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.
A special thanks must go to Steven Hardy for his hard work, commitment and professional guidance as company secretary for LEAP since its inception. Steven will be handing over the role of company secretary to Lisa Whitelam at LEAP’s AHM and will be sadly missed by all. LEAP would like to give a warm welcome to Lisa and look forward to working with her over the years to come.
Director's CV’s
MARTIN HODGKINSON MSc FCIOB (CHAIRPERSON) – THE CARLTON HOUSE CONSULTANCY
Martin is a Methodist Local Preacher with a 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 turnover of £200m per annum. He was responsible for introducing BS5750/ISO 9000 into the Group, covering Construction, Design, Development, Plumbing, Electrical, Joinery Manufacturing and Maintenance Companies Operations. The first Construction Company to introduce ISO 9000 into the building Industry.
Other Directorships include LAGAT/Quest Group of Companies Ltd, 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.
STEVEN ROBERT HARDY LLB – (COMPANY SECRETARY)
Steven has been a Solicitor with Burton and Dyson since 1991 and a Partner since 1993. As well as acting as a general commercial lawyer for a range of business clients, he has a particular interest in Competition and Employment Law.
Steven is a none-executive Director of a food processing company and the Honorary Secretary of the Lincolnshire Law Society.
Steven is the Founding Company Secretary of LEAP, a day care centre for the elderly, and a charity promoting infrastructure development in Africa. Steven advises a variety of local charities and voluntary organisations on a ad-hoc basis.
LISA WHITELAM LLB – (Company Secretary as of 27th November 2008)
Lisa joined Burton and Dyson in 2000 and has been a partner since April of 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 Vice-President of the Gainsborough Area Council for the Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce, and is a representative on the Accredited Landlords Forum in West Lindsey, advising the steering group on landlord and tenant law, as well as being a member of the local rural management board of a local housing association.
ROGER MILLETT – STREETS LLP
Roger is a partner of Streets, a leading firm of Chartered Accountants with over 120 staff at 5 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 plc’s, 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 52 out of over 16000 accountancy practices in England and Wales.
In addition, he is a Director/Trustee of a number of other business and charitable organisations.
HANNAH SPENCER – THE LAGAT GROUP
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.
The companies are responsible for training and finding people work at a rate of 70 to 100 jobs per week as well as supporting our local business in staff training and up-skilling their workforce in many occupational areas.
Hannah Spencer is an ‘Investor’ in People’ Consultant and advised LEAP on the stages necessary to it successfully achieving Investor in People status in July 2005.
Hanna Spencer is a Justice of the Peace and also a member of a wide range of committees seeking to improve and develop our local economy, environment, homelessness, skills shortage, and criminal justice.
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 NatWest Bank working with start ups through to established commercial clients
In addition Neil has sat on a number of advisory committes 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 Lagat business in Lincolnshire with a turnover in excess of £250 m pounds.
Graham was involved in the early development that lead to LEAP’s founding Board of Directors and first successful fundraising of £250,000 from the NNLB.
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.