Meet the team

Carolina Fernandes, Innovation and Funding Manager, GLE Consulting

As innovation and funding manager for GLE's Enterprise Europe Network contract, Carolina Fernandes helps London businesses access funding from across the EU. She specialises in innovation-related activities, including innovation management, knowledge transfer, strategy, and technology development.

Carolina previously worked as a junior consultant and project manager at a Copernhagen-based consultancy. She has a master's degree in industrial engineering and management, and a post-graduate qualification in management and business development from Chalmers University of Technology, in Sweden.

Her interests include dancing, Formula 1, travelling and reading about philosophy.

Clare Aarons, Training Manager, GLE Consulting

Clare Aarons is GLE's training manager. She holds a City & Guilds 7407 Stage 2 Certificate in Further Education Teaching and is responsible for the development and delivery of a range of accredited and non accredited training courses.

Clare has an APM Introductory Certificate in Project Management and is a qualified NOCN Internal Moderator.

She project managed the LDA Opportunities Fund capacity building project and has a BA (Hons) in Comparative Religion from the University of Manchester. Before working at GLE, she worked in the voluntary sector for over five years in London and India.

Chris Farmakis, EC Funding Manager, GLE Consulting

As EC funding manager for GLE's Enterprise Europe Network, Chris Farmakis works closely with organisations such as the Welcome Trust, the Technology Strategy Board and UK Trade & Investment, to help London businesses access finance.

He has a master's degree in telecommunications and specialises in finance for SMEs and technology companies, and trade and investment in emerging markets. His interests include travelling.

David Jones, Programme Manager, GLE Consulting

David works as the programme manager for the London Councils European Social Fund Co-financing Programme, which helps those who are furthest from employment, and other disadvantaged groups in London, into employment and training, through a package of tailored support.

David previously worked for the Childcare Affordability Programme, a project which reduced the cost of childcare in the capital for low income families. He has also worked at Cheshire County Council within the Special Educational Needs (SEN) and Medical Needs teams.

David has a master's degree in EU Politics, a degree in Biological and Computational Sciences, as well as an NVQ PTLLS (Preparation to teach in Life Long Learning) and an NQV in Project Management. He specialises in project management, training delivery, bid writing, project appraisals and project evaluation. His interests include travelling and art.

Hazell Jarvis, PA to Madeleine Williams, GLE Consulting

Hazell Jarvis is Madeleine Williams' PA and supports the wider Consulting team with administration. She is also an ISO Management Representative.

Her interests include swimming and watching films.

James Harris, Environment and Sustainability Consultant, GLE Consulting

James Harris is an environment and sustainability consultant for Green Mark, an accreditation scheme which helps businesses to develop their environmental management system and certifies environmentally responsible business practices. As part of the London Councils European Service, James helps local authorities involved in energy, environment and sustainable development, access European funding.

James specialises in European funding and legislation, and environmental business support , having previoulsy worked for organisations which foster sustainable business practices in the UK's creative sector as well as a community development project in Belize.

James has a master's degree in Sustainable Development. His interests include hiking, biking, non-discriminate film watching, nature photography, books, cooking, and discovering new music.

Janos Hampel, European Social Fund (ESF) Systems Manager, GLE Consulting

Janos Hampel has been an ESF systems manager for the London Councils ESF Programme, which supports access to employment for those who are furthest from the labour market, since 2008.

Janos previously worked for the Community Grants project, a funding programme for small voluntary and community organisations, which improve access to employment.

He has a master's degree in Economic Agricultural Engineering and a degree in Food Industry Engineering.

Karen Ferguson, Programme Manager, GLE Consulting

Karen Ferguson programme manages the Community Grants project, which supports access to employment for Londoners who are furthest from the labour market. Karen has a degree in sociology from Goldsmiths College.

Kateřina Bartošová, Project Assistant, GLE Consulting

Kateřina is a project assistant on the Entrepreneurship as a route out of social exclusion project, which provides start-up business support to disadvantaged groups in Prague.

Kateřina's interests include badminton, baking and breeding rabbits.

Madalina Nazare, Project Manager, GLE Consulting

Madalina project manages GLE's Enterprise Europe Network contract. London businesses in the technology and science sectors find European partners and funding.

Madalina previously worked at the European Commission's Department of Enterprise and Industry and the European Investment Bank.

