UKITA - 2008 and beyond
UKita’s focus for the second half of 2008 is to maximise business growth for our members along with increasing our own operational efficiency. In April, we became entirely self-funded; enabling us to manage our expansion around the UK and across Europe. Our new structure is outlined below.
A dynamic change to the way we operate will be the introduction of a project management system. This will mean that each partnership, major event or commissioned venture will be assigned a Project Manager who will take full responsibility until completion. By implementing risk assessment, action plans and measurable goals they will be able to manage performance and ensure UKita’s resources are used effectively.
Now in our sixth year of operation, UKita’s main objective has been to generate commercial opportunities for our members. We have also endeavoured to grow member benefits as well as source new ones. To achieve these goals we’re extending existing partnerships and developing new ones. We’re also facilitating the development of co-operative ventures to increase re-seller opportunities.
In addition, we’ve improved our channels of communication and are now able to notify members of a greater number of business opportunities, tenders and application contracts; successfully increasing the volume of work acquired as a direct result of UKita sources.
The new structure consists of:
The Executive Committee
• Fred Noble (Chairman and Finance Director) of ADECS Ltd
• Charles Huthwaite (Vice-Chairman) of Innoware Ltd
• Helen Brewster of ATL Solutions
• Tom Brookes of UKita (Business Manager)
The Executive Committee will meet monthly and make recommendations to the Board.
The Governance (Board of Directors)
• The Executive Committee
• Andrew Corbett of Perfect Arc
• Flick Wheeler of Steeple Software
• Steve Silk of West Midlands Mobile & Wireless
• Qasim Majid of Integrous Limited
• Nigel Babb of Wolverhampton University
• Stuart McIntosh of Brindley, Twist, Tafft & James Solicitors
Board Meetings will be known as the Governance. They will take place quarterly and will involve detailed review of major decisions and projects, with recommendations from the Executive four.
Project Ownership
Projects, where possible, will be owned by these Directors in order to provide leadership and guidance through their expertise.
Key projects include:
• PR & Marketing - Qasim Majid
• The Website, Mobile & Wireless – Steve Silk
• Funding, Universities & Innovation – Nigel Babb
• Quality Mark, Business Link & the NCC – Flick Wheeler
• Events, the Future – Charles Huthwaite
• Membership - Helen Brewster
• PIN SME, Cluster, Partnerships – Fred Noble
All main activities will be classed as ‘Projects’ and, if viable, will be owned by the directors. Where budgets allow, members will be involved in the delivery or management of these and future projects. This will allow us to maximise performance and gain better outcomes in a controlled manner.
Current Partners/Associates
West Midlands Business Council (WMBC)
Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS)
IT Futures (Wolverhampton University)
Business Link West Midlands
The NCC (National Computer Centre) and Accredit UK
AWM – Advantage West Midlands
The West Midlands ICT Cluster
The IET – Institute for Engineering and Technology
Skillfair
QinetiQ
BCS - The British Computing Society
All major Universities and Colleges in the West Midlands
A collection of large Councils in the Midlands
West Midlands Mobile & Wireless Project
WMCCM
Circle Insurance through Hiscox
Aston Science Park
I-Centrum
The National B2B Centre
FPB – the Forum for Private Businesses
West Bromwich Building Society
The Learning & Skills Council (lsc)