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New appointments

By TJ (March 2008 Issue)
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Lib Dem MP brings media skills training to the public sector

Liberal Democrat MP Mark Oaten will be passing on his experience of dealing with the media in his position as head of the new public sector division at the Aziz Corporation.

Oaten, who represents Winchester in the House of Commons, is leading a group that will provide media and presentation skills training and development to the health, local government and charitable sectors. He will draw on his experience of giving TV and radio interviews as a member of the Lib Dems’ leadership team, as well as his knowledge of public sector issues.

The Aziz Corporation is expanding from the private into the public and not-for-profit sectors after receiving an “increasing number of approaches” from organisations.

Oaten said: “Whether you are running a hospital, local authority, police force or charity, the pressure to explain your work and respond to the media has never been greater than it is today.”

Professor Khalid Aziz, chairman of the Aziz Corporation, added: “I have got to know Mark as our local MP and have been impressed with his ability to deal with both the highs and the lows of the media pressure he has experienced.

“In many respects, the media and presentation skills required of public sector leaders are the same as those we have taught to many business leaders. However, the media spotlight on the public sector raises additional complications.”

Independent consultant takes over at the eLN helm

The eLearning Network (eLN) of elearning users and developers has appointed Clive Shepherd (pictured) as its new chairman.

The association has also appointed Neil Lasher as Shepherd’s deputy.

Shepherd is an independent consultant, specialising in applying technology to learning and communications at work. He has an MA in management learning from Lancaster University, is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and the Institute of IT Training, and is a member of the Chartered Management Institute.

In 2003, he received the Colin Corder Award for services to IT training and the following year, he was awarded at the World of Learning conference for his outstanding contribution to the training industry.

Outgoing eLearning Network chairman Phil Green said: “With more than 25 years of experience, Clive is acknowledged as a leading figure in the UK in technology-assisted and blended learning. The eLN is honoured to have him as its new chair.”

Shepherd added: “I’m proud to be given the chance to help steer the eLearning Network through an exciting period of growth and change.

“E-learning is growing rapidly, not only in its uptake but also in the breadth of opportunities that it provides. It’s our aim to bring together all those working in e-learning to collaborate in exploiting these opportunities and, as a result, provide benefits to employers and employees throughout the UK.”

Lasher runs e-learning provider Trainer1 and has nearly 30 years’ experience in IT and learning. He said: “Having worked as an eLN committee member for the last few years with some of the finest people this industry have had to offer, I am excited by the opportunity to work now as vice-chairman with Clive Shepherd and a committee of enthusiastic experts.

“Together, this year, we hope to be able to steer the eLN into a new area of growth and create a network that will become an essential port of call for anyone who uses technology for learning.”

Formed originally as The Association for Computer-based Training (TACT). The eLearning Network celebrated its 20th anniversary last year.

Cobent Group appoints new sales VP in the USA

Oxfordshire-based compliance software vendor Cobent Group has appointed Erik Smith as its new senior VP of sales in the USA.

He will be responsible for developing and maintaining strategic software alliances, as well as driving direct and channel sales in the United States.

Smith, who is based in California, has more than 15 years’ experience in channel sales and sales management. His focus in recent years has been on the life science sector, helping pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device organisations establish e-learning programmes.

Howard Sears, CEO of Cobent Group, said: “We’re delighted that Erik has joined Cobent. In focusing his efforts across multiple market segments, he is continuing to elevate Cobent’s position as a leader in learning and compliance management solutions within the life science community.”

New Fellows provide “an intellectually formidable source of thought leadership”

Fourteen thought leaders from the UK and abroad have joined the National School of Government’s Sunningdale Institute as Fellows.

The new intake is the first since the Institute’s inception in 2005 and brings the number of Fellows to 43.

Fresh expertise in human resources is provided by David Fairhurst (McDonalds) and Tony McCarthy (BA), while Professor Gerry Johnson (Lancaster University Management School) adds to the Institute’s knowledge of strategy. Trust and good governance is boosted by the arrival of Dr Kevin Money (Henley Management College) and Professor Robin Wensley (Warwick University Business School).

Sir Michael Bichard KCB (University of the Arts), Alice Brown (Public Services Ombudsman, Scotland), Allan Fels (Australia and New Zealand School of Government), Professor Christopher Hood (University of Oxford) and former permanent secretary Sir Ian Magee (St Albans Consulting Group) increase the Institute’s pool of wider public service leadership experience.

The government’s focus on the importance of innovation and the third sector in public service delivery sees the appointment of Lord Victor Adebowale (Turning Point), Kristina Murrin (?What if!) and Geoff Mulgan (Young Foundation).

The world of social science is represented by Professor Teresa Rees (Cardiff University).

Cabinet secretary Sir Gus O’Donnell, who is also president of the Sunningdale Institute, said: “Along with current members, the new tranche of Fellows represents an intellectually formidable source of thought leadership on management, organisational health and governance, and brings to the civil service the ‘practical wisdom’ that is the hallmark of the Sunningdale Institute.