She has a master's degree in European Project Expertise from Sorbonne University in Paris, and specialises in European litigation law, EU SME policy, R&D policy development and lobbying.

Madeleine Williams, Managing Director, GLE Consulting

In a 20-year career at senior level in London, Madeleine has worked for the Greater London Council and the ALG (now London Councils) before moving to GLE. She has led major London projects such as setting up the London Development Partnership, London’s first Recycling Scheme and the Capital’s successful lobby for EU funding.

Madeleine has a strong European perspective in her work, working closely with EU institutions, and has led London's partnership working with other cities. She set up London House in Brussels 1994, and has developed co-operation on urban issues by co-ordinating London delegations to major European cities.

Madeleine directed The London Study, a research project for the European Commission that served as a model for projects in Berlin, Leipzig, Marseilles and Vienna. She has directed several EU projects including the European Learning Network on enterprise in deprived urban areas and a study of population mobility in European cities.

Madeleine sits on several bodies including the London European Programmes Committee, the Objective 3 Advisory Group, and the Stockwell Urban management committee. She has advised the European Commission, the Committee of the regions and several Government departments.

Manon Meignen, Project Assistant, GLE Consulting

Manon is a project assistant for the Enterprise Europe Network London project, managed by GLE Consulting.

She has worked for several environmental organisations, specialising in European policy and has an master's degree in European Politics. Her interests include politics, current affairs, the environment and sport.

Martina Koczová, Business Adviser, GLE Consulting

Martina Koczová worked as a business adviser on the Entrepreneurship as a Route out of Social Exclusion project, providing start-up business support to disadvantaged groups in Prague.

She previously worked at the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic, focusing on issues facing migrant communities, as well as other roles in the not-for-profit sector.

Martina has a master's degree in Social and Cultural Anthropology and a degree in law.

Her interests include jogging, travelling, reading and photography.

Michaela Barotková, Project Manager and Business Adviser, GLE Consulting

Michaela Barotková managed the Entrepreneurship as a Route out of Social Exclusion project, providing start-up business support to disadvantaged groups in Prague. Having exceeded its targets, the project supported over 200 clients.

Michaela has a master's degree in the Study of Civil Society from Charles University and specialises in business services in the not-for-profit sector.

Her interests include climbing, cycling and reading.

Natalia Gubbioni, Consultant, GLE Consulting

Natalia Gubbioni is a consultant on the London Councils European Service, helping London boroughs access funding, build partnerships and manage projects effectively.

Natalia has a master's degree in International Relations (110/110 cum laude) and specialises in EU policies on employment, social affairs, human rights, international relations and economic development.

Sophie Bromley, Green Mark Adviser, GLE Consulting

Sophie is an Adviser for Green Mark, an environmental award scheme which helps organisations to reduce costs and attract new business by lowering their environmental impact.

Sophie has a degree in English, a level 3 (EDI) Project Management Qualification and has worked for a number of charities, campaigning for environmental and humanitarian causes.

Her interests include hiking, gardening, music and art.

Tomas Ryba, Business Adviser, GLE Consulting

Tomas Ryba is a business adviser at GLE's Prague office and has worked on the Entrepreneurship as a Route out of Social Exclusion project, providing business start-up support to disadvantaged groups in Prague.

Tomas has a master's degree in Business and Economics and specialises in business finance, tax, accounting and administration in the Czech Republic.

His interests include mushroom picking, country walks and beer sampling.

Stephen Boon, Managing Consultant, GLE Consulting

Stephen Boon is a managing consultant at GLE. He leads a team of nine consultants who help public sector clients develop and deliver economic development interventions. These include London Councils’ £42 million European Social Fund Programme.

Stephens expertise includes the development of strategy, procurement frameworks, payment by results modelling, programme and project management, the European Social Fund, and performance management and improvement.

Stephen has been working at GLE since 2002 and his network includes London's local authorities, the Greater London Authority, The Department for Work and Pensions, the Local Government Association, the Skills Funding Agency, and Ministry of Justice.

Stephen is currently studying for an MBA at Cass Business School in London. He gained an MA (Distinction) in Political Science from Lund University, Sweden and a BA in European Studies and French from the King’s College London and the London School of Economics. He speaks French and Swedish.