Lauren Read Email & Phone Number

Think provide insights and expertise guidance to the HE and FE sectors, alongside Local and Combined Authorities, in support of optimal skills systems and economic growth.My role as Assistant Consultant plays a key part in responding to client briefs with Project Management, client liaison, and data analysis.Alongside this role, I am responsible for Think's bid management processes, building our Bid Library and responding to tendering requirements. This supports our BD and Marketing functions, whom I work closely with to manage our value proposition with and support sales. I manage our team's operational activities, and development of process efficiencies around project management, system use, and the inclusion of automation.

Bolton, England, United Kingdom

Managing key client accounts on the implementation of apprenticeship levy programmes within their organisations.Think… is an established practice-based organisation which provides services to the education sector (further & higher) and public/private organisations in the field of workforce development; specialising in skills, employment and enterprise, offering policy, strategy, research, workforce development and management support, and leading on thinking on the implementation of the Apprenticeship Levy.We provide support in translating complex Government policy into business cases which make sense at an operational level, with work focussed on developing and implementing approaches to improve economic productivity through apprenticeship and other workforce development, with the belief that that having a job matters for everyone and that with a changing economy it’s important for everyone to have access to a programme of skills development to meet the changing needs of organisations. We are proud our work reflects our commitment to our values; we care about the future of the country’s workforce and the skills required to continue to lead and develop a sustainable economy.Think... works with local and regional government, private and public employers, colleges, and universities to develop and implement innovative skills and education programmes which inspire young people to develop careers as well as motivating existing workers to develop skills matching the needs of the economy.

Reading, England, United Kingdom

I work as part of an advisory and account management team with large, levy-paying businesses, on behalf of Henley Business School, to optimise the use of their levy as part of their workforce development programme and implement apprenticeship programmes within their organisations.Henley Business School are an approved provider of Apprenticeship Levy services to the Skills Funding Agency. The Levy is a key feature of our Corporate Development offer. Henley Business School offer a range of senior leader apprenticeships for developing managers, future business leaders and existing leaders, and are currently developing apprenticeships and degree apprenticeships for graduates and school leavers for 2022.Although we practically implement apprenticeship programmes within businesses on an operational level, we also invite conversations with businesses on the effective use of their levy, and share our expertise to optimise the impact of apprenticeship programmes in within organisations.

Birmingham, United Kingdom

Provision of EA support to the Group CEO and management of the company’s back office operations. Key Achievements and Projects- Managed project to review and develop company contracts and policies, improving governance - Designed and implemented staff induction process, increasing policy adherence and team ‘readiness’ - Streamlined finance and performance management processes, subsequently retrieved £500,000 of outstanding client payments - Improved HR processes (sickness, performance management, holiday), increasing staff engagement - Managed project to refresh website, and develop and implement strategic marketing plan - Developed IT processes, support and controls, increasing cyber security and team performance - Negotiated larger office space at reduced cost Role: - EA duties: professional and personal diary management, inbox and task management, created communications, delegated approvals, travel, processed expenses project assistance meeting and committee organisation: teleconferencing facilities, logistics, catering, compiling/ circulating documents, minute taking and action lists - Developed and enforced compliance of the Group’s internal policies (finance, HR, data security, IT) - Developed and managed performance management systems- HR duties: recruitment, new staff induction, issuing contracts, sickness, annual leave, performance management and pension scheme administration - Relationship management with accountants on all aspects of finance inc. payroll, budgets and billing - Responsible for upkeep of legal company requirements (insurance, HMRC etc.)- Oversaw IT systems and software, purchasing equipment, team training- Worked with Board to develop and deliver the company’s strategic marketing plan - Developed and maintained company website and social media presence - Scheduled meetings, preparing agendas and papers, carried out research, minute taking - Managed all general company administration and office management

Reading, United Kingdom

Provision of full PA support to one board level executive and two commercial directors (Associate Dean International, Director of Alumni and Development, Director of Marketing and Sales), and ad-hoc support to their associated teams and the Dean’s Office. Key Achievements:- Led project plan to improve processes for recruitment, induction and training of all new staff - Adopted and improved New Starter Induction Sessions, increasing staff inclusion to 100% - Delivered training on new HR system to key administrators and recruiting managers (25+ staff) - Developed financial guide for company’s integrated marketing agency, increasing compliance - Volunteered as a Member Nominated Trustee for the University’s Pensions Scheme - Promoted into role from PA to Head of Dept./ Dept. Support Administrator position - Received ‘Awards for Excellence’ for: sustained excellence in role and undertaking additional responsibilities Role:- PA duties: diary management, responding/filtering correspondence, booked travel (visa, flights, hotel, itineraries for 30+ trips annually), processed expenses, created comms, dictation, prepared documents/slides, delegated approvals - Organisation of meetings and committees (logistics, catering, preparation of papers, minute taking) - Organised annual conference: budgeting, logistics, catering, agenda and comms- Provision of new starter induction reports to Dean and related company wide comms - Created and delivered new director’s business orientation - HR support: recruitment, training, general queries (60 staff)- Finance: budget tracking, PO’s/ invoices, queries (60 staff) - Liaised with: HR, Legal, Finance, Information Security, Procurement, on behalf of executives - Purchased IT equipment and phones, troubleshooting/ liaison with IT team to resolve issues - Maintaining e-filing systems in line with GDPR regulations and executive’s individual requirements

Reading, United Kingdom

⦁ Diary management ⦁ Booking numerous and detailed global travel itineraries (including visas) ⦁ Events management and hosting international delegations⦁ Processing expenses; creation and management of expense procedures within department ⦁ Managing PhD, scholarship and Academic Visitors application processes in line with UKBA requirements⦁ General administration (minute taking; preparing letters, documents and slides; catering; parking; office supplies; purchase cards; expenses) ⦁ Point of contact for entire department (60+ staff and PhD students) and external inquiries ⦁ Managing departmental website (developing content, processes and liaison with Digital Team) ⦁ Managing the archiving process for academic publications

Reading, United Kingdom

Specialising in Secretarial, Business Support and HR

Education record

The Craft Of Writing, Creative Writing, Ug (10 Cats Points)