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"What jobs did you do before moving to consultancy?"
After qualifying as a physicist I initially worked in Medical Physics for the University of Aberdeen where I was responsible for radiotherapy planning at Foresterhill Hospital and some of the early MRI scanner developments. I then spend 23 years in the packaging industry initially in R&D but progressing through factory management to being the regional director for the Far East. In the late 90s I returned to Aberdeen to manage a commercial printer for a local venture capital company. It was whilst producing the Weekly Property guide for Aberdeen Solicitor's Property Centre that I came across Facilitators as they were developing the website for ASPC.
"Why did you decide to become a partner at Facilitators?"
I was initially invited to join what at that time was Facilitators (UK) Ltd and became the Managing Director within a few months. I was clear that the business model was not a successful one so on the retiral of two of the Directors, Susan Kirkwood and I set up the Firm of Facilitators UK along with the other founding partners Clive Randall and Bob Kelley.
"What are your areas of expertise?"
I have a technical background and a broad understanding of volume manufacturing, printing, plastics technologies and the food, beverage and general packaging industries. So as well as R&D (technology and product development) I have considerable operational experience in reviewing strategy development, organisational restructuring, change management and performance measurement.
"What kind of work have you done with clients as a consultant?"
I never saw myself as a consultant - bane of my corporate career, but the whole approach of Facilitators is quite different, we help people to help themselves. Most of my facilitation (rather than consultative) work has been around strategic business reviews having develop our "FITfor business" product working mainly with SMEs. In the last few years though I have been almost 100% working on the business that is now Facilitators international LLP, trying to ensure that we practice what we preach.
"Do you have any qualifications that help you in your line of work?"
A moot point - I have two degrees in physics which are of little use to me these days. I have of course been on numerous management and leadership courses over the years, but today it is mainly my experience that I most call upon.
"What do you do when you're not working?"
I spend as much time with family and friends. My hobbies are fairly active like hillwalking, cycling and now badminton as advised not to play squash any more. I like travelling and have a house in Spain which I escape to from time to time.
"What's the best piece of business advice you've ever been given?"
Begin with the end in mind - it is one of Stephen Covey's "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" and something I'd recommend people to do more often to help shape a better future for both their organisation and themselves.
"Who do you most admire?"
In my time, for what he went through and the leadership he exudes it has to be Nelson Mandela.
Please also see other
People in our team.
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