Curriculum vitae
Personal Details
ADDRESS: 24 Molivers Lane, Bromham, Bedford, MK43 8JT
PLACE OF BIRTH: Bedford
NATIONALITY: British
MARITAL STATUS: Married
DRIVING LICENCE: Full Driving Licence held
Profile
I enjoyed a long and successful career with Bedford Borough Council, culminating in the position of Director of Finance & Corporate Services, managing a significant budget for the Unitary Council. My local government career commenced on 1 September 1975 and, after almost 39 years with the Council, I retired on 31 March 2014. My career required a resilient, adaptable and strategic leader of public services and the various positions held required me to be trusted by peers and colleagues in all Departments. I always adopt a corporate approach and this has been respected by colleagues; this trust and respect has enabled me to respond positively to challenges and to consistently deliver successful services and value for money.
I have also been a Parish Councillor with Bromham Parish Council for over 10 years and am Chairperson of the Finance and General Purpose Sub-Committee. I possess a range of skills and the confidence to respond to challenges.
Employment History
I currently undertake limited regeneration consultancy, which involves liaison with stakeholders on realising potential development opportunities.
Professional Qualifications
· Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy (CIPFA) – 1982
· Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) – 1978
Key Skills
· Displayed high personal integrity and ability to develop trust with Members, Chief Officers, senior managers, external partners and Parish Councillors.
· Demonstrated confident and persuasive team building skills and ability to motivate, communicate with and influence internal and external stakeholders.
· Proven success and achievement in leading, managing and motivating finance teams and advising Members and senior managers on Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategies.
· Played a major role in developing, implementing and maintaining the budgetary and accounting frameworks.
· Lead role in developing and maintaining a robust budget process at Bedford Borough Council enabling it to deliver significant savings without impacting on Council services and without increasing Council Tax.
· Confidence gained from contributing effectively to the corporate management of the Borough Council as a key member of the senior management team.
· My career has given me experience in assimilating large amounts of information quickly and forming a balanced view about it, enabling me to advise others as appropriate.
· The ability to respond to challenges in a flexible, adaptable, dynamic and yet diplomatic manner.
· My career has necessitated regular contact and communication with all levels of staff, Councillors, members of the public and other bodies.
· The ability to respond to differing personalities, and different situations and, in doing so, the benefits of humour and time for tact, diplomacy and compromise have been essential.
· Responding, as a member of Bromham Parish Council, to the needs of the community in Bromham and maintaining sound financial arrangements.
Key Achievements
· CIPFA Qualified Accountant since 1982 and active participant in the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) scheme.
· Approaching 39 years Local Government experience, including the Statutory Section 151 Officer role with the Unitary Council since December 2009 with responsibility for a gross revenue expenditure of over £350 million and a significant capital investment programme.
· Accountability for producing Statutory Accounts, leading on Budget Development and Capital Investment Planning, supporting the Medium Term Financial Strategy and day to day management of professional finance and exchequer activities, including the designated Fund Administrator for the Local Government Pension Scheme.
· Responsible for the Council’s land and property portfolio and represented the Council in a wide range of projects, including significant regeneration projects in Bedford town centre, engaging with a variety of external stakeholders with commercial, political and social interests.
· Served ten years as a Parish Councillor on Bromham Parish Council.
Concluding Remarks
I enjoyed a long and successful career in local government and maintain a key interest in public administration. I am familiar with the key aspects of local government administration and the main concepts of public finance. I regard myself as a person with drive, enthusiasm and confidence and am approachable and of good humour. I have considerable involvement with people from all walks of life from the working environment and also from social involvement. I am used to working under pressure and respond to a challenge. I have a positive commitment to getting jobs done and, above all, maintain high professional standards. As a qualified Accountant, I have a sound appreciation of financial management and this includes knowledge of budgetary preparation and control, forward planning, programme monitoring and auditing.
Formerly as Operational Director (Regeneration & Economic Growth), I was responsible for the Borough Council's land and property portfolio and for representing the Council in a wide range of projects, including significant regeneration projects in Bedford town centre, engaging with a variety of external stakeholders to develop and deliver a range of exciting projects.
