Iqbal Patel

Experience

• 

  North Lanc's Training Group

  Mar 1997 - Oct 2003

  Recruitment Officer

  I worked in schools and colleges across the North of England promoting work-based learning and Modern Apprenticeships to young people and their parents, guardians and influencers.Developed a consortium approach with other training providers to pool resource and expertise in order to gain greater impact and effectiveness and efficiency savings.As part of this role I also marketed, promoted and then placed young people onto Modern Apprenticeships in businesses and employment providers.Developed and delivered occupational roadshows and recruitment fairs with consortium members to promote work-based and apprenticeships to young people and their influencers. Show less

• 

  Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council

  Jun 2004 - Dec 2005

  Team Leader - Community Leadership Project

  Working with the Senior Management Team I successfully delivered a Home Office Project on Community Leadership that required developing a capacity building programme for a core group of 23 diverse community volunteers. In this project I worked with various stakeholders and local authority service providers to empower and up-skill local leaders on managing voluntary and community groups effectively through a capacity building programme that included governance, finance, marketing, HR and bid writing.I managed a budget of circa £350k ensuring local authority procurement processes, cost efficiencies and Value for Money.When the project finished I helped to develop a sustainable legacy in the form of a Community Links (a company limited by guarantee) through which we had delivered further projects for NHS and the Primary Care Trust. Show less

• 

  NWDA-Northwest Regional Development Agency

  Jan 2006 - May 2011

  Project Manager

  Managed a project on the strategic development of diverse businesses in the North West working with CEOs, MDs, senior Directors of statutory service providers and large business owners.Effectively managed a budget circa £500k ensuring procurement guidelines, cost efficiencies and Value for Money.Delivered transformational change in EMBF Board through managing the full recruitment process of key business leaders onto the strategic advisory board complying with UK Equal Opportunities Act and HR laws.Co-ordinated the activities of a diverse business led board to provide strategic influence on BME enterprise agenda to service providers to increase uptake.Provided policy input and consultations into regional and national policy development frameworks.Responsible for the development of a national network on BME enterprise.Instrumental in the development of a BME ambassadors programme in the North West to raise confidence and raise aspirations to inspire communities and individuals to develop a "Can Do" attitude and become more economically active.Developed and organised an innovative annual BME business awards event to showcase and celebrate success of diverse businesses. Show less

• 

  Traders Worldwide Limited

  Nov 2012 - Apr 2015

  International Business Development Director

  Previously worked as an International Business Development Director responsible for the full product cycle of FMCG products from the initial design, the procuring of manufacturers in China, brokering of deals and contracts with partners, organising freight and logistics and then delivering to B2B and B2C markets across the UK and Ireland. • Developed a robust strategic business plan identifying efficiencies in the supply chain, operations, inclusion of new deliverables and ambitious but achievable KPI’s and developing systems for monitoring and reviewing performance. • Negotiated product lines and pricing structures with senior buyers, CEOs and MDs of large manufacturers as well as retail and wholesale outlets in the UK as well as in China for maximum profit.• Managed cross matrix teams organising successful delivery of orders within agreed price structures and timescales.• Responsible for HR activities including increasing performance management of 8 members of staff in varying roles.• Successfully generated over £1.9 million in business turnover in the first 12 months.• Identified key culture change and transformational change management activities resulting in 19% of efficiency savings in energy and utility costs and 45% of recruitment costs in the first year. Show less

• 

  JAMES HALL AND COMPANY (FF) LIMITED

  Jan 2018 - Jan 2025

  Administration Manager

  Responsible for managing all aspects of a busy office with duties including management accounts, HR, Sales & Marketing, Payroll and Customer Services.

• 

  Fazila Foods (James Hall Group Ltd)

  Jan 2023 - Jan 2025

  Operations Support Manager
• 

  Kaima Care Ltd

  Dec 2024 - now

  Director of Business Operations

  Dealing with all aspects of running a specialist care home