Academic Qualifications
BSc (Hons)
Diploma in Computing
Postgraduate Diploma in Management Studies (DMS)
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
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Professional Qualifications
CIPS - The Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply
Level 4: Diploma in Procurement & Supply
Level 5: Advanced Diploma in Procurement & Supply
Level 6: Professional Diploma in Procurement & Supply
The Chartered Management Institute
Level 8: Diploma in Strategic Direction and Leadership
Association for Project Management
Project Management Fundamentals
Axelos
ITIL 4 Foundation
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Professional Memberships
MCIPS - Member of the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply
FCMI - Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute
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Biography
I started my post education career at Philips Components, Washington. After serving and completing my Engineering Industry Training Board (EITB) apprenticeship, I started work as an Electrical and Electronic Maintenance Engineer. During this time, I achieved both my B-Tec Ordinary National Certificate (ONC) in Electrical Engineering, and Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Electronic Engineering. Although enjoying the job, I decided that working in a factory was not for me long-term. I had already started studying for a degree part-time, and the factory environment and hours were not conducive with study at that level, so I decided it was time to move on.
It was at this time that my love for working in the Higher Education sector began when I moved to the University of Newcastle upon Tyne to work as a Computing Technician. This was one of the happiest times of my working career, with the highlight being teaching computer logic to undergraduate students as part of my duties as a Demonstrator in practical workshops. The environment was perfect for study, and during this time I attained my BSc degree, Diploma in Computing. I spent seven happy years there before needing to leave for reasons in my personal life - my wife had taken a job in Northampton, so we needed to relocate to the Midlands.
My next job was working for the then University College Northampton - now Northampton University - as their Research Centre IT Advisor. Northampton is one of the post-1992 universities, and at the time was still working towards getting its Royal Charter and becoming a full University. They had undergraduate degree awarding powers, but hadn't yet achieved the requirements to be able to award post-graduate degrees. To attain this, they had to tutor 100 students through to receiving a PhD by Research, and I was brought in to assist the students with their IT and computer needs. After two years, and helping the College well on its way to the target of 100 PhDs, I again decided it was time to move on.
My next move was to the University of Huddersfield where I worked as an internal IT Consultant mainly liaising with and providing advice for the School of Human & Health Studies, and the Human Resources Department. I was in this role for eleven years before a departmental restructure resulted in the Consultancy Team being disbanded, and I had to make another big career choice.
I had the chance to stay working in IT and move to a more support role within the University, but at the same time the role of IT Procurement Team Leader and Contract Manager became available. This meant quite a change; retraining into an area I had never worked in plus studying for a whole new set of qualifications. It was a challenge I relished, so I applied and was appointed to the job. During the ten years I was in the job, I radically transformed the IT Procurement function, as well as passing my DMS and MBA, becoming a fellow of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). During this time I also started my journey to becoming a member of the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) by completing Levels 4 and 5 (Diploma and Advanced Diploma in Procurement and Supply) of their qualifications.
Following another department restructure, I passed leading the team on to a colleague and concentrated on the strategic side of the role to become the IT Category Manager for the University. By this time however, the pull to return to my native North East of England became stronger, so once again my thoughts turned to moving on, and this time to heading back home.
So, I am currently working for Durham University as a Category Manager within the Procurement Team, part of the Finance and Procurement Service. My main interests still lie in the procurement of IT, AV and telecoms, however I get the pleasure of also assisting colleagues in other categories and using my skills in a broader field. I also completed the Level 6 (Professional Diploma in Procurement and Supply) CIPS qualification to achieve my full MCIPS memebership.
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