Stephen Higham

Experience

• 

  Manchester Enterprises

  Oct 2001 - Oct 2002

  Funding Assistant

   To provide administrative support for the Action Plan Manager, Funding Manager, and Monitoring Officer Prepared Offer Letters for the Manchester sub region ERDF Objective 1 Action Plan Appraised and scored ERDF funding applications  Dealt with enquiries from project managers in line with funding programme

• 

  Wigan Council

  Oct 2002 - May 2005

   Devised and implemented monitoring systems for ERDF & SRB funding programmes of which Wigan Council were the Accountable Body Processed quarterly claims and prepared action plan claims for a variety of funding streams Preparation and presented a number of ERDF workshops for project managers  Conducted verification visits and worked with under-performing projects to rectify problems where necessary  Undertook mentoring role for successful project applicants Assisted in the training and work allocation for both the Graduate Trainee and junior staff member Show less

  • Economic Regeneration Officer

    Aug 2003 - May 2005

  • Monitoring Officer

    Oct 2002 - Aug 2003
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  British Waterways

  May 2005 - Jul 2012

  Regeneration Projects Manager

   Identify, develop, and implement a portfolio of projects and initiatives to ensure that appropriate investment is achieved within British Waterways  Secure appropriate third party funding from a range of different funding streams including lottery and government grants  Ensure that projects are delivered to time and budget and output targets are met Develop relationships with partners in the public, private and voluntary sectors with a range of people at different levels to achieve common objectives Obtain internal authorizations for project implementation by presentation of a strong business case Procuring resources for project delivery through tendering and appraisal Initiate and maintain risk logs for individual projects Completion and dissemination of project reports for senior management meetings and external stakeholders Updating SharePoint database for individual projects Development & updating of Project Action List Financial management of projects including budgeting and forecasting Observe and maintain project schedule and milestone plans using MS project / SAP Compile and submit grant claims against third party funded projects Provide cover for the External Funding Manager where required Show less

• 

  Canal & River Trust

  Jul 2012 - Mar 2023

  • Responsibility for annual regional budget of more than £3m for maintenance, repair & renewal for the management of c250km of waterway in the NW plus the Liverpool South Docks• Deliver an excellent visitor and customer experience on a waterway to grow visitor numbers and awareness / recognition of the Trust• Develop and deliver strong positive relationships with community and customer groups within the region, ensuring customer feedback/information & local needs are understood and inform the Trust’s plans and strategies.• Ensure safe & efficient management control & operation of all Trust assets within the waterway in partnership with other functions across the Trust.• Grow the support for the waterway and the Trust through the waterway partnership, community involvement, relationship management, enhanced customer service, and volunteering. Lead the development and delivery of a community engagement programme in the waterway.• Support and contribute to the delivery of the Waterway Partnership’s strategic plan as key member of the Waterway Partnership. • Lead, coach, motivate and develop a highly committed waterway team of c35 staff, supporting personal growth and achievement of individual & Trust objectives. Show less • Secure Statutory Funding through funding bids to statutory funders such as Heritage Lottery Fund, Transport Agencies, Local Authorities, LEP’s, Big Lottery Fund, the Arts Council, Landfill tax bodies and EU sources for projects that match Trust strategic priorities.• Develop business to business funding propositions with key statutory funders, agencies, national and sub-regional organisations. Prepare and promote specific funding propositions for key strategic partners which have mutual benefit and which facilitate waterway improvement.• Responsible for ensuring Project Managers, programme monitoring assistants and Finance Analysts record and report as appropriate to ensure that all funded projects are monitored effectively and that outputs, outcomes and impacts are reported. Ensure that the Public Benefit of the work we do is reported annually.• Responsibility for annual financial target of minimum of £500k but often reached £5m. Show less

  • Head of Partnerships & Outcomes Development

    Dec 2018 - Mar 2023

  • Waterway Manager (North West)

    Dec 2017 - Dec 2018

  • EU Funding Programme Manager

    Feb 2014 - Dec 2017

  • Regeneration Manager

    Jul 2012 - Feb 2014
• 

  Woolston Rovers Falcons U8s

  Jan 2022 - now

  Volunteer Football Coach
• 

  Peel L&P

  Mar 2023 - Apr 2024

  Partnership Manager

  I engage with the public sector on behalf of Peel Land & Property leading on the development and delivery of a diverse portfolio of public-private funded projects across England and Scotland. My role encompasses strategic stakeholder engagement with key public sector organisations, leading on funding applications and subsequent contract management plus project management responsibilities.

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  St Helens Council

  Apr 2024 - now

  Programme Manager