Support Unit staff

Margaret James is the Director of the GB Equal Support Unit (ESU) and a Director of ECOTEC Research & Consulting Ltd. She has extensive experience in policy research and evaluation, and in programme management. This has included support to training and human resource development projects and the integration of project outcomes into mainstream policy and practice. In recent years, Margaret has focused on the ‘widening access to learning’ agenda, and through Equal, she has been closely involved in promoting diversity, combating discrimination and promoting Corporate Social Responsibility.

Unus Goga is Deputy Director of the GB ESU. He has significant experience in areas such as housing policy, regeneration, education and training, and employment and skills. Unus previously managed a range of European and UK programmes including URBAN, SRB, New Deal and ESF in local government, Training and Enterprise Councils and Learning and Skills Councils

Barbara Orthodoxou is an Equal Senior Support Manager in the ESU. Barbara has been working for the ESU since October 2001. She has considerable experience in working with a variety of organisations such as voluntary sector organisations, European organisations, local authorities and private organisations. Barbara works on Theme E, ‘promoting lifelong learning’. Previously Barbara has worked on other themes Equal themes and is available to offer advice and support on the Equal programme.

Oliver Hindle is a Senior Support Manager responsible for the operational aspects of the Equal work programme, focusing particularly on the information and support services provided to DPs. Oliver has worked on the Equal programme since it started in 2001 and was until March 2007 a Support Manager responsible for themes C & D. Prior to working on Equal, Oliver worked in ECOTEC as an Assistant Co-ordinator on the ADAPT programme and also at Enterprise Link in Birmingham, managing contracts with training providers.

Amreen Ahmed joined the ESU in March 2004. Amreen has a Law degree and a postgraduate Legal Practice course qualification. She previously worked as a Development Officer for the Birmingham Association of Neighbourhood Forums, looking at issues relating to regeneration and the impact of devolution. Amreen is current working on supporting DPs in themes E and F.

Abbie Jarenicz joined the Equal Support Unit in March 2007. Abbie has a Russian degree from University of Birmingham. She previously worked as a Community Development Officer for Lichfield District Council working on a variety of regeneration projects and she has also worked for Advantage West Midlands. Abbie is currently working on supporting DPs in theme A - helping people access the labour market.

Nina Jassal is an Equal Support Manager, responsible for themes B and H.

Arpad Morotz has joined Ecotec as an Assistant Support Manager in May 2007, working on Themes B, H and I. Arpad has a Masters degree in Economics.

Abdul Qadir is an Equal Support Manager, responsible for theme A.

Kam Rai Lead in Theme C & D. Experienced of managing European Social Funding Programmes including Equal Development Partnerships. Experienced in Project Managing Transnational Projects especially in the Netherlands, Italy, Hungary, Northern Ireland & UK. Received the Queens Community Award 2003 for developing a successful community/voluntary organization called Working Actively to Change Hillfields Limited, (WATCH) Coventry, West Midlands. Volunteer Youth Worker for local youth club - The Source. Volunteer Fund Raiser for local Church Quinton Park Baptist Church Coventry.

Stuart Russon graduated from the University of Central England with a BA (Hons) in Politics and began working for the ESU in April 2003. Initially Stuart was involved with Theme E projects, currently his main focus is on Theme F and Theme A. “I very much enjoy working on the Equal Initiative” commented Stuart. “It has given me the opportunity to find out about the innovative programmes happening across the UK and I look forward to continuing to support Equal Development Partnerships as they strive to improve opportunities in the world of work for disadvantaged people”. Away from Equal, Stuart enjoys music, reading and sport.

Elizabeth Christie joined ECOTEC in 1998 providing administrative support for Employment and Adapt, before moving on to the Equal Programme. She is the Equal Finance Manager. Before joining ECOTEC she worked for NatWest Bank for 22 years.

Dennis Butler is an Assistant Finance Manager and has been with ECOTEC since 1996, working on Employment, Adapt and Equal Programmes. Prior to joining ECOTEC, he worked for Midland Bank for 25 years.

Graham Clifford is an Assistant Finance Manager, Manager and has been with ECOTEC since 1996, working on Employment, Adapt, Pan London 03 and Equal Programmes. Prior to joining ECOTEC, he had worked for Midland Bank for 27 years.

Linzi Green has recently joined the equal team as an Assistant Finance Manager working on themes A and C. She recently graduated from Aston University with a BSc (Hons) degree in Business Administration and Psychology.

Val Howkins is an Assistant Finance Manager and joined ECOTEC 1996 and worked on Adapt and Employment before moving onto the Equal programme. Before joining ECOTEC she worked for the Midland Bank for 24 years.

Cathy Pender is an Assistant Finance Manager and joined ECOTEC in February 1993 as an Administrative Assistant dedicated to the production of technical publications for the European Commission. In October 1995 she starting working on the Employment, Adapt and Equal programmes. Prior to joining ECOTEC, she worked for a stockbrokers and within the travel industry.

Emma Pender is an Assistant Finance Manager joining the EQUAL Support Unit in 2006. She graduated with a BA (Hons) in Accountancy and Finance. Before joining Ecotec she worked with the Forensic Science Service.

Sarah Raisbeck joined Ecotec as an Assistant Finance Manager in March 2007. She previously worked for the Forensic Science Service in Finance and has a degree BA (HONS) in Visual Communication from UCE.

Baljit Sander joined Ecotec as an Assistant Finance Manager in June 2007. Baljit is responsible for Themes B and I.

Caroline Richards joined ECOTEC in January 2007 and is the Office/Events Manager and Equal Administrator for the GB ESU and is responsible for organising external events. In addition, she handles administration for the ESU including the helpline and Equal e-mail requests, along with updating the database for the quarterly newsletter. Before working for ECOTEC Caroline worked as a Secretary in both the Construction and Material Handling industries.

Jennifer Stirling is currently studying for a Degree in English Literature and Language down in Bristol. She started working for the company with a short term 2 week contract, but will be remaining with the Equal Program at Ecotec until September. She provides administrative assistance to the team and enjoys her summer job as it concentrates on allocating funds to worthy community organizations.