ADDRESS: 24 Molivers Lane, Bromham, Bedford, MK43 8JT
PLACE OF BIRTH: Bedford
NATIONALITY: British
MARITAL STATUS: Married
DRIVING LICENCE: Full Driving Licence held
Profile
I enjoyed a long and successful career with Bedford Borough Council, culminating in the position of Director of Finance & Corporate Services, managing a significant budget for the Unitary Council. My local government career commenced on 1 September 1975 and, after almost 39 years with the Council, I retired on 31 March 2014. My career required a resilient, adaptable and strategic leader of public services and the various positions held required me to be trusted by peers and colleagues in all Departments. I always adopt a corporate approach and this has been respected by colleagues; this trust and respect has enabled me to respond positively to challenges and to consistently deliver successful services and value for money.
I have also been a Parish Councillor with Bromham Parish Council for over 10 years and am Chairperson of the Finance and General Purpose Sub-Committee. I possess a range of skills and the confidence to respond to challenges.
Employment History
- September 1975 – appointed to North Bedfordshire Borough Council as a Trainee Accounting Technician.
- November 1982 – Senior Technical Assistant with Bedford Borough Council following the successful completion of the CIPFA Accountancy qualification.
- June 1983 – Group Auditor.
- December 1985 – Management Auditor.
- February 1989 – Principal Registration Officer (responsible for implementation of Community Charge).
- January 1990 – Assistant Director of Finance (Audit and Support Services).
- April 1997 – Deputy Director of Finance.
- January 2002 – Head of Economic Development & Corporate Support.
- April 2004 – Head of Economic Development & Regeneration.
- April 2009 – Operational Director (Regeneration & Economic Growth).
- December 2009 – Director of Finance & Corporate Services.
I currently undertake limited regeneration consultancy, which involves liaison with stakeholders on realising potential development opportunities.
Professional Qualifications
· Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy (CIPFA) – 1982
· Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) – 1978
Key Skills
· Displayed high personal integrity and ability to develop trust with Members, Chief Officers, senior managers, external partners and Parish Councillors.
· Demonstrated confident and persuasive team building skills and ability to motivate, communicate with and influence internal and external stakeholders.
· Proven success and achievement in leading, managing and motivating finance teams and advising Members and senior managers on Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategies.
· Played a major role in developing, implementing and maintaining the budgetary and accounting frameworks.
· Lead role in developing and maintaining a robust budget process at Bedford Borough Council enabling it to deliver significant savings without impacting on Council services and without increasing Council Tax.
· Confidence gained from contributing effectively to the corporate management of the Borough Council as a key member of the senior management team.
· My career has given me experience in assimilating large amounts of information quickly and forming a balanced view about it, enabling me to advise others as appropriate.
· The ability to respond to challenges in a flexible, adaptable, dynamic and yet diplomatic manner.
· My career has necessitated regular contact and communication with all levels of staff, Councillors, members of the public and other bodies.
· The ability to respond to differing personalities, and different situations and, in doing so, the benefits of humour and time for tact, diplomacy and compromise have been essential.
· Responding, as a member of Bromham Parish Council, to the needs of the community in Bromham and maintaining sound financial arrangements.
Key Achievements
· CIPFA Qualified Accountant since 1982 and active participant in the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) scheme.
· Approaching 39 years Local Government experience, including the Statutory Section 151 Officer role with the Unitary Council since December 2009 with responsibility for a gross revenue expenditure of over £350 million and a significant capital investment programme.
· Accountability for producing Statutory Accounts, leading on Budget Development and Capital Investment Planning, supporting the Medium Term Financial Strategy and day to day management of professional finance and exchequer activities, including the designated Fund Administrator for the Local Government Pension Scheme.
· Responsible for the Council’s land and property portfolio and represented the Council in a wide range of projects, including significant regeneration projects in Bedford town centre, engaging with a variety of external stakeholders with commercial, political and social interests.
· Served ten years as a Parish Councillor on Bromham Parish Council.
Concluding Remarks
I enjoyed a long and successful career in local government and maintain a key interest in public administration. I am familiar with the key aspects of local government administration and the main concepts of public finance. I regard myself as a person with drive, enthusiasm and confidence and am approachable and of good humour. I have considerable involvement with people from all walks of life from the working environment and also from social involvement. I am used to working under pressure and respond to a challenge. I have a positive commitment to getting jobs done and, above all, maintain high professional standards. As a qualified Accountant, I have a sound appreciation of financial management and this includes knowledge of budgetary preparation and control, forward planning, programme monitoring and auditing.
Formerly as Operational Director (Regeneration & Economic Growth), I was responsible for the Borough Council's land and property portfolio and for representing the Council in a wide range of projects, including significant regeneration projects in Bedford town centre, engaging with a variety of external stakeholders to develop and deliver a range of exciting projects.