 Civil G8 for NGOs.
Register of Interest
Steve Futter's Register of Interest can be found here
Biography
Steve joined the Solent LEP in April 2013 to lead the development of key LEP funding programmes and set up a brand new Account Management function at the LEP. Since joining, Steve has been busy launching, managing and administering more funding programmes as the LEP continues to secure new contracts for delivery across the region.
Prior to joining the LEP, Steve had gained a wealth of experience of grant and programme management, and strategic and partnership development, in a range of charitable, public and private sector organisations. Most recently, he had spent six years at the Football Foundation developing and managing the Mayor of London's £7.5m investment into community sports venues as part of the Olympic Legacy programme. Steve lives in Southampton with his young family and, after six years commuting to London, is really happy to working back in the region.
Steve became the Head of Capital and Infrastructure in April 2018.
Register of Interest
Siobhan Flynn's Register of Interest can be found here
Biography
Siobhan joined the Solent LEP in April 2014, as the Local Growth Programme Manager: Employment and Skills. Siobhan's key role is to deliver the Skills Plan, in conjunction with the Strategic Economic Plan and European Investment Strategy. Prior to this role Siobhan has held a number of economic regeneration posts across district, unitary and county councils in the sub-region. Siobhan has significant experience both strategic and operational, of projects and programmes ranging from labour market interventions for unemployed residents to SME support and workforce development. Siobhan also has a background in European funding.
Siobhan has a degree in Geography from Portsmouth and a post-graduate diploma in local and regional economic development from Coventry, Sheffield Hallam and Dundee Universities. Siobhan is also a member of the Institute of Economic Development.
Register of Interest
Sophie Taylor's Register of Interest can be found here
Biography
Sophie joined the Solent LEP in 2018 after working with the Solent Growth Hub for the last 3 years as a business support navigator assisting businesses in the region with their growth plans.
Sophie started her career at the Hampshire Chamber of Commerce where she completed her Level 2 & 3 Apprenticeship in Business Administration.
Throughout Sophie’s career to date she has gained a diverse insight into business support, administration and marketing and is passionate about helping to drive the local economy forward through supporting local business growth.
Sophie was recognised in The Evening News Apprentice of the Year awards in 2014 for her commitment and academic achievements.
Register of Interest
Stuart Baker's Register of Interest can be found here
Biography
Stu was appointed to Head of Local Growth in March 2014. Prior to this, Stu had worked for the Solent LEP since July 2013, seconded from Solent Transport for two days per week, providing the LEP Board with strategic transport advice and support. During that time, Stu also managed Solent Transport (formerly TfSHIoW), which is the strategic transport planning partnership of the four Local Transport Authorities of the Solent area. Before taking up the TfSHIoW role, Stu held transport planning posts at Hampshire County Council and at District Councils, so has worked across the local authority spectrum.
Prior to his career in transport, Stu worked as a secondary and sixth-form teacher of Geography at three schools in England and Wales, as a commercial insurance underwriter at Axa, and as a commercial insurance team leader at Aon. Stu has two degrees, a BA in Geography from the University of Portsmouth and an MSc in Transport Planning and Management from the University of Westminster. He was also one of the first in the country to be awarded Transport Planning Professional (TPP) status, the professional qualification for transport planners.
Stu was born in Southampton and has lived in the area for most of his life.