Our Team

Jon is responsible for managing the team and has over 40 years of experience including an extensive private sector career in multi-national precision engineering through to leading teams of specialist business and digital consultants, delivering support services to enterprises across the East Midlands. Jon is passionate about helping enterprises grow and with a strong expertise in manufacturing and digital technologies his ultimate aim is to deliver effective business support and advice to businesses across Leicester and Leicestershire.

Russ has been running businesses since 1975 - from sole trader to CEO of a multi-million, multi-site pub/restaurant chain.

He is a qualified high-growth and executive business coach and an NLP practitioner with over 15 years’ experience supporting business owners. His passion (apart from fly fishing) is helping local businesses grow and prosper.

Altaf has worked for Leicester City Council since August 2014 and has extensive knowledge and expertise in business support. Although he has strong experience of working across sectors, his specialisms are Fashion and Textile Manufacturing, Advanced Manufacturing and General Manufacturing.

He has proactively supported businesses in different ways including exploring new ideas for growth, diversification, improving productivity and profitability as well as how to secure funding and supporting on job creation.

Altaf has helped deliver various programmes successfully including Enterprising Leicestershire, Collaborate for Growth, and Discretionary Business Rates Relief. He is a sector lead for Fashion and Textiles in Leicester and Leicestershire.

Aruna has worked in the business sector for the last 10 years, specialising in coaching, mentoring, business consultancy, business advice and project management.

She has considerable experience in managing people in terms of strategic partnerships, business growth, and working in the areas of business support and innovation.

She is client-focused in delivering advice and guidance to SMEs with a strong understanding of business growth strategies.

Aruna has a good understanding of running a business and the challenges it can bring having run her own small business.

In addition, she has worked as a creative and enterprise manager with 27 years’ experience in the private, public and voluntary sectors and developed excellent networks.  She is a member of the Institute of Consulting and a Certified Management Consultant.

Ann has been supporting businesses with all aspects of doing business overseas as International Trade Adviser with the Department for International Trade (DIT). For two years prior to that Ann was with Coventry University Enterprises on an EU-funded programme, giving funding to support international activity.

She has worked with a wide range of companies covering all sizes and business sectors and was DIT's Technology Sector Lead for the West Midlands.

Prior to this Ann has a wealth of experience within both the private and public sector as well as running her own successful design business.

Andrea is an international trade specialist with more than 24 years in the industry. Andrea specialises in Importing, Exporting, Brexit-related issues, Business Resilience and Business Growth. She delivers 1 to 1 and 1 to many support sessions for the Growth Hub.

She is a business development specialist having worked in the Chemicals, IT, and Professional Services sectors, holding senior roles within FTSE, NASDAQ and Euronext companies including ICI and RightNow. A passionate ambassador of UK micro businesses and SMEs, she launched The Export Department to assist these companies in expanding their horizons internationally and raise the profile of UK goods and services abroad.

Joanna, motivated by her passion to improve people’s lives and their communities for the better, has held a wide range of leadership and management posts in the public, voluntary and private sectors. 

In addition, she recently set up and ran her own business which has given her invaluable insights into the challenges small business owners face and ways they can be overcome.

Her skillset is wide-ranging and includes project, business and operational management, business planning, business development and creating and implementing effective marketing strategy.

So, whether you’re starting out or already running an SME, Joanna can assist you to apply the most appropriate business tools, advice and support to improve your business, overcome challenges and achieve your goals.

Matt has worked in business support for 18 years, helping businesses of all sizes and ages to grow and become sustainable.

He has worked with companies across the city and county from all sectors, helping many companies apply for grants, tenders and loans. Matt understands how businesses work and how to secure funding that is right for them.

This knowledge, combined with an understanding of business support provision across the city, means Matt can offer high-quality support to every business he works with.

Outside of work, Matt is a Leicester City Season ticket holder.

Paul comes with 8 years’ experience having worked as a business relationship manager for Barclays Bank. His role involved managing a number of existing growth businesses, from different sectors, with specialist focus on lending significant funds, from funding working capital needs, to buying new business premises.

This experience has given him a sound understanding of financial accounts and writing effective funding applications (useful if you are interested in the Business Growth Grant!)

Paul has also worked on a European-funded start-up project at Coventry University giving him an appreciation of how businesses develop ideas and commercialise them.

In addition Paul has delivered workshops on cashflow, finance and building a successful business plan using lean model canvas methodology.

Paul’s key passions outside work include Leicester Tigers, F1 and mountain walking.

Nade spent many years working in the business support sector on ERDF contracts and in the social enterprise sector before joining the Growth Hub team.

As part of the Frontline Adviser team, Nade is one of the first ports of call for businesses interested in securing support for their growth and development and can help businesses to understand what is out there to assist with their plans.

Rupa has a background in customer service and communications.

Her past roles include administration and business support as well as counselling. Her motto is ‘don’t stop until you’ve exceeded your expectations, then do it all over again with new goals!”

Rupa is one of the first ports of call for businesses helping them to understand what help is available to assist their growth ambitions.

Tom can provide business support, advice and guidance to SMEs on enhancing and growing their business with the use of digital technology and IT. 

He also provides support and guidance in the application process for the technology grant scheme as part of the Digital Growth Programme.

Tom is passionate about supporting businesses, and having been a business owner for many years, understands the challenges faced by SMEs today. He is an advocate of exploiting digital technology to help your business grow and thrive.

With extensive experience in business coaching, mentoring, business planning and growth strategies as well as a technical background in software development and networks - Tom is able to provide extensive support and digital advice to SMEs.

Prashant provides business support, advice and guidance to SMEs on how they can enhance and grow their business with the use of digital technology and IT.  He also supports SMEs in the application process for the technology grant scheme offered as part of the Digital Growth Programme.

With over 20 years of IT experience, working in both private and public sectors, Prashant brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the team. He can extensively support and advise in a number of digital services including eCommerce, software development, IT Infrastructure, connectivity, mobility and digital strategic planning.

Prashant is passionate about supporting businesses - helping them thrive and grow.

Maria is an experienced professional with more than 20 years' working at Director level. She is skilled at working with SMEs and engaging and supporting ambitious start-ups, or growing companies who require specialist skills and direction to achieve their growth potential.

Maria has strong financial skills which enable growth in revenue and margins by understanding the cost base and then structuring the product/service portfolio to optimum effect. She is able to draw on these skills to support businesses looking for this type of expertise through the Growth Hub.

Maria is dedicated to supporting businesses and helping them grow and achieve their best performance.