New Unity Enterprise Manager announced

Catherine Allsop has been appointed to lead Unity Enterprise (UE), the not-for-profit subsidiary of Leeds-based BME housing association Unity Homes and Enterprise.

A founder of two innovative, community-focused businesses, she brings over six years of leadership experience in community building, education and social inclusion.

Established in 2000 to support local entrepreneurship, UE currently provides 153 affordable business units across three centres for more than 140 diverse businesses, which together employ more than 1,250 people.

It was recently shortlisted for SME of the Year at the Northern Housing Awards.

As UE Manager, Catherine will spearhead a multi-skilled team in the delivery of high-quality services to business tenants and other stakeholders.

She will also manage Unity Business Centre, Leeds Media Centre and Chapeltown Enterprise Centre on a day-to-day basis, and be an ambassador for UE’s work locally, regionally and nationally.

Cedric Boston, Unity Homes and Enterprise Chief Executive, said: “UE actively promotes entrepreneurship as a career to individuals who are not traditionally encouraged by the sector to follow this path.

“To help overcome the barriers they face, UE provides a range of advice and support services for people to set up their own business, become self-employed, receive training and education, and enter employment for the first time or after a prolonged period of economic inactivity.

“Catherine’s skillset and life experiences make her an ideal fit for this role. We are delighted to have her onboard.”

Catherine Allsop said: “I am looking forward to working with the team at Unity Enterprise and the wider community to support local entrepreneurs and business owners, and to help more people in the local area see business as a sustainable and rewarding career.

“UE is guided by its social purpose, with values which closely mirroring my own.

“I will be focussed on helping to strengthen its long-term sustainability and further expand its impact in the community.”