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"What jobs did you do before moving to consultancy/Facilitators?"
I did some wind tunnel research into the aerodynamic performance of turbine blades.
I tested rocket engines for Blue Streak Launcher (lox/ kero) and tested a British upper stage engine (lox/ liquid hydrogen) that worked but never flew, as Britain gave up on the space race.
I did acceptance testing on power station steam generation plant, incinerators etc. in UK, Europe, Africa, Thailand and Pakistan.
I was an HSE Advisor for Shell, based onshore, but travelling extensively to offshore platforms, MODUs, DSVs, Crane Barges in the field and in builders' yards. Eventually, I settled on Logistics and Procurement as the area of Shell on which to concentrate. That is aircraft, ships, warehousing and all the HSE angles around buying stuff.
I was a Quality Management Advisor for Shell Logistics and Procurement, but sometimes working with the well engineering people.
I became an internal Business Improvement Consultant and Facilitator for Shell.
"Why did you decide to become an associate of Facilitators?"
On retirement from Shell, I was invited to become an Associate. I gave Facilitators one of its first jobs when I worked for Shell, so maybe that had something to do with it. I accepted because I'm useless at decorating and gardening, which is what most retirees get up to. When the firm changed to become a Partnership, I was invited to join in as a Partner. It seemed like the right thing to do, and it turned out to be just that.
"What are your areas of expertise?"
I'm not sure I have any left. I used to enjoy running problem solving teams doing Root Cause Analysis and similar exercises, and still enjoy that. I also can do Strategy Development with leadership teams. Latterly I have been concentrating on Management Systems. I think I've probably lost the knack of rocket engine testing.
"What kind of work have you done with clients as a consultant?"
As above, RCA, strategy development and some business process analysis. In addition to their strategy, I did an oil spill contingency plan for an oil company in the Faroe Islands, which was entertaining.
"Do you have any qualifications that help you in your line of work?"
I'm still a Chartered Engineer, but have done a number of courses in various aspects during various phases of my work. I was a full Member of IOSH, I was a Member of the International Association of Facilitators, and an Accredited Auditor for the International Loss Control Institute, all of which were examined memberships. These, however, have lapsed as different interests take precedence.
"What do you do when you're not working?"
I'm on three not-for-profit boards as non-executive director. I also have a couple of jobs in the Methodist Church. I like travel, and getting to know some of the history and current situation of the places I travel to. I read a bit, and take uninteresting photographs.
"What's the best piece of business advice you've ever been given?"
Not given advice, but picked up - get to know when you should be listening instead of talking.
"Who do you most admire?"
Probably the Archbishop of Canterbury, who I met last year. He's an academic theologian who can put it over. He's also got the hardest facilitation job in the world, and probably the toughest leadership task imaginable in running the world-wide Anglican Community with its current splits and dire arguments, but keeps his head.
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People in our team.
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