Meet the Team

George Kieffer

georgekieffer@btinternet.com

The Chairman, George Kieffer, also chairs Estuary Housing Association, a housing provider in the Haven Gateway area. He is a member of the Enterprise and Industrial Advisory Boards of the University of Essex and a Trustee of Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome Trust (Maldon District) as well as a Board Member of Visit Essex. Until 2015 he served for 9 years on the Board of the Harwich Haven Authority as Deputy Chairman.

He set up the South East Local Enterprise Partnership in 2010 and serves as Vice Chair for businesses in Essex, Southend & Thurrock.

After a career in the City he went into commerce and is now an independent company director.

George is a Freeman of the City of London and holds an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Essex.

Anita Thornberry

anita.thornberry@haven-gateway.org

01206 713610

A history graduate with experience of the City of London, Anita has worked in the field of economic regeneration for 20 years.  She started her career at English Heritage, arguing the economic benefits of heritage assets to secure funding.  From there, Anita joined Regional Development Agencies working on projects such as the Olympics bid and writing the Tourism Legacy Plans for the bid.  In 2007 Anita joined Southend Borough Council as the Head of Enterprise, Tourism and Regeneration where she delivered a £25m regeneration programme for the town centre, increased tourism revenue to £350m per annum whilst reducing visitor numbers and helped create a thriving business community.  Before joining HGP, Anita was MedTech Campus Director for Anglia Ruskin University.

Anita lives in the Haven Gateway with her family where she indulges her interests in culture and the countryside.

Lisa Brazier

lisa.brazier@haven-gateway.org 

01206 713612

Lisa joined the Haven Gateway Partnership in July 2008 to manage the office and provide executive support to the team.  Lisa is now the Programme Director for the Partnership, leading on delivery of our projects and activity.

Previously Lisa has worked in both the private and public sector in several roles including PA, administrator and practice co-ordinator.

Her many roles at the Haven Gateway have included event organisation, supporting the cruise initiative including co-ordinating and attending exhibitions, website administration and supporting our advocacy and business intelligence work.

Lisa was the Project Manager for the Low Carbon Freight Dividend Project.  Lisa is currently working on business cases to develop new projects.

Jemma Little

jemma.little@haven-gateway.org

07912 310066

Jemma joined the Haven Gateway Partnership in May 2017 as Funding Manager, and is now leading on the development of new partnerships and projects to attract funding for economic development to the area.

Jemma joined us from Higher Education, having most recently worked for Anglia Ruskin University, as Assistant Director responsible for research commercialisation and partnerships with business.  She secured over £20m EU funding for strategic projects providing innovation support to SMEs, in collaboration with other universities and delivery partners. She also has significant experience in local government having managed the development of Cambridgeshire Horizons, a strategic local delivery vehicle partnership to support sustainable housing and jobs growth and secured over £40m government funding to support the delivery of infrastructure to accelerate the delivery of major new housing and employment sites. 

Janice Pittis

janice.pittis@haven-gateway.org

01206 713612

Janice joined the Haven Gateway Partnership in September 2016 to support the development of funding bids and the delivery of commissioned projects; her responsibility includes the ERDF (European Regional Development Fund).

Janice brings extensive experience of the Higher Education and private sectors. 

She was the Director of the Research & Enterprise Office at the University of Essex with responsibility for research funding, research commercialisation and partnerships with business. 

Janice also has over 10 years experience of research and development in the private sector in the field of Crop Production and Protection where she worked on a number of international projects. 

Sian Dowell

sian.dowell@haven-gateway.org

07739 971659

Sian joined the TALE team in July 2018 after working in local authority organisations.  She graduated in 2015 from Kingston University with a Commendation for Social Entrepreneurism.

Sian's work revolves around design thinking and business analysis, using problem solving in industries where perhaps creative solutions have not be considered before; this is what drew her to working for social enterprises.  At Surrey Choices, she formed part of the Business Development, Marketing and Communications Team. Sian delivered a redesign of the day activity centres, ran campaigns to raise awareness and drive sales, and worked with senior management to enact organisational changes.

Most recently, Sian was a Junior Business Analyst at Essex County Council, gaining accreditation as a Green Belt in Lean Six Sigma, a key business analytics system. Working in the Adult Social Care sector, she focused on continuous service improvement benefitting of both staff members and Essex residents.

