Meet The Team

The Million Makers Team for Konica Minolta is made up of 12 candidates. You can find their profiles below.

Kevin Dean - Chairperson

Age: 27

Department and Job Title: Logistics – Transport Manager

Favourite Colour: Blue

Favourite Film: Saving Private Ryan

Strengths:  I’m incredibly tenacious, for things that I believe in and am passionate about, I will work tirelessly to make them a success. My competitive nature lends itself to the competition. 2^nd isn’t good enough!!

Why I entered Million Makers: The idea of competing against other businesses up and down the country was what initially attracted me to the competition, but through my involvement my reasons have evolved into wanting to take the opportunity to expand my skill set and feel good about the contribution I have helped make to the young people in Essex.

Why I think we can win:  I think we can win because we have a great idea, and a great team to turn that idea into profit!

Ole Cooper - Treasurer

Age: 25

Department and Job Title: Finance – Management Accountant

Favourite Colour: Blue

Favourite Film: Terminator

Strengths:  I am extremely competitive and always give it my all to ensure to meet my objectives and most importantly, to win…. I am versatile and strive to learn and apply new skills.

Why I entered Million Makers: The competition attracted me as it will give me the opportunity to test my skills and work with people from other departments across the business.

Why I think we can win: Every member of the team brings something different to Innovation Blue and I believe by utilising all of our skill sets we can really make a success of this project.

Denise Spencer – Deputy Chairperson

Age: 30

Department and Job Title: HR – HR Shared Services Manager

Favourite Colour: Purple

Favourite Film: The Goonies

Strengths:  Working in the HR team I communicate with people at different levels and have to think about all aspects of the business, which I believe will aid this project whilst it is in development stages.  I also have high responsibility values which means I will commit to this project and ensure it is successful. 

Why I entered Million Makers:  I feel that Million Makers will expose me to different colleagues that I have not worked and although I interact with many people on a day to day basis I do not get to spend quality time with colleagues outside of my HR team.  I enjoy raising money for charity and this will get me to get involved at a different level.  I believe that Million Makers will also help me develop new skills to help me in my career.

Why I think we can win:  We have an absolutely fabulous team with great ideas who are also committed to this challenge.  We also have the support from our leaders and fellow colleagues which is key to success.

Sidra Baloch – Deputy Treasurer

Age: 26

Department and Job Title: Finance – General Ledger Assistant

Favourite Colour: Blue

Favourite Film: Space Jam

Strengths: Working in Accounts has enabled me to gain an understanding of the financial aspects of a business, and as it is an important part to the success of any business, I can assist with the financial side. Moreover during my day to day basis I need to be able to meet tight month-end deadlines and prioritise workload accordingly, and I believe these skills will help in the project too. I am not only determined but also passionate person!

Why I entered Million Makers: I entered Million Makers because I enjoy raising money for charity. I have taken part in charity fundraising events at University, so I think Million Makers will be on a different level and it is also for a worthwhile cause. Also, not only will I gain new skills, which I can bring back to my workplace, I will also get a chance to work with colleagues from different departments that I have not worked with before.

Why I think we can win: We have a success-driven team, with lots of support, commitment, and passion, which is all key to winning.

Tracey Smith – Events Coordinator

Age: 37

Department and Job Title: Sales – Branch Administrator

Favourite Colour: Blue

Favourite Film: The Outsiders

Strengths: Working as a Sales Branch Administrator I work as part of a team to help achieve our goals, I also need be have good planning, developing and negotiating skills and being able to help with the challenges that arise, I believe that this will help with this project . I’m also loyal, passionate and determined and will do all what it takes.

Why I entered the Million Makers: Being able to change young people lives. Working with different colleagues within the business and learning new skills, having the challenge and then the achievement.

Why I think we can win: I think we can win with all the different team skills that we have and the great idea, I have all faith that we can achieve our goals.

Ben Leeson – Marketing Director

Age: 27

Department and Job Title: Marketing – Marcoms Executive

Favourite Colour: Innovation Blue of course!!

Favourite Film: Goodfellas

Strengths:  Having held a variety of marketing, communications and event based roles I feel I have a wealth of transferrable skills which would lend themselves perfectly to the Million Makers challenge. I am highly organised and like to see plans and task through from inception to competition, again something that I believe is key to maintaining drive and momentum throughout the Million Makers Challenge.

Why I entered Million Makers: To further the work of the Princes Trust as well as aid in my own personal development. Having worked with Charities previously I’m very much aware of the great work they do and how hard it can be to raise the vital funds needed.

Why I think we can win:  We have a mix of talent, ability and experience which combine perfectly to form a highly committed and motivated team with a shared vision and goal…to win!

