Sara Akhtar

Sara Akhtar Email and Phone Number

Head of Business Development @ Prevista Ltd
london, greater london, united kingdom
Sara Akhtar's Location
Bradninch, England, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Sara Akhtar's Contact Details

Sara Akhtar personal email

About Sara Akhtar

An experienced bid manager who creates compelling, persuasive and bespoke content and manages the complete tender process from start to finish engaging with stakeholders and subject matter experts effectively to draw out their expertise. Throughout my experience in bid management, I have been fortunate enough to be involved in a variety of industries and tenders mainly within the public sector, in particular within government-funded training, employability, recruitment and health and social care across the UK. Examples of tenders include Department of Work & Pensions, European Social Fund, Greater London Authority, Glasgow City Council, National Citizens Service, South Thames College Group, BUPA and National Careers Service.KEY SKILLS• Leadership and Management: Lead bid proposals, manage stakeholders, and coach junior staff• Communication: At ease communicating and collaborating at all levels• Independence: Works well independently and remotely, self-starter that shows initiative and motivation• Strategic Thinker: Drives growth through alignment of activities with strategic goalsgrowth.

Sara Akhtar's Current Company Details
Prevista Ltd

Prevista Ltd

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Head of Business Development
london, greater london, united kingdom
Website:
prevista.co.uk
Employees:
75
Sara Akhtar Work Experience Details
  • Prevista Ltd
    Head Of Business Development
    Prevista Ltd May 2024 - Present
  • Freelance
    Freelance Bid Consultant
    Freelance Jan 2021 - May 2024
    Amersham, England, United Kingdom
    A freelance bid writer with 11 years' experience writing successful tenders in the government-funded, not for profit, education, recruitment and health & social care sectors. I have expertise tendering with large funders such as DWP, European Social Fund and GLA as well as organisations such as National Citizens Service, South Thames College Group, BUPA and National Careers Service. A selection of recent tenders have included DWP ESF Access to Employment, ESF Skills Support for the Unemployed, GLA Sector Skills, GLA Targeted NEET, Adult Education Budget, Apprenticeship Levy and non-Levy.
  • Concept Resourcing
    Bid Manager
    Concept Resourcing Sep 2022 - Oct 2023
    A brand new role for the company who had never had a bid function before. As well as managing and writing the public sector tenders, I established best practice bid processes, built up a library of high quality bid content and scanned for bidding opportunities in line with company strategies.
  • Prevista Ltd
    Business Development And Marketing Manager
    Prevista Ltd Aug 2017 - Aug 2020
    London, United Kingdom
    Working for a small and dynamic organisation specialising in government funded training and programmes to help the most disenfranchised groups based in London to get the training and support they need to gain sustainable employment. I worked my way up to lead the BD department, making the role my own and embracing the variety that comes from working in a small company. I created a Marketing department from scratch, trained up a marketing apprentice, searched for business development opportunities and managed high level bids, collaborated with grassroots organisations and liaised with external agencies and consultants. ​Key achievements:​- Created a BD & Marketing Strategy that was approved by the Board and implemented, revamping the entire department​- Wrote several successful large scale tenders for funders- Implemented both Mental Health Strategy and the Sustainability policy across the business​- Designed a suite of marketing videos to generate new business​- Took part in regular Managers Meetings to find solutions to the business’ problems and drive innovation​- Created new marketing material for the sales team​Highlights- Successfully expanded geographical presence of business outside of London​- Trained up marketing apprentice with no skills previously who completed with Distinction​- Reactivated 7 “dormant” social media channels gaining 2,294 followers in under a year with no budget​- Saved £10,000s in recruiter costs by implementing online recruitment​- Ran series of webinars to give us access to 200+ new customers​
  • Grant Thornton Uk Llp
    Specialist Bid Executive
    Grant Thornton Uk Llp Jun 2016 - Aug 2017
    London, United Kingdom
    Contracted until August 2017 to manage bids for the specialist public sector team at Grant Thornton. Bids include NHS, Not-for-Profit and local government from initial bid stage through to team presentations.
  • First Point Group
    Senior Bid And Marketing Executive
    First Point Group Aug 2015 - May 2016
    London, United Kingdom
    This varied and interesting role includes managing all bids, client presentations and content writing for the marketing team as well as collaborating on other aspects with the marketing team.Key achievements:• Created Sales Toolkit including company overview presentation, client presentation, USP document and proposal template• Managed external communications including content for blogs, internet, presentations, social media accounts and more• Writing winning award entries including Queen’s Award for international growth (won) and 4 Recruiter Award categories (shortlisted, winners announced in May)• 100% bid win rate• Devising a 6 month content plan targeting certain areas of the business and attract candidates with certain skill sets• Introducing more efficient bid processes and implemented bid tracking• Heading up the CSR function of the company including carbon offsetting, partnering with Oxfam and organising charity events for offices globally
  • Networkers International Plc
    Global Bids & Communications Manager
    Networkers International Plc Aug 2014 - Sep 2015
    London, United Kingdom
    Managing all bids and communications as part of a small marketing team.> Communications- Managing global company PR including establishing press contacts, writing press releases and opinion pieces on a regular basis to raise awareness of company brand and set us apart as experts in our field- Devised 6 monthly communications schedule- Writing weekly blogs for the website (http://www.networkersplc.com/blog) - Writing copy for the website- Gathering content for quarterly internal newsletter- Managing internal communications- Managing company social media pages> Bids- Managing all bids and tenders for all verticals for the company globally including subsidiaries- 98% bid win rate- Project managing the entire process from start to completion- Liaising with stakeholders across the business for content
  • Volt
    Bid Writer
    Volt Oct 2013 - Aug 2014
    An integral part of the Group Sales & Marketing team in Volt, involved in all aspects of the organisation’s bids and communications for both its staffing and managed service divisions.Key responsibilities:• External content writing including social media and web copy• Manage the bid process from opportunity analysis to proposal submission• Engaging stakeholder contributors• Creating compelling content for both tender and pro-active proposals• Updating and maintaining the Qvidian pro-search tool • Administering Salesforce for the company
  • Reed Learning
    Resourcing Coordinator
    Reed Learning Apr 2013 - Oct 2013
    Holborn
    Coordinating the pool of freelance training associates to ensure the most suitable trainer delivers the In-company courses that have been booked by the sales team.Providing support for the current associate pool as well as recruiting new and high quality associates in accordance with Reed Learning's criteria.
  • Western Provident Association
    Customer Support Officer
    Western Provident Association May 2011 - Jan 2012
    Taunton
    Working in the Private Client Division as the first point of contact for customers wishing to set up claims, deal with ongoing claims or querying and making ammendents to their policy. The role involved:- Making decisions about whether or not to accept a medical claim whilst considering the profit/loss to the company - Assessing customer's needs and advising them about relevant products or policy renewals - Handling complaints professionally and solving problems wherever possible- Professional letter and email writing to both customers and medical staff such as consultants
  • South West Fire Control
    Firefighter Control Operator
    South West Fire Control Sep 2008 - Feb 2011
    Employed as part of a temporary staff pool to help with the government Regional Control Project. Working in both Avon Fire & Rescue Service and Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service Control rooms taking emergency 999 fire calls, providing fire survival guidance and following Fire Service incidents through to completion.Key Achievements:o Completed 2 years of training and took assessments early leading to promotiono Worked under intense pressure dealing with panicky callers trapped in fireo Developed ability to work as part of a team in order to provide efficient fire response around the countyo Provided support and assistance to Firefighters at incident groundo Liaised with other agencies including Police and Ambulance
  • Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service
    Firefighter Control Operator
    Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service Jan 2010 - Jan 2011
    Working as part of the Temporary Staff Pool in Somerset Control employed by South West Fire Control as detailed below.
  • Nuffield Health Hospital - Exeter
    Receptionist
    Nuffield Health Hospital - Exeter Sep 2007 - Sep 2008
    Working part-time during university holidays as a receptionist in a busy, private hospitalKey Achievements:o Developed organisational skills by keeping patient records up-to-date and keeping on top of paperwork and administration taskso Provided excellent customer service skills, reassuring patients, taking them to their rooms or wards, answering switchboard telephone calls and dealing with patient enquirieso Demonstrated patience and reassurance dealing with confused and nervous patients about to undergo major procedures
  • University Of Birmingham Guild Of Students
    Bar Staff
    University Of Birmingham Guild Of Students May 2005 - Jun 2006
    Doing bar work during evenings and weekends at the student union whilst at university.

