Val Rozga Email and Phone Number

Delighted to be working with a dynamic and forward thinking team - providing a range of affordable online risk management services.For busy businesses it's like having their own inhouse H&S and HR resource, enabling them to effectively manage all aspects of staff employment and workplace safety.I particularly enjoy that part of what we do - easing the burden of certain aspects of business life so those businesses can get on with the stuff they're really good at!Also, I get the opportunity to learn new ideas and technologies from my colleagues - plus the satisfaction of being able to make my own contribution to some of the exciting ideas they have to take the business forward.

The Cascade Foundation provides a revolutionary new approach to supporting and educating prisoners and others with specific learning difficulties.Am providing professional support in seeking out appropriate funding streams and accessing other potential resources (e.g. business sponsorship) to equip and run a transition centre associated with HMP Doncaster and a family support centre in Essex; also initiating liaision with local authorities, public & private service providers and relevant community support groups - with a view to forming practical working partnerships.www.thecascadefoundation.org

An independant business growth coach under contract with various national and regional support services - helping to inspire and motivate new and established SME’s.For over two decades worked with a broad spectrum of businesses - principally from the manufacturing, environmental, creative and construction sectors, often with a special focus on innovation.Used my inquisitive outlook and the ability to think beyond the “norm”, plus a very comprehensive contact network, to the client's advantage by:- signposting them to appropriate sources of specialist information and expertise - helping them to build business capacity - adopt new technology / form valuable business alliances / reach the most informed decisions.- encouraging them to move ahead and seek out new market opportunities.

As a key member of the Lead Generation and Sales & Marketing teams. Also responsible in areas of business promotion, building contact networks, publicity, organising events & conferences and writing bids & tenders.Loved working with these guys - but unfortunately had to leave when company down-sized.

Responsible for recruitment of members & maintenance of records; building partnerships & collaborations with similar sector groups; organisation & delivery of networking events.

Working with a small group of former senior police officers and forensics experts, supplying product to the emergency services and local authorities. Principal product was the Emer-tent, an inflatable emergency shelter initially developed to secure the forensic evidence at a crime scene.My personal contribution to the business was particularly in its early stages of development in a range of specialist areas from patenting, product development & procurement to warehousing and marketing, and included manufacturing (prototyping & quality control), arranging an overseas agent; developing policies & procedures (quality control & customer service) and securing financial support.

The East Mentoring Forum (EMF) was created to engender a positive culture of mentoring support in the East of England - for individuals and communities and across all sectors. I was invited to join the Board of Directors and become a part of the original set-up team. As such, and with special responsibility for social enterprise and the voluntary sector, I was active in the promotion of the mentoring support concept and in bringing smaller groups and individuals together for mutual advantage.Whilst on the Board I also developed an initiative to support & encourage people with disability to consider self-employment as a viable option.

Engaged on a short-term contract to (i) build relationships with partner organisations and businesses countywide and regionally, with particular focus on the Thames corridor area, and (ii) identify opportunities to access established and innovative resources available to support business members.Together with Southend College organised a major B2B event "The Future Face of Business" to showcase local entrepreneurial talent and the range of specialist support available to new and established businesses.

As principal initiator & driver of a European funded initiative to address the high level of business Start-up failures in South East Essex - by providing the mentoring support of established business owners sharing their experiences, knowledge and expertise of running a successful business. Supported over 200 Start-ups and built an ethos of shared support and encouraged substantial ongoing "collaborative partnership" within the local business community.

Working with Essex businesses to identify the particular needs of a business and provide appropriate information, advice and guidance to relevant support services available - with special focus on any areas of specialist expertise required.Also made voluntary contribution on the committees of a number of strategy groups e.g. Essex Business Partnership; ReMaDe; Essex Innovation Network; Essex Women in Business