Estelle Dimelor's Email

I'm the chief executive of an education charity. I've had a very successful career in dispute resolution and litigation, having been a partner at three major law firms. And yet I left school at the age of 16 with limited prospects and no ambition to go to university. I had little interest in academic qualifications, and little confidence to pursue my goals. All that changed when I met two people who saw my potential, actively mentoring me to take a real interest in my academic and personal goals. They helped to give me the confidence to apply for a degree course at Cambridge University – a decision which changed my life and led to a rewarding career. I have built an impressive reputation for legal management during my working life. I can demonstrate that my commitment to results is absolute and my ability to get the best from people and organisations is proven, having launched a successful intellectual property department from scratch and turned around a failing department elsewhere. With this in mind, I took a diversion from the law and accepted the post of chief executive at Values Academy, a charity which provides an alternative to mainstream education. I wanted to acknowledge those who gave me the opportunity to build a successful career by giving my experience and knowledge to a charity which does the same for young people today. I feel passionate about helping young people to be the best they can be by ensuring everyone has access to a great education. An education that not only provides academic qualifications, but really changes people’s lives before they slip through the cracks. Our story is enormous – visit our website and find out for yourself: www.valuesacademy.org.uk.

Chief Executive @ At Values Academy, we don't believe in lost causes. The charity provides an alternative to mainstream education for young people at risk of social exclusion. It is one school with two sites, in Birmingham and Nuneaton. The organisation has been working with young people since 1990 and became a registered charity in 2009. Although our charitable status enabled us to help more young people, it became clear that we needed to do more. I joined Values Academy to raise its profile and increase funding. I have led the way in determining the charity's values, vision, mission and goals. In March 2013, I instigated a rebranding and communications exercise designed to update Values Academy's look and feel and improve its image in the media. Specialities: ★ Legal compliance: my background as a solicitor means I understand the intricacies of intellectual property, commercial litigation and dispute resolution. My track record is superb. ★ Mission, policy and planning: My remit is always to fully integrate with my organisation. This is particularly important at a charity, where I have adopted the ethos and expectation of Values Academy. ★ Management and administration: I use tried and tested methods to get the best from my employees, implementing programmes of continuous evaluation. I have an excellent track record in this area - take a look at my previous roles. ★ Governance: With a proven ability to work with a wide range of professionals, I am well-placed to work collaboratively with the board of trustees to create a motivational environment. ★ Financing: I have an excellent reputation for delivering to financial targets. At Values Academy, one of my key roles - and a very rewarding one - is to put together an effective fund development programme. ★ Community relations: My business development and networking skills are excellent, and a heavy involvement in marketing throughout my career means I understand what the charity needs to be successful. From September 2012 to Present (3 years 4 months) Birmingham, United KingdomChair @ I was nominated and appointed as chair of the Warwick Portas Pilot Project, a voluntary position in a unique undertaking. I can demonstrate absolute commitment to results, having taken the project from initial discussions into a fully articulated vision for the future of Warwick. With only four weeks to put together a detailed application for Warwick to become a Portas Pilot town, it was a time-pressured undertaking. The process required excellent management skills, particularly people management. The application was unique in that other applications were council-led. It was a remarkable achievement to meet the deadline from a standing start and within such a small time-scale. Key achievements: ★ Networking with three councils through their leaders to garner letters of support. ★ Gained matched funding in excess of £42,000 in just three weeks, in the event that Warwick became a Portas Pilot Town. ★ Chaired all Warwick Portas Pilot Project meetings. ★ Collaborated with local councillors, the local MP and townsfolk to appoint the Town Team (a senior team) which includes the managers of Warwick Castle and Warwick Racecourse. ★ Created and coordinated sub-teams to carry out research, network with local councils and the business community, and keep the public informed about progress. ★ Secured the promise of support from a major local company to mentor and assist a local college in implementing Warwick Academy to support local start-up businesses. ★ Achieved the final outcome by ensuring the objective was delivered by the Town Team and sub-teams. From February 2012 to Present (3 years 11 months) Partner and Head of Commercial Litigation Southampton @ Head of Commercial Litigation team in Southampton Office From January 2011 to June 2011 (6 months) Partner, Head of Dispute Resolution @ From May 2006 to September 2010 (4 years 5 months) Partner/Head of Intellectual Property @ From April 2003 to July 2004 (1 year 4 months) Partner @ From 2000 to 2003 (3 years)

LLM, Intellectual Property @ University of Nottingham From 2003 to 2004 MA, Law @ University of Cambridge From 1987 to 1990 Estelle Dimelor is skilled in: Commercial Litigation, Mediation, Civil Litigation, Intellectual Property, Legal Advice, Litigation, Dispute Resolution, Employment Law, Debt Settlement, Corporate Law, Negotiation, Legal Assistance, Courts, Wills, New Business Development