LEAP has a dedicated Board of Trustees of whom many have been involved since its original formation and inception as a registered charity back in 1994. The Board members themselves provide invaluable skills to the organisation and between them they hold an impressive portfolio.
DIRECTORS' CVS
MARTIN HODGKINSON, MSc FCIOB (CHAIRPERSON) - DIRECTOR
Martin is a Methodist Local Preacher with particular interest in charitable community projects, partnerships with the business community, and the benefits to companies, its employees, and the community/charity involved. He is studying for a PhD by Research at the Lincoln University, School of Management, to further these interests.
Previously, Martin worked as a senior director for Simons Construction Group, Lincoln, with a turnover of £200m per annum. He was responsible for introducing BS5750/ISO 9000 into the group.
Other Directorships included LAGAT/Quest Group of Companies, AfPiC, Cornerstone Connections, Lincoln Christians in Mission Ltd, Lincolnshire Youth Mission Ltd, and Lincoln Street Pastors Ltd
Martin is also Chairman of HURT Ltd, which is developing the £6m+ value Genesis Social Enterprise Centre and Alfreton Hall in Alfreton, Derbyshire.
LISA WHITELAM, LLB – COMPANY SECRETARY
Lisa joined Burton & Dyson in 2000 and has been a partner since April 2008. Based in the commercial team, Lisa undertakes all types of commercial work, with a special emphasis on litigation and disputes. Lisa’s expertise includes dilapidations claims, contractual disputes and warranty claims, in addition to employment tribunal work.
Lisa is President of the Gainsborough Area Council for the Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce, as well as a member of the local rural management board of a local housing association
ROGER MILLETT – DIRECTOR
Roger was, until recently, a partner of Streets, a leading firm of chartered accountants with over 150 staff at 8 offices across the East Midlands. As a business adviser, Roger believes that you can only assist clients if you put yourself in their shoes. This, he does through his own experience gained as a finance director to two PLCs, as well as combining a number of other roles for clients. His specialist areas of interest include corporate business, not for profit organisations, charities and professional practices – having co-authored an industry guide book, Solicitors (now in its 2nd edition). A recent survey undertaken by the profession’s leading press, Accountancy Age, ranked Streets 33 out of over 16000 accountancy practices in England Wales.
Roger continues to provide consultancy services and in addition, he is a director/trustee of a number of other businesses and charitable organisations.
HANNAH SPENCER – DIRECTOR
Hannah Spencer is the Managing Director of the LAGAT Group, which comprises a training and development company and two staff recruitment companies, which deliver an excellent and quality service to business and the local community.
Hannah is a Justice of the Peace and a school and college governor. Hannah also chairs quite a wide range of committees for schools and work based learning providers.
NEIL McDOWALL – DIRECTOR
Neil is an associate partner with Saul Fairholm Chartered Accountants, developing their business advice, consultancy, and corporate finance services.
Neil has extensive business experience gained through 28 years at Nat West Bank working with start ups through to established commercial clients.
In addition, Neil has sat on a number of advisory committees linked to the Chamber and Business Link.
GRAHAM BRATBY – DIRECTOR
Graham has vast experience of HR and business management. He was, until recently, the human resources, corporate affairs, property maintenance service, security and motor group controller for, and of, the Co-Op business in Lincolnshire with a turnover in excess of £250m.
Graham was involved in the early development that led to LEAP’s founding Board of Directors and first successful fundraising of £250,000 from the NLCB.
In addition, he is a director and shareholder in a number of businesses, he has his own building company and is actively involved as a trustee in the education and voluntary sector.
He has a degree in Sociology, Post Graduate Diploma in Personnel Management, and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personal Development.
MARGARET SERNA FCMA; FLOD - DIRECTOR
Margaret has extensive experience of both the public and private sectors. She held a number of senior posts with ICI before moving into the NHS in the early 1990s. A chartered accountant by profession Margaret was appointed Chief Executive of Lincolnshire Ambulance and Health Transport NHS Trust in 2000 – the first female to hold such a role in the UK. In 2007 Margaret became MD of Passenger Services at TransLinc, based in Lincoln, following a management ‘buy-in/buy-out’ that was backed by private equity.
Margaret now runs her own boutique consultancy advising on market entry strategies; integrated transport solutions; business re-design; performance management reporting; financial effectiveness and efficiency to both private and public sector clients. In her spare time her voluntary roles include being County Treasurer for St John Ambulance in Lincolnshire; a governor and Chair of Audit at Lincoln and Newark College and a member of the Prince's Trust Development Committee in Lincolnshire. Margaret also serves as a public member for Network Rail.