"People love the enthusiasm and energy we share with clients, and the clarity and insight we bring."

Cathy Jackson-Read

"The future is a fascinating place. Seeing ideas and plans shape up into successful delivery is a reward in itself."

Liz Watkins-Young

The Rubus team are experienced professionals with a reputation for excellence in delivery, strategic thinking and a direct approach.

Rubus is led by its Directors, Cathy Jackson-Read and Liz Watkins-Young. Our fusion of commercial, Third Sector and Public Sector experience creates new and valuable insights for our clients.

Cathy Jackson-Read, Director

An experienced facilitator and organisational development consultant, Cathy has worked at strategic and operational levels with a variety of statutory service providers, regional and sub-regional agencies including Local Strategic Partnerships and consortia, and voluntary and community organisations, to enable cross sector liaison and collaborative working. Cathy works on strategy development, feasibility, business planning and business case development assignments. A member of the Social Research Association, Cathy undertakes grass roots research, stakeholder engagement and community capacity building. She has a strong background in Third Sector development, service and built asset sustainability, health and social care, community engagement techniques and good practice. A certified 'Open Space' facilitator, Cathy brings excellent facilitation and engagement skills, and a sound understanding of evaluation tools and techniques.

Liz Watkins-Young, Director

In a 20-year management and consulting career, Liz has worked at strategic and operational levels with Local Authorities, Regional Centres of Excellence/RIEPs, Local Strategic Partnerships, consortia and individual service organisations to enable organisations to reach out and serve their client group effectively. From a career in private sector management in the IT and professional services industries (business development, operations and financial management) Liz now works across sectors to plan and support growth and change. She manages evaluation, research, business planning, marketing communication, market development and branding projects in all Rubus' market sectors. A vocal advocate of enterprise as the best response to many social and environmental issues, Liz is an Executive Board member of Social Enterprise West Midlands and an active participant in Partners for Social Enterprise, a sub-regional rural enterprise network. She is also a member of the Chartered Management Institute, Chartered Institute of Marketing and the Market Research Society.

Associates

Rubus works closely with a trusted network of associate professionals and organisations, with complementary skills and experience, to offer a comprehensive package of development services.