Team Profiles
Tony Hawkins - Managing Director
Tony has over 25 years industry experience at Managing Director / Senior Director Level gained within the Food Industry within blue chip retail and manufacturing. Tony joined Glyndŵr University 3 years ago and was appointed MD of Glyndŵr Innovations in 2008. Believing passionately in delivering quality customer service Tony has overall responsibility for all GI Activities.
Suzanne joined the Innovations team in 2009, bringing with her over 18 years senior management experience within the Banking sector, notably within the sales and customer services arena. In addition to training and consultancy activities. In addition to Managing the Training and Consultancy Team to achieve University KPI’s where Business Engagement is paramount, Suzanne also works alongside Managing Director Tony Hawkins to create University Spinout Companies where she builds relationships with companies and Academics who wish to link with the University’s expertise.
Commercial Tenders & Collaborative Bids
Commercial tenders form an important part of the Glyndwr strategy of engaging with businesses by offering comprehensive training and consultancy solutions. Collaborative bids are written combining expertise and services from HEIs and FECs across Wales to delivery projects in line with Glyndwr development strategies.
Emma Taylor (Commercial and Collaborative Bids Executive)
With a BA (Hons) in European Studies and French, Having worked both in France and its overseas territories Emma is fluent in a number of languages. Emma joined the Innovations team in 2009 and brings substantial experience in both International and UK sales having spent over 7 years in the Manufacturing industry with blue chip companies. Emma is responsible for and manages all Commercial tenders and collaborative bids within Glyndwr Innovations.
Emma is Currently on Maternity Leave until end Jan 2012 - contact Rachel Lacey
Rachel Lacey (Commercial and Collaborative Bids Executive)
With a BA (Hons) in European Studies and German, Rachel lived in Germany for two years as a Rotary International Scholar. Having been a Business Development Manager and Training Manager in three Further Education colleges for twenty years, she then worked in Shropshire Council as an External Funding Officer before joining the Innovations team in March 2011. She brings substantial experience in securing funding from a variety of sources, including ESF, ERDF, Lottery, local government, the former RDAs and charitable funds. Rachel works alongside Emma Taylor managing Commercial tenders and collaborative bids within Glyndwr Innovations.
Training and Consultancy
The training and consultancy team are equally responsible for the promotion, development and ongoing organisation of all training and consultancy activities. Our specialist training and consultancy team are available to spend time with you at your Company premises to understand your objectives and develop tailor-made training programmes in accordance with your requirements.
With a BA (Hons) in Social Science, and PTLLS qualified, Kim has extensive experience of working within Industry, the NHS and Universities in a number of key roles. With over 3 years at Glyndwr University Kim has substantial experience in linking the University’s expertise to meet business and public sector needs.
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs)
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) is a UK-wide programme enabling businesses to improve their competitiveness, productivity and performance. The KTP team are equally responsible for the promotion, management and development of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships.
Sam joined the University 3 years ago having previously worked across industry and the public sector in a number of wide ranging roles. In addition to the KTP activities, Sam is responsible for the promotion and development of KTPs. Sam is also responsible for the development of a range of “Business Engagement Events” both at the University and across the region.
Business, Research & Administration
With a BA (Hons) In Business Management, Emma joined the Innovations team in 2009 having previously spent 8 years within the Financial Sector working in Corporate Banking in research and marketing roles. Emma is responsible for Knowledge Transfer projects post approval process within the team and is also responsible for business research projects, and all online media within the business.
Vanessa joined the Innovations team in September 2010 having previously worked for the Student Funding & Welfare Department within the University. Previous to this Vanessa has worked in various senior administrative roles within the Private Sector. Vanessa is currently responsible for all aspects of business administration & finance within Glyndwr Innovations. Vanessa is also responsible for Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) administration.
Leadership Management Wales
Based at Redwither Tower, Wrexham Industrial Estate. LMW promotes the theory, method and practices associated with the development of managers and leaders in order to help businesses meet the challenges they face and to help them increase their continuing effectiveness, efficiency and profitability.
