Dr Jayne Crosse
Director of Strategy & Practice
Jayne has worked in regeneration for 20 years and has held a variety of senior management posts in strategy, marketing and research. She joins the ASC from being Head of Strategy and Corporate Services at the Objective 1 Programme for South Yorkshire where she led the development of the new European investment programme for Yorkshire and the Humber and helped to lay the foundations for the sustainable economic regeneration across South Yorkshire.
Jayne moved to this role from the North West RDA where she was Head of Business Development, and where she took the strategic lead on the region's cluster development agenda. Prior to that she was Director of Marketing at the Inward Investment Agency for the North West.
Jayne has substantial experience of working across the public private and volcom sectors, in building partnerships and driving initiatives forward.
In 2000 she completed a part-time PhD in Management Economics, International Business and Strategic Place Marketing from Leeds University Business School. Jayne also holds an MA (Econ) from Manchester University which looked at place-making and the North-South divide.
j.crosse@ascskills.org.uk
0113 394 4312
Dr Jemma Basham
Research & Best Practice Manager
Jemma has a BA honours degree in History and Sociology, an MA in Economic and Social Research and a PhD in Regeneration and Planning.
Jemma joined the ASC following three years of work in a senior role at Yorkshire Forward. In this role Jemma helped to set up the renaissance towns and cities programme, leading in embedding renaissance policy and strategy in the region and helping to form a strong team and rigorous business plan for the future. She is now taking responsibility for the research and best practice strategy for the ASC.
Jemma loves to fell running and walking. She is a dedicated member of her local running club Ilkley Harriers, training and competing in as many events as she can!
j.basham@ascskills.org.uk
0113 394 4582
Shaun Harley
Marketing & Media Manager
Shaun graduated in American History and Literature, which included a year studying at Louisiana State University. After training as a journalist, Shaun worked for IPC Magazines in London, regularly writing for football and television magazines. He joined BP to help found an award-winning global business monthly. He later became media manager for BP's UK retail business, managing major news stories and advising senior management. He left BP to travel around SE Asia and then worked in Sydney as a PR advisor before settling in Leeds.
s.harley@ascskills.org.uk
0113 394 4633
Jackie Rigby
Partnership & Policy Officer
Jackie graduated in Applied Social Studies and Health Studies, before joining the Objective 1 Programme Directorate in South Yorkshire. Jackie spent five years working in various aspects of the Objective 1 Programme, with her most recent work concentrating on strategy development, as well as working closely with the RDA on sub-regional investment planning.
Jackie's knowledge of regeneration issues is being further developed through an MSc in Urban Regeneration at Sheffield Hallam University.
j.rigby@ascskills.org.uk
0113 394 4632
Nancy Atkinson
Partnership & Policy Officer
I have spent the past five years working for Mencap's Education & Employment Business unit, responsible for the North region employment contracts as Lead Service Manager. This role focused on the management, development and setting up of employment services for adults with learning disabilities.
I got a BA (Hons) in Social Policy at Bradford University and PG Dip in History from Huddersfield University. I also have a certificate in leadership & management from Institute of Leadership & Management.
n.atkinson@ascskills.org.uk
0113 394 4632
Judith Stead
Research & Best Practice Officer
Judith works closely with the Research and Best Practice Manager to proactively support the development and implementation of the ASCs research programme. She is responsible for managing a number of research projects from inception to dissemination as well as managing the Research Steering Group and providing research expertise to the wider ASC team.
Before joining the ASC, Judith worked in housing research at Yorkshire Forward to support the alignment of Yorkshire and the Humber's Regional Housing Strategy with the Regional Economic Strategy. She has also worked in a research agency designing, managing and undertaking a variety of research projects for clients such as local authorities, the National Trust and local strategic partnerships (LSPs). She has a professional qualification from the Market Research Society in market and social research and is currently undertaking an MA in Social and Public Policy part-time at Leeds University.
Outside work, Judith has a variety of interests including socialising with friends and family, reading (particularly modern fiction) and travelling. She has recently begun to learn some DIY skills at home and is now the proud owner of some very wonky shelves!
j.stead@ascskills.org.uk
0113 394 4581
Paula Hurst
International & Best Practice Officer
Paula joined the ASC from Heywood New Deal for Communities (NDC) where she led the Jobs, Training and Learning programme. This focused on working in partnership to improve education for young people, raise the skills of local people and create valuable job opportunities in the local area.
Paula has a BA honours degree in Environmental Management and spent a number of years working for Groundwork Trust developing neighbourhood plans for deprived estates. She has a strong community development background and experience in both the public and voluntary sectors.
p.hurst@ascskills.org.uk
0113 394 4645
Ilona Wheldale
Team Assistant
Ilona studied British Politics and Legislative Studies at the University of Hull and joined ASC on graduating.
i.wheldale@ascskills.org.uk
0113 394 4594
Jo Bell
Marketing & Media Officer
Jo has a degree in Consumer Services Management and has worked in the communications arena for almost 10 years. After graduating, Jo joined the La Redoute press office where she worked on UK and European launches. Her later consultancy roles involved devising, implementing and evaluating communications strategies in the public, private and voluntary sectors. Recent projects included promoting the opening of a training and enterprise centre for Sanctuary Housing, organising a European Commission technology tour to raise awareness of EU-funded projects and launching a nationwide campaign for Studio 3 Theatre Arts.
j.bell@ascskills.org.uk
0113 394 4590
Pete Murray
Website Officer
Pete has 10 years' experience of delivering websites and communications technology. He has worked on diverse projects such as guidance sites for young people and international e-commerce sites. His previous role was IT Manager for EQ, the national agency for equality and diversity in the creative sector, where he developed websites, learning tools and marketing material. Previously he helped launch the UK's first online photo library and developed an online equality auditing tool.
p.murray@ascskills.org.uk
0113 394 4539
Rohan Akers
Events Officer
Rohan has a degree in Event Management and five years' experience of managing events for public and private sector organisations including IMS Health, Learning and Skills Council, West Lakes Renaissance, British Nuclear Group, Sony Tri-Star Columbia Films and Liberal Democrats. At ASC, Rohan is responsible for the delivery of events and associated projects including ASC's national launch, the European skills symposium, a regional masterclass programme and the government's national awards scheme for sustainable communities.
r.akers@ascskills.org.uk
0113 394 4597
Sarah Edwards
Team Assistant
Sarah Edwards graduated in Marketing and Business and has since worked in both the private and public sector. She first worked within the British Council as a Human Resources Administrator before moving to a position for the London Tube Network. Since relocating, Sarah worked for the Standards Unit, a government programme that focused on improving teaching and learning for 14 to 19-year-olds through a coaching programme and teaching and learning materials.
s.edwards@ascskills.org.uk
0113 394 4637
Gerry Dallas
Events Assistant
g.dallas@ascskills.org.uk
0113 394 4637
