PROFILE
MBA
qualified Manager/Director with 30 years’ management
experience, including national and international work
exposure. Highly skilled in business process analysis,
development and implementation, with proven ability to
rapidly adapt to new environments, identify complex,
uncertain and dynamic risks and issues and develop effective
quality assured solutions in line with corporate goals. A
goal orientated leader with excellent communication skills,
offering a successful track record in initiating and
delivering high profile projects, complemented by measurable
entrepreneurial achievements.
SPECIALIST AREA
Extensive experience in rail infrastructure asset
information management coupled with detailed working
knowledge of rail operations particularly in relation to
train performance. This has been achieved over a twelve year
period working on a series of projects as a consultant or
interim manager. Key areas of work include;
‘Measuring the railway’
carried out in 1995 for [snip] to provide an accurate
valuation of the UK rail infrastructure prior to vesting.
This involved a data collection and data cleansing exercise
based on the legacy GEOGIS database The figures on numbers
of bridges, stations, miles of track etc. identified during
this project are still in use by Network Rail. This project
was followed up by the creation of a set of standards and
procedures for the use of GEOGIS to ensure that data quality
did not deteriorate again.
‘Project Rubicon’
carried out in 1996 to provide an accurate understanding
prior to [snip] flotation, of how the rail Performance
Regime would be operated. Essentially this involved ensuring
that all equipment used to locate and identify trains and
their times of arrival etc. was in a known location and
efficiently providing the necessary information to support
the process.
‘[snip] Action 5’
in 1996 involved the preparation of a response to a critical
report made by the [snip] on [snip] asset data management.
This involved extensive analysis of how relevant data was
stored managed and used by different engineering functions
in different Railtrack Zones, how asset information flowed
across organisational boundaries and how information on
different assets was configured.
‘Y2K’
from 1996 to 1999 involved an analysis of existing data
sources and quality within [snip], development of the
processes for managing the extraction of data from existing
sources (including any requirements for data collection),
identifying Y2K compliance or otherwise and provision of
remedial action or replacement. Following the process
development stage the assignment moved on to the management
of data on multiple instances of approx 7000 different
objects through the process to ensure Y2K compliance.
‘Strategic Rail Data’
in 1999 for [snip] involved the development of
requirements and a design for a centralised database of
railway data. This involved researching how data was used
across the multitude of companies and functions within
companies that existed at the time in the UK rail industry
and how data might be accessed, displayed in relation to GIS
systems, and updated in a controlled manner.
‘Bruce’
from 2000 to 2004 for [snip]. concerned the development of a
hand held device to be issued to train drivers that would
provide real time train positioning data by use of GPS
synchronised with the drivers’ schedules and diagrams and
allowing for dynamic fault reporting and reassignment of
drivers in the event of delays and other incidents to reduce
knock-on effects and provide more accurate information for
input to the Performance Regime. The work involved workshops
with train drivers, understanding of geofencing and GPS
effectiveness in various areas and the development of
training programmes and roll-out plans. The device was
trialled on the Connex network but not implemented due to
their loss of franchise. In addition this project involved
development of a proposal for the electronic roll out of
operating notices to drivers with dynamic positional alerts.
Other
shorter assignments in the industry have included:
·
researching and recommending the reorganisation of the Civil
Engineering team at [snip]
·
development of an interim cost control system for [snip]
Midlands Major Projects Division
·
extensive involvement in the development of requirements for
an integrated asset management system for [snip] including
membership of steering committees and advisory groups over a
period between 1995 and 1998
·
preparation and assessment of an ITT for the collection of
asset data for [snip] North West Zone
·
production of Hazard Directories for [snip] North West,
Great Western and Southern Zones geographically identifying
health and safety hazards and access routes for people
working on the railway
·
advising
[snip] Technologies in the USA on the intricacies of UK rail
geography, the differences between linear and fixed point
infrastructure asset data management and the infrastructure
asset information requirements of the UK rail industry prior
to their development of the [snip] 3i enterprise asset
management product
·
advising
the [snip] bid team on asset information management systems
for the [snip] refranchise bid.
·
reviewing [snip] GIS functional description for SIS and
advising on feasibility.