Laura Gough (nee Willington) - Commercial Manager (LMW)
Laura has over 10 years’ experience in higher education, working to establish and develop strong relationships between the university sector and industry in a number of key roles. She has worked on and managed a number of funded projects working primarily with SMEs across North and Mid Wales. Laura’s previous roles include GO Wales Work Experience Officer, managing the GO Wales Placement Programme within the University, Business Engagement Executive working with both academia and business to develop new Knowledge Transfer Partnership projects, and Business Development Executive working on the development of training and consultancy activities. Laura has extensive experience in managing and organising business events, including learning networks and large scale business award ceremonies. Laura holds a degree in Business Studies and a masters degree in Public Sector Management.
Gemma Wrathall (Network Development Officer)
Gemma is responsible for promoting the activities of LMW to businesses, support agencies and networks across the North Wales Region. Gemma joined LMW in January 2010 from Glyndwr University where she worked within Glyndwr Innovations. During her time in Glyndwr Innovation, she was responsible for all aspects of administration and coordination of consultancy activity. Gemma was the first point of contact for the business.
Before that she spent 8 years in the banking industry, working across a wide range of sectors – including fraud, compliance, and information security, as well as process improvement management. In 2007, Gemma led a project to transition Canadian access controls from the U.S. to the U.K. by travelling to Canada to build relations to ensure a successful and seamless transition resulting in significant cost savings. In addition to this, she qualified as a counsellor in 2006 after having spent 2 years on a placement within a large North Wales GP Surgery.
Jessica joined the team in August 2010 as part of the Go Wales Placement Scheme. Having previously worked in.jpg)
an extensive variety of work environments within the public sector in a number of roles. Jessica is responsible for the planning and development of LMW operations and events at the Glyndŵr Management Centre. Jessica is the first point of contact for the North Wales office, and provides full support in organising and evaluating LMW North Wales Learning Networks. Jessica holds a degree in Health, Safety and Environmental Management and is NEBOSH certified, both obtained through her studies at Glyndwr University.
Sector Advocates
Rebecca joined Glyndwr University’s Student Recruitment and Widening Access Department in December 2008 bringing with her over 8 years experience within the banking sector working across a wide range of areas including Sales, HR and Recruitment & Events Management roles.
Rebecca’s advocate role is based within the DFES ESF Sector Priority Fund Pilot Project.
Responsiblities include development of partnerships between SSC’s and training providers to enable the flow of intelligence between SSC’s and training providers to inform industry needs, articulating the voice of employers to inform a more demand responsive delivery system that is reflective of the training and skills needs underpinned by employer demand.
The sector advocate role is externally funded by the Sector Priorities Fund Pilot Programme (SPFP) and is designed to take forward project activity led by Sector Skills Councils (SSC’s) working within a team of 8 advocates throughout Wales. The role helps facilitate the development of partnerships between SSC’s and training providers enabling the flow of intelligence between SSC’s and training providers to inform the skills requirements of industry resulting in a more demand responsive system.
International
With a BA (Hons) in Leisure Management, Matthew joined the Innovations team in September 2011, having spent 9 years on the national widening participation Aimhigher programme, working with schools, colleges, universities and businesses, to plan, co-ordinate and arrange a wide variety of exciting and innovative events and projects. Matthew will work to form relationships with international partners, co-ordinate projects both nationally and internationally and organise business conferences and Continuing Professional Development programmes.
Gill joined the Innovations International team in September 2011 after having spent 21 years in the banking industry, working across a wide range of sectors – including asset finance, compliance, IT support, risk and quality management. Gill is responsible for working to develop new business for the university through the development of partnerships with industry, business and other educational training providers, primarily internationally. Gill’s role is to ensure that all ventures are both commercially viable and at the same time, do not compromise quality.
With a BSc (Hons) in Sociology from the University of Leicester, Jemma joined the Innovations Team in October 2011, bringing with her over 7 years’ experience working within Events and Project Management in the Private and Public sectors. As one of the newest recruits within the Glyndwr Innovations International Team, Jemma will work to form relationships with International partners, co-ordinate projects In the UK and Internationally and organise Business conferences and Continuing Professional Development programmes.