CASE Specialists

Jane Avery

Jane has over 40 years experience of working within the co-operative sector, having started as Member Relations Officer at East Midlands Co-operative Society. Her role enabled her to explore her development skills by working with organisations and authorities to implement co-operative values and principles. Jane successfully strengthened democracy by developing strategies for active memberships.

Using these principles and abilities Jane has continued her career as an advisor at a number of different local agencies, including CASE. Her experience has involved supporting community organisations take control when under threat, support communities and individuals improve life chances and standards, organise support structures and develop consortiums and encourage societies to engage in policy making. She has vast knowledge of co-operative and community interest company business structures and has helped many local organisations in start-up and company management.

Jane continues to offer positive influence within the Co-operative sector as she undertakes a 2nd term as President of East Midlands Co-op and sits as Trustee and Chair of Leicester Rape Crisis.

Emma Compson

Emma has over 25 years career experience in sports and community development, shared across local/central government, education, voluntary and community sector and major capital programmes. Emma’s background and passion for bringing about local action to improve community provision are instrumental to her becoming a qualified Social Enterprise Support provider and Project Manager, with knowledge and skills in community ownership.

In 2017, Emma established a social infrastructure support business, motivating community organisations and groups to identify, start-up and develop exciting community ventures that fulfil local need and provide a social return. She enjoys dedicating time and energy to help community groups and organisations turn the seeds of an idea into viable projects or business propositions.

Dorothy Francis

Dorothy has worked within the field of co-operatives and social enterprise for 40 years and is passionate about how social businesses change lives and communities for the better.

Specialising in employment law, HR, co-operative working practices and management, Dorothy has many years’ experience advising cooperatives and social enterprises to establish and grow. She is committed to promoting business to women; especially women of colour and from newly arrived communities and has a special interest in the promotion of equality, equity and diversity.

Dorothy received the OBE-equivalent Lifetime Achievement Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion in 2016. She was awarded an MBE in 2017 in recognition of services to enterprise and the communities of Leicester and Leicestershire and was identified as one of the NatWest WISE 100 Leading Women in Social Enterprise. Her services to Diversity and the Co-operative Movement were recognised in 2018 when the University of Leicester awarded her an Honorary Doctorate of Laws, and she is an Entrepreneur in Residence at the University, assisting students and staff to explore enterprise options. She is a Chartered Manager and a Companion of the Chartered Management Institute, and a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

Ian Wilson

Ian enjoys working alongside people to make a difference in their working lives and in their community.

He is a co-operator, a connector and a catalyst who brings a thoughtful and focused approach while being experienced in working with people to start their enterprise, grow their impact and understand what they want to achieve and how to get there.

Ian has a good understanding of business planning and strategy as well as being proportionate in the capability of organisations and is adept at finding the right approach.

Ian has been with CASE for over a decade working with a wide range of people and organisations in the East Midlands and across the UK.

An added dimension to Ian's perspective is as CEO of an impactful community co-operative working on citizen led regeneration in Coalville. As well as displaying experience in asset-based community development, it also runs as a social enterprise which shares tools for better decisions and possibility thinking.

CASE Coordinator

Julia Carden

Julia has 35 years experience in financial and office management and has worked in the arts, voluntary and charity sectors throughout her life. After growing up in south-Leicestershire Julia moved to London to study Arts Administration at Mountview Theatre School. She was then privileged to gain 8 years of progression within the Little Angel Puppet Theatre, finally managing it as Administrator & Coordinator. Julia moved north into the voluntary sector as Finance Officer & PA to Liverpool Central Citizen's Advice Bureau's Manager. Overseas, from 2004, she ran a family business in Spain before embarking on life in Dubai, where she secured a Coordinator role within the Rotary Club of Jumeirah.

Back to Leicestershire in 2015 Julia returned to Arts Administration as a freelancer, as well as being drawn back to the voluntary sector, becoming Finance Officer and PA to the CEO of Leicestershire Action for Mental Health Project. She joined CASE in 2018 to support her colleagues in 'changing the way people work'.

CASE Associates

Alun Pomfrett

Alun has 20 years of Management experience in the Hospitality & Retail sectors and a proven track record of building award-winning teams and profitable businesses. He has a history of multi-site management of hotels and conference centres, with a combined annual revenue of £3million. From cafe’s, pubs, and chocolate shops to serving world leaders, he has been a champion of the ‘enlightened hospitality’ ethos.

Currently Alun serves as an HR & Compliance Manager, Advisory Board Member and heads up his own Consultancy Service.
He considers himself privileged to be able to choose exciting projects to lend his experience to in a consulting capacity, so when clients need flair and imagination rooted in sound business principles, they can rely on him to deliver!

A great believer in personal development, Alun's consulting activities supplement mentoring and pro bono work with up-and-coming ‘hospitalitarians’ and he is always looking to support the next generation, hopefully making their journey to success that little bit easier.

Jimena Shelton

Jimena is a highly skilled and creative marketing professional with extensive experience in business management, sales, account management, marketing, and strategic partnerships in companies of technology, services and food & drink.

She is currently the Managing Director of a family run, award-winning Colombian coffee manufacturing / distributing company, which has given her significant business strategic and development experience in planning and delivery.

In addition, Jimena spends much of her time working as a Community Service Volunteer, providing advice and guidance to individuals and groups on how to play active parts within their communities, as well as performing as an Enterprise Business Advisor in collaboration with the LLEP.

Jimena is a committed and supportive advocate of community business and has significant personal experience, enabling her to be an effective advisor with multiple skills.

Jo Wright

Jo is an extensively experienced business and marketing specialist with knowledge and skills to support both commercial and NFP organisations. Highly versed in supporting SME/NFP in start-up support, business development, business modelling/management, strategic planning, income generation, branding and marketing, digital and social media marketing/management, copywriting, and integrated marketing communications.

Passionate about supporting business owners at start-up stage as well as more established businesses (typically those in need of an effective kickstart when stuck), she is known for being truly entrepreneurial and unwaveringly authentic, always professional, and personable with respectful, honest and effective communication and delivery. Jo is committed to an inclusive style of support tailoring her services to the needs of clients and beneficiaries to ensure appropriate and maximum results.

Jo is a Marketing Master's Degree graduate, is CIM qualified, Prince2 Project Management certified, ERDF experienced, a certified Executive/Performance Coach and is a Member of the Association for Coaching.