·
Developing recovery plan and introducing project controls
for [snip] Signals Asset Catalogue Project for collection of
data and population of Ellipse
The
majority of these assignments have involved working on a
cross functional, cross company basis with all levels of
staff from front line to director level requiring
understanding both of the ‘big picture’ and the relevant
detail that supports it.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
All of
the following involved the analysis,
development/re-engineering, and implementation of business
processes across the organisations involved through direct
interaction with all levels of staff and management.
·
Led a
major £3m asset base evaluation project for [snip],
delivered on time and £100k under budget.
·
Achieved
delivery of a high risk asset data control programme for
[snip] 3 months early and £5m under budget.
·
Successfully introduced formal project planning and document
control systems and methodologies at [snip], [snip] and
[snip] leading to more effective project planning, control,
monitoring and reporting processes.
·
Managed
a successful £42m VME software development programme at
[snip], delivering against moving annual targets.
·
Played a
pivotal role in developing quality and documentation
standards at [snip], leading to ISO9000 certification.
SKILLS
SUMMARY
·
Situation and problem analysis in complex and dynamic
environments to deliver business benefit.
·
Business
process development, re-engineering and change management
across multiple disciplines.
·
Development and implementation of effective operational
strategies to support corporate initiatives.
·
Expert
knowledge of high level business management techniques and
strategies.
·
Devising
and hosting interactive stakeholder workshops to facilitate
project delivery.
·
Creation
and application of project/programme planning and management
systems and processes.
·
Critical
understanding of need for and implementation of programme
assurance and control techniques
·
Fostering productive links between front line staff, high
level management and other stakeholders.
·
In-depth
knowledge of project and document control, conformance to
requirements and TQM principles
·
Creation
of training plans to support implementation of operational
and process change.
·
SME
business set up, development and management expertise
through the full lifecycle.
·
Business
planning, strategic marketing, and front line sales and
marketing experience.
·
Development and implementation of asset and information
management systems and processes.
·
Stakeholder, Contract and SLA negotiation and management
skills.
·
Recruiting, developing, mentoring and leading multi-skilled
cross-functional teams in a matrix environment.
·
Quality
control auditing , with detailed knowledge of EFQM, TQM and
ISO9000 standards.
·
Proficient user of MS Project, PRINCE2, MS Office,
PowerPoint and FrontPage
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Signals
Asset Catalogue Project Manager – [snip] (Oct – Dec 2006)
Developed recovery plan and introduced project controls for
at risk project for collection of signalling asset data and
population of [snip] Asset Catalogue.
Course
Author – Warwick Business School (May – Oct 2006)
Joint
Course Author of new 2007 Information Systems Strategy
module for Distance Learning MBA
Managing
Director/Principal Consultant [snip] 1993 - Present
Own
limited company providing: personal SME business consultancy
and Corporate interim management services; affiliate
marketing websites and network marketing operations; small
business development, marketing and internet services; plus
adult education and business school tutoring. Business Link
Registered. Member Greater Altrincham Chamber of Commerce
and Business Referral Exchange.
Distance
Learning Tutor - Warwick Business School (1993 - present)
Advises
MBA level students on Market Analysis, Marketing Strategy,
Organisational Behaviour, Information Management & Strategy,
New Enterprise Development and Project Management
Asset
Management Consultant - [snip]/[snip] (Jan 1999 – present)
Provided
business proposal and consultancy to [snip] and [snip] (USA)
for development of a railway asset management system (later
implemented by [snip] within the [snip] 3i system).
Travelled to the U.S. to advise on linear asset
configuration, UK rail geography and data management,
developing a database model and marketing plan for the new
system.
Advised
Office of Rail Regulator on improvement of asset data
monitoring processes.
Operations & Programme Control Consultant - [snip] (Nov 2002
– present)
Developed and implemented operational and roll-out
strategies and processes for a pioneering £10m rail
performance improvement project, involving innovative use of
GPS/GPRS technology.
Managing
programme controls and documentation to PRINCE2 standard and
participating in policy decisions as a member of the
management team.