Sara Akhtar Skills

Bid Writing Communication Proposal Writing Marketing Communications Content Management Teamwork Human Resources Time Management Networking Management Performance Management Project Management Business Planning Leadership Volunteering Risk Assessment Budgets Negotiation Policy Social Media Marketing Business Development Customer Service Writing Marketing Digital Marketing Blogging Copywriting Editing Press Releases Social Media Public Relations Adobe Creative Suite Microsoft Office

Sara Akhtar Education Details

Frequently Asked Questions about Sara Akhtar

What company does Sara Akhtar work for?

Sara Akhtar works for Prevista Ltd

What is Sara Akhtar's role at the current company?

Sara Akhtar's current role is Head of Business Development.

What is Sara Akhtar's email address?

Sara Akhtar's email address is sa****@****ail.com

What schools did Sara Akhtar attend?

Sara Akhtar attended University Of Birmingham, Stover School.

What are some of Sara Akhtar's interests?

Sara Akhtar has interest in Children, Skiing, Going To Exercise And Dance Classes, Playing Guitar, Seeing Live Music, Arty Films.

What skills is Sara Akhtar known for?

Sara Akhtar has skills like Bid Writing, Communication, Proposal Writing, Marketing Communications, Content Management, Teamwork, Human Resources, Time Management, Networking, Management, Performance Management, Project Management.

Who are Sara Akhtar's colleagues?

Sara Akhtar's colleagues are Tina Sahota, Mark Kiernan, Tracy Heasman, John Priest, Tracey Shakeshaft, Uchechi Eke, Simisola Kalejaiye B.sc,aca,mba,afa.

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