Mark Lanham – Creative Designer

Age: 32

Department and Job Title: Marketing – Creative Marketing Executive

Favourite Colour: Blue

Favourite Film: Wall•e (how cute!)

Favourite Quote: “Designer” does not mean “artist”; though lots of people want to think it does. The job of a designer is not self-expression, its problem solving. Elizabeth Boling.

Strengths: Studied to be a keen, enthusiastic, professional graphic and web designer from 2007-2010 and managed to bag a First Class Honors Degree, (well chuffed!). This means I understand design theory and the importance of brand building, identity and perception. Currently runs own design business in free time. Originally trained in hospitality and catering to be a professional chef and worked for the Hilton and Marriott chains along the way. Developed an interest and specialised in creative garnishing for buffets etc. (have photos if anyone’s interested!) Also, used to be top sales advisor for PC World Colchester a few years ago and could sell snow to an Eskimo.

Why I entered Million Makers: Great opportunity to work in a team, learn new skills, meet another colleagues that you don’t normally work with on a day-to-day basis and ultimately offer support and give back to the community.

Louise Jose – PR Director

Age: 25

Department and Job Title: Marketing – Marcoms Executive

Favourite Colour: Red

Favourite Film: The Time Travellers Wife (also love the Matrix)

Strengths: I love a challenge and when million Makers presented itself I thought it would be a lot of fun. I love working as part of a team aiming to achieve a shared goal.

I run a small hobby business outside of work and as part of that I have learned to utilise many forms of free or cheap promotion including social media and building my own website and blog. I love interacting with my customers, taking custom and repeat orders.

Why I entered Million Makers:  I see this challenge as a way of improving and growing my skill set by leaning from others in the group as well as imparting my own knowledge. I would also like to get to know other colleagues who I many not usually meet within my day-to-day job.

Why I think we can win:  We are a very dedicated team with many different skills and attributes. We all bring different things to the table and we won’t accept no fan an answer!

Ed Tucker – Events Coordinator

Age: 28

Department and Job Title: Contract Administration – Billing Coordinator

Favourite Colour: Innovation Blue

Favourite Film: Howl’s Moving Castle

Strengths: Working within the Administration Department has taught me to work diligently and have an eye for detail. I am good at collating large amounts of raw data into something useful and useable which benefits both internal and external customers. I am exceptional at putting customers and people at the heart of all activities and pride myself on delivering world class standards.

Why I Entered Million Makers: I entered Million Makers to improve my skills and to learn new things. The idea of working with people that I would not usually come into contact with daily was also of great appeal.

Why I think we can win: We have formulated a business opportunity that utilises the strengths of the company and that along with the support from the business puts us in an incredibly strong position.

Dan Euston – Events Coordinator

Age: 27

Department and Job Title: Contract Administration – Data Administrator 

Favourite Colour: Green

Favourite Film: Lord of the Rings Trilogy

Strengths: I believe my key strengths are that I'm a strong team player with excellent organisation skills with the ability to adapt to the task at hand,

Why I entered Million Makers:  I feel that Million Makers will help me to get my face known within Konica Minolta whilst helping a great cause with the added bonus of helping young people in the area I live, also to help develop the skills that I have and to learn new ones and to meet people within Konica Minolta that I don’t normally deal with.

Why I think we can win:  I think that we have a team very committed to the challenge and the drive to win. 

Jo Coyle - Card Specialist 

Age: 41

Department and Job Title: Logistics – Logistics Support Supervisor

Favourite Colour: Purple

Favourite Film: American Pie

Strengths:  I have strong organisation and communication skills.  I enjoy challenges and have the drive to succeed.

Why I entered Million Makers:  I love a challenge and am very competitive; this coupled with being able to make a difference to other people’s lives through this competition is what compelled me to apply.

Why I think we can win:  We have an excellent team made up of so many different skills.  We also have an excellent idea which we all believe in.  On top of this we all share the same highly competitive spirit and determination to succeed.

Eileen McNamara (soon to be Waterman) - Team Secretary
Age: Irrelevant
Department & Job Title: Bids & Tenders - Bid Author
Favourite Colour: Blue
Favourite Films:  Dirty Dancing
Strengths:  I am a positive, enthusiastic and well organised member of the team.  Working for the bids and tenders team I need to work really hard at pulling teams together to ensure that deadlines are always met.  I am experienced at building relationships at all levels across the business and have an all-round commercial awareness.  I have also helped in the raising of donations though charity events such as Golf Days with great success in order to raise funds for Little Havens Hospice.
Why I entered Million Makers: If I can make a difference for even one young adult by using my own work/life experience and a bit of extra work then…why not?
Why I think we can win: I think we can win because we have a dedicated, ambitious, competitive and passionate team of people working together to make a difference!