Sian is an avid reader and a film buff. When she is not inside, she enjoys dog walks across the fields and beaches of Essex.

Patrick Maynard

patrick.maynard@haven-gateway.org

07739 971658

Patrick joined the TALE team in July 2018.  Most recently, Patrick spent over 3 years at the Essex Chambers of Commerce as the Client Relationship Manager working with all sectors of business across the County, with extensive experience of organising exhibitions and networking events.  Previously, he has worked at a range of roles in professional services across Essex and Suffolk, including the print industry, event management and recruitment.

Patrick has a memorable personality, always willing to ask clients "How can I help you?".  With a strong focus on building client relationships, The TALE  project is an ideal fit for Patrick in his quest to support companies growth plans.

Fred Thomas

fred.thomas@haven-gateway.org

01206 713610

Fred has joined the TALE team in August 2018.  Previously Fred spent 3 years as a Growth Hub Navigator, advising business across Kent and East Sussex.  This included providing access to support networks, sharing specialist knowledge, together with financial and grant application expertise.  

Fred established and ran a multimillion pound turnover company for 15 years.  His key strength in Sales and Marketing encompassed both physical retail outlets and a pan UK sales force, as well as e-commerce platforms.  His digital skills include the use of SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) and analytics, with a keen interest in Big Data, Cyber Security and The Internet of Things.

Jenny Ryan

jenny.ryan@haven-gateway.org

01206 713611

Jenny can advise on preparing a successful grant application and help with any queries on documentation.  She keeps TALE systems running smoothly, working alongside the Facilitators and Programme Director.

Jenny has a background in Financial Services, having worked in the City for a retail bank  for over 25 years.  This included site visits to Europe and India, reviewing and improving the compliance and business process.

She loves travelling and can often be found with a travel brochure in her hand.

Yvonne Norman

yvonne.norman@haven-gateway.org

01206 713616

Yvonne joined the Haven gateway Partnership in August 2018 to update all aspects of finances for the TALE project.

Yvonne is a qualified Accounting Technician, having secured ATT in her previous role at Essex County Council.  Her role on TALE includes updating the scheme's budget, preparing quarterly claims including all defrayal evidence and invoices from SMEs, and ensuring compliance to enable recovery of grant funding.  She prepares progress reports for the Managing Authority.

Yvonne has nine grandchildren; one of her sons is in the Royal Anglian Regiment, another lives with his family in America.  Her community interests including being a church treasurer and a volunteer for the Home Library Service.  She enjoys crafts, reading and cruising.

Claire Putnam

claire.putnam@haven-gateway.org

01206 713618

Claire has joined the team to assist the Executive Director, Project Director and wider Haven Gateway Partnership. 

With a background in the recruitment sector, Claire has extensive experience in event management, as well as supporting Directors and Executives in the smooth running of their offices.  Claire guided potential franchisees on their journey to becoming fully-fledged partners and was part of an award winning team, smashing new business revenue targets, resulting in a team trip to Dubai.

Claire is a budding author and is three chapters into her first novel.  She’s also a bit of a film nerd and loves everything Disney!

Rita Smith

rita.smith@haven-gateway.org

01206 713618

Rita joined the Haven Gateway Partnership in August 2012, to specifically support the LCFD (Low Carbon Freight Dividend) project.

Rita's background is with local government including Essex County Council and worked on the transition of services between public and private sectors including Fostering and Adult Social residential care homes.   Prior work experience includes roles in the legal sector at the Inns of Court. She has a strong working knowledge of complex administrative services.

She now supports the Haven Gateway team including the Executive Director.  Rita is responsible for the smooth running of the Colchester office headquarters.  Rita is also available to help and assist our partners and stakeholders, and is providing project support services to the TALE programme.

Ian Grutchfield

ian.grutchfield@haven-gateway.org

07739 971657

Ian joined the TALE team in July 2018, specifically to manage marketing campaigns.  This includes issuing press releases and creating promotional materials, staging events and exhibitions, and producing digital content such as online and social media activities.

Ian's background is in brand management, including work in the UK and abroad for the BBC, leading commercial activity on Doctor Who and Teletubbies. He also has experience of book and magazine publishing, together with the licensed merchandise industry. 

He has forged alliances of both public bodies and private companies, coming together for high profile communications.  He is a keen proponent of using video and impactful imagery to reach customers.

Ian enjoys exploring the Haven Gateway area by walking with a rescue lurcher.