Associate Lecturer – [snip] Cheshire (Jan – Mar 2006)
Teaching
Marketing Strategy to MSc and CIM (Chartered Inst. Of
Marketing) Students
Asset
Management Consultant – [snip] (May 2005 – Nov 2005)
Advisor
on implementation of Asset Information Management systems
for [snip] Franchise Bid
Adult
Education Tutor – [snip], Northwich (Jan-Jul 2005)
Teaching
adult students on a practically oriented business start up
course
Asset
Data Configuration Manager - [snip] plc ( Mar 1998 - Dec
1998)
Recruited, built, trained and managed a new Asset Data
Control Team of 16 staff, providing asset data gathering,
analysis and control across multiple company environment for
Y2K bug resolution.
Successfully identified all affected assets, delivering
project 3 months early and £5m under budget.
Advisory
board member for various other projects, providing
specialist asset data and process analysis expertise.
Process
Development Manager - [snip] plc (Jul 1997 - Feb 1998)
Identified and developed new process framework for analysis
of all railway assets, to mitigate Y2K risk.
Led
successful implementation of new processes across diverse
engineering disciplines.
Project
Manager (8 projects) - [snip] plc (Aug 1994 - Jun 1997)
Developed and implemented an interim cost control system for
the Major Projects Division.
Reviewed
and advised on rationalisation of management infrastructure
within [snip].
Led a
multi-skilled, cross-functional team in the research,
analysis and collation of the entire railway asset base.
Analysed
and documented key systems and processes within the
performance data collection framework.
Led
delivery of 3 paper based Hazard Directories, identifying
regional access points and trackside hazards.
Reviewed
data configuration controls and processes to meet [snip]
requirements, documenting actions required.
Project
Manager - [snip] (Jul 1993 - Jun 1994)
Researched, designed and implemented a comprehensive project
planning and management system for this architectural
practice, a key project enabling high level management
review of current projects.
Project
Manager - [snip] (Apr 1993 - Jul 1993)
Managed
the design, development and implementation of a marketing
database system for the company.
Senior
Programme Manager [snip] plc 1986 - 1993
Successfully delivered over 40 projects annually through
separate project teams, working in a mainframe environment.
Led a
£1m project to evaluate, identify, source and implement a
project planning system, set up a project office and
implement formal project planning methodologies across
multiple development programmes.
Managed
a multi million pound programme to develop VME mainframe
operating software providing measurable business benefits
from over 100 primary project list items meeting changing
customer requirements.
Introduced PC based project planning into a mainframe
development environment, co-ordinating all process planning,
capital budgeting and training requirements.
Led
divisional quality process development, documentation and
implementation to secure ISO9000 certification.
Managed
programme assurance, development phase reviews and product
introduction reviews
Created
and documented proposals for development of 'Microplanner
XPert' project control software, providing full user
training. Chairman, national Microplanner User Group.
Systems
Analyst [snip] 1984 - 1986
Worked
on the analysis, design, development and implementation of
key sales and market research systems, liaising with
business users at all levels. Used business analysis
techniques to conduct a comprehensive system review,
identifying key areas of improvement.
Various
Positions Own SME Operations from 1970
Set up
and managed own successful SME operations, including a
recreational scuba diving school ([snip] Scuba School
1984-1999) and a 150K turnover printing business ([snip]
1970-1983). Currently providing advice and facilitation to
startup businesses and SMEs through Business Link and Penman
Strategic and operating independent distributorship for
Utility Warehouse.
EDUCATION
MBA
Master of Business Administration - Warwick Business School
1992
Certificate in Systems Analysis – Bolton Institute of Higher
Education 1983
BSc
Bachelor of Science Degree (Life Sciences) - Liverpool
University 1968
Secondary Education – Trinity School, Croydon 1958-65
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
FRSA
Fellow of the Royal Society for the Arts, Commerce and
Manufactures
MIoD
Member of the Institute of Directors
AMBA
Member of the Association of MBAs
MAPM
Member of the Association for Project Management
AIMC
Associate of the Institute for Management Consultancy
PADI
Professional Association of Diving Instructors (Master Scuba
Diver Trainer)
INTERESTS
Scuba
Diving, Chairman of local Parish Council, Gardening,
Walking, Travel, Watching cricket and F1
PERSONAL
DETAILS
Nationality British Driving Licence Full UK Licence
Work
Location Available for UK work with global travel
References Available on request
