Gesa Dr Reiss

In charge of developing a model to describe the necessary requirements and components for a successful system to aid learning and development for the forestry sector, UK.

Capacity building Facilitate R&D activities, identify economic opportunities for businesses Establish networks for forestry businesses Influence national policy / liaise with government officials Provide expert knowledge Raise profile of the forestry sector.

Partnership development and management Business planning Strategic development of income sources. Budget control Project development and delivery Team and staff management Represented GWCF on various networks, Oversaw the delivery of the GWCF Marketing Plan / Communications Strategy

Capacity building and neighbourhood renewal. Partnership development and management. Business planning - Produced strategic and operational plans for the Partnership, monitored their implementation and undertook an evaluation of their effectiveness. Managed complex cross-sector projects. Represented the Partnership at Local Strategic Partnership Board meetings. Trustee of Reading Voluntary Action (Voluntary sector council)

Solely responsible for the development and implementation of national and international communication strategies with the aim to create a strong quality brand for this land-based college. Expanded the College’s portfolio of courses through consultation and liaison with commercial partners.

Senior consultant advising the fresh produce and food sector world-wide on topics related to export quality assurance systems, export marketing of organic fresh produce, ethical trading and supply chain management. Overseas business development - experience in developing business in Belgium, Cameroon, Egypt, France, India, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Romania, Uganda and Germany. Training specialist: Director of two MSc programmes in post-harvest technology.

Lectured to students of Higher and Further Education. Tutored students and supervised their projects. Maintained and developed liaison with the horticultural industry and other relevant organisations.