Meet the Team

Jason Bell – Business Services Manager

 Jason, along with his team, is responsible for the day to day running of the Elsie Whiteley Innovation Centre.  His role is to make sure that things run smoothly and that everyone using the Centre: tenants; visitors and guests have a positive experience.  Jason started at ‘Elsie Whiteley’ in January 2009.  His background is customer service and management, previously working at ABL in Bradford, Step Training for Business in Halifax and several hotels in the local area.

 
Colin Gatenby – Concierge

 Colin has been with EWIC since it opened in September 2006.  Colin is responsible for setting up and managing the conference facilities, for health & safety & security and for meeting and greeting conference guests. Colin was with HBOS for 17 years but before that was a submariner for 12 years.

 
Neil Graham – Hygiene Technician

 Neil has also been with the centre since it opened in September 2006.  Neil is responsible for the maintenance and cleanliness of the building. He has gained a wealth of experience in this area working for a variety of companies in Halifax.

 
Allah Ditta – Security & Reception

 Ditta joined the team at ‘Elsie Whiteley’ in October 2006.  He is responsible for site security and handling public and tenant enquiries at reception. Ditta previously worked with Barclay’s Bank throughout West Yorkshire for four years in a customer services role.

 

Barbara Harbinson – Chief Executive

 Barbara heads up Halifax Opportunities Trust, the regeneration Charity responsible for running the Elsie Whiteley Innovation Centre.  Barbara is also Chief Executive of the Innovation Centre itself.  Before relocating to Halifax to join the Opportunities Trust as its first Chief Executive Barbara worked as a Manager in Regeneration and in Further and Higher Education, prior to that she was involved in International Construction and International Development projects in the UK and Overseas.

 

Ha Smith - Business Development Manager

 Ha has been with Elsie Whiteley Innovation Centre since January 2008, working on funded projects to assist local businesses with performance improvements and up skilling. Before joining the Centre Ha was with Birmingham City University for 10 years, being the key agent in delivering comprehensive business solutions services to local firms interested in improving, and often diversifying their businesses through innovation, marketing communications and technology transfer.  On her last major project, Ha managed a team of Business Solutions Analysts, and have provided a suite of business services to over six hundred different companies covering a two year span, through a mix of £11million of public/private funding and enterprise.

 
Hannah Crank – Marketing and Events Co-ordinator

 Hannah joined the Centre in March 2010 working primarily on the Creative Calderdale initiative to start-up and run a creative and digital industry network in Calderdale, including online hub and regular networking events. Before joining the Centre, Hannah spent 7 years working in the TV industry as a scheduler and Production Co-ordinator for programmes such as My Parents Are Aliens and The Bad Mother’s Handbook.

 
Serish Majid – Receptionist

 Serish has been with the centre since September 2009. She is in the process of completing a Business NVQ L2 apprenticeship at Huddersfield Technical College. At the end of this, in July 2010 Serish will be joining the team as part time receptionist. 

 
Usma Iqbal – Receptionist

 Usma joined the team at ‘Elsie Whiteley’ in February 2010.  She is the first point of call for all visitors, who deals with customer queries and undertakes other admin duties for staff and tenants when required. Usma has been with Halifax Opportunities Trust since April 2009 and worked at Hanson Lane Enterprise Centre as a receptionist. She works at Elsie Whiteley two mornings a week, Sure Start three mornings a week and afternoons at Hanson Lane Enterprise Centre.