FROM 1963 until 1999
 (From 1999 to 2009 with Millennium Work and at Staffordshire University will be supplied later)

I have a very broad base of hybrid business and technical skills which I keep up-to-date by attending many Continuing Professional Development meetings organised by British Computer Society, Society for Computers and Law and other professional bodies.   This is particularly helpful in my preferred role as a "bridging" interface between IT department / supplier and end user but I can (and do) turn my hand to many other aspects of IT..

Since 1981, I have been operating in a (generally) freelance role advising businesses, both locally and nationally, about IT issues, concentrating on the identification of needs and selection of solutions.  (Feasibility Studies, Supplier Selection Exercises and Implementation Project Management).   Sometimes the projects have been short and part-time, in other cases, I have spent up to 9 months on one site providing support for special developments.

I also performed this role as an employee, when DBA Computer Consultants tried, in 1980’s, to set up a national network and also as part of the CWP II initiative funded for one year at Business Link (when I worked closely with David Hill of your Engineering School) and, less closely with your Computer Graphics team at Worldgate.

The role I performed at that time appears to have a number of parallels with your present vacancy.   I had to assist in the identification of suitable businesses and then try to briefly advise them on the correct solution for their needs.   This was somewhat constrained by the lack of time allowed for each client.   I resolved this by setting up a Breakfast Computer Club – an idea that was subsequently expanded by BL.   I also wrote a series of papers on Avoiding Millennium Mayhem which received national mention by DTI.   I later became a part-time lecturer for the Action 2000 Awareness programme.

Although often involved in negotiations with suppliers, I have always offered independent advice.   I do not supply hardware or software nor do I take commission or any other financial interest in the products I recommend to meet the client needs.   I have evaluated a wide variety of systems for businesses ranging from surveyors, bakers, solicitors up to ICI and TRL with many manufacturers in between.

I try to keep abreast of modern developments (although I usually try to avoid recommending the latest untried solutions in most cases) by attending (and organising) several BCS Professional Development activities in Specialist Groups, including those for Internet, Project Management and Law.   I am Treasurer of the recently formed BCS “Bridging” Business User IT Interface Group – which is very much concerned with liaison between suppliers (both internal and external) and end-users – see The Times of 28^th September 2000.

I have particularly good drill down skills in various areas (Unix, Informix, Accounts, Network trouble shooting, Word Processing etc) partly because I started off as a Programmer Analyst with ICLs predecessor to Baric Computing Bureau, where the needs of the end user were always immediately visible.

In early 1980’s, I did actually develop and sell a suite of programs for Housing Associations which sold in London and St Helen’s as well as locally.  I have also created my own commercial web site (www.acumenbooks.co.uk) in May 1998 which continues to receive a satisfactory number of hits and more recently set up a parallel site (www.acumenbooks.com) which takes credit cards online in several currencies (US, India, Australia etc).   

I write reports, user guides, minutes, newsletters etc in a style appropriate to the particular audience.   All generally avoiding jargon that would be unintelligible to the particular reader.   As a trainer, I am experienced both in speaking to audiences of 200+ and conducting small discussion groups.   I can relate well to all levels from Director, through technician to junior clerk.   I have written press articles and was a regular contributor to Radio Stoke’s business programmes until I undertook long contracts in London.

I have considerable experience of chairing meetings, ranging from project working groups at ICI to my voluntary activities as Rotary District Vocational Chairman and Training Board Chairman of The Association of Cricket Umpires and Scorers.   I held this position for 17 years, being re-elected annually by 20 people with whom I worked directly and have built from less than 100 to more than 470 instructors world-wide.   I have initiated and encouraged others to initiate many special projects.

I have trained and practised as an Expert Witness – acting in some 25 cases including giving Oral evidence twice.   I have also researched the market for grants for companies although that was in the early 1990’s and I am sure that the bodies and grants have changed but probably not the red tape!

Full details of my memberships and skills can be found at www.a-b.co.uk/pps