Let me start by saying that I am from Huddersfield, so a Yorkshire man through and through. My background would not normally be associated with AAC. I worked in Industrial and Operations Management for several well-known multinational companies at senior management and board level. In these roles I have been responsible for consumer goods businesses making and developing products ranging from toiletries, pharmaceuticals, footwear, toothbrushes, razors and wine. In these roles I have worked in the UK and overseas, Including the US, Czech Republic, Ireland, Israel and France.
I went to the University of Huddersfield and, along with several professional qualifications in Business Management, I have a both a Business Studies degree and a Master’s in Business Administration. In addition, I have also been a Senior Fellow at Cambridge University working on business and process improvement studies.
So, as you can see, not obviously AAC related. However I first came into contact with Ace Centre back in 1998. At this time, Ace were helping my disabled daughter to develop her communication and technology skills. As a parent of a disabled child, I am very aware of the types of challenges that parents face, and it is this overall background that I bring to the Ace Centre.
I joined the Ace Centre in Autumn 2014 as part of the team when the Ace Centre was selected to deliver the NHS contract. My function is to ensure that the management of the IT, referrals, administration and equipment supports our client’s needs and meets our service commitment to the NHS.
Outside of the Ace Centre, my interests are anything to do with food and cooking as well as an interest in vehicles and motor sport (including once building a kit car because it seemed like a good idea at the time!).