New appointment to provide boost for local enterprise

Unity Homes and Enterprise has appointed an experienced commercial manager to oversee its business and enterprise centres following a major refurbishment project.

44-year-old Adrian Green joins the not-for-profit organisation after filling a range of client-facing roles with major private sector employers including Jay Tee Group, Bank of Scotland and Yorkshire Bank.

Unity currently provides 130 managed workspaces for around 80 local businesses in three facilities – Unity Business Centre, Chapeltown Enterprise Centre and Leeds Media Centre – close to the city centre.

Last year, Unity Business Centre and Chapeltown Enterprise Centre benefitted from a £1.4 million internal and external refurbishment scheme.

Leeds Media Centre is home to local television station Made in Leeds which went on air in 2014 and provides more than 40 jobs.

Mr Green, who takes up the reins as Enterprise Manager, said he was impressed by Unity’s commitment to enhance the communities it serves.

He continued: “Unity was set up almost 30 years ago to serve local housing needs, but is now much more than a provider of high quality affordable homes.

“Unity Enterprise was established as a subsidiary company in 2000 to support local entrepreneurial activity and invest in social and economic regeneration. Our three centres are pivotal to achieving these objectives and it is vital that they function at their optimum.

“We can boast a proud tenant retention rate but we also want to encourage other organisations to use the excellent resources we possess including our first class conference and meeting facilities. Exciting times lie ahead.”

Unity Chief Executive Ali Akbor added: “We are delighted to have Adrian onboard. I have no doubt that his proven business acumen will deliver significant results for Unity.

“Partnership working is at the heart of everything we do and the businesses that take up units in our centres are hugely important to us.

“Alongside our housing tenants, their rents help us to boost enterprise opportunities and protect local jobs.

“The £1.4 million spent upgrading Unity Business Centre and Chapeltown Enterprise Centre was a major commitment for an organisation of our size but, with Adrian’s input, I have no doubt that this investment will prove to be a shrewd move.”

Anyone seeking more information about Unity Enterprise or its facilities can contact Adrian Green on Tel: 0113 242 5996 or email: adrian.green@unityha.co.uk