“Being positioned on the threshold between government and the world outside, the Institute is able to work on projects where we need both sensitive handling and robust, evidence-based challenge.

Jones does the business at LINE Communications

Former BBC executive Gareth Jones has been appointed as lead consultant at LINE Communications, with responsibility for helping clients deliver business-focused results on their learning strategies.

The former head of strategy and operations at BBC Training and Development, Jones has more than 15 years’ experience of working in public and private sector organisations. He and his team at the BBC won a number of national and international awards, including accolades for Europe’s most admired knowledge enterprises, best corporate intranet in the UK and best transformation of a HR function using IT.

He has worked with LINE as a learning consultant since 2006, working on projects for the British Standards Institute, the Home Office, Jaguar Land Rover and the Chartered Management Institute.

A LINE Communications spokesman said: “Gareth will continue his work focusing on the development and implementation of new approaches to learning to improve organisational efficiencies and competitiveness.”

Experienced e-learning manager joins Kineo

“One of the most experienced e-learning managers around in the industry today” has joined rapid e-learning provider Kineo.

Nick Reed’s appointment as director of operations follows a period of growth for Kineo during 2007 and further plans for expansion this year.

He joins the company from Capita, where he was head of the blended learning development team. He has also been senior training analyst at Lloyds TSB and a project leader at Epic.

Reed said: “I am thrilled to be joining Kineo. I really admire the team there and what they have been able to achieve in such a short space of time. I am very excited to be joining such a professional and dynamic organisation, and am looking forward to being part of the growth of the business.”

Kineo managing partner Steve Rayson added: “I am delighted to have someone of Nick’s experience and capability on board. I am very confident that he will add value to our existing team and support our growth going forward.

“Our expansion plans for 2008 require a top level operations director and we have that in Nick. He is one of the most experienced e-learning managers around in the industry today.”

Ex-soldier Davies takes command of telecommunications training

Spectra Telecom, which provides commercial telecommunications training for ex-military personnel, has appointed Paul Davies as training director.

Former soldier Davies will be responsible for developing the range of training courses offered by Spectra, to ensure they meet the demand for specialists with the latest technology skills and to maximise usage of the company’s new purpose-built training centre in Herefordshire.

He has more than 25 years’ experience of the telecommunications and training markets. A former member of the Royal Signals regiment, where he trained soldiers to deploy and operate satellite-based communication systems, he has worked for mobile network provider 3 and as a telecommunications consultant for security companies around the world.

Spectra’s resettlement courses are designed for ex-military radio operators with experience of combat net radio and of working in military operations centres. They provide knowledge of the communications equipment used by security companies and the skills needed to manage the communication strategies of security, government
and aid organisations.

MD Simon Davies said: “Paul’s operational and training experience, and his proven track record of managing complex projects, will play an important role in consolidating Spectra’s position as the leading supplier of telecommunications-based resettlement courses.”

Nuclear skills director to “address key skills challenges”

Clive Smith OBE has joined Cogent as skills director for the nuclear industry.

Smith, a chartered engineer with more than 30 years’ experience in the nuclear industry, said: “I am delighted to have been offered this position at such an exciting time for the nuclear industry. Many of the teams at current plants have the need to re-skill, and the prospect of new build adds additional impetus to ensure that our sector is capable of meeting those demands.”

Joanna Wolf, CEO of Cogent, the sector skills council for the chemical, pharmaceutical, oil and gas, nuclear, petroleum and polymer industries, added: “Clive will support Cogent’s work with the industry to help employers address key skills and recruitment challenges.

“We are delighted to welcome Clive, who brings with him a vast experience in the nuclear industry, including a deep understanding of the people development issues central to the success of this strategically important industry.”

Smith began as an apprentice control engineer in the Royal Navy and rose to become head of the Ministry of Defence’s nuclear skills team. He has also been chief engineer of operational nuclear plants and nuclear safety regulator, as well as holding various appointments within the navy, MoD, Department of Trade and Industry, and in commercial training companies.

He has worked with the Sector Skills Development Agency and represents the nuclear industry on a range of skills advisory groups. He is also a member of Cogent’s national occupational standards steering group, which aims to develop engineering standards across a number of NVQs.

New SSC CEO pledges to put employer engagement at the heart of her work

“I am determined that retailers are at the heart of our work to drive up skills.” That’s the pledge of the new chief executive officer of Skillsmart Retail, Anne Seaman, whose aim will be to focus on engaging more employers to work alongside the sector skills council as it prepares for re-licensing next year.

Seaman has been promoted to CEO from chief operating officer, a move that was confirmed by Skillsmart Retail chairman Martin Beaumont. He said: “We are delighted to confirm Anne’s appointment as chief executive.

“Skillsmart Retail has made significant progress over the past 12 months and we expect further improvement under Anne’s continued leadership.”

Seaman added: “I am pleased to be offered this new role and am looking forward to taking on the challenges that it will bring.

“I am determined that retailers are at the heart of our work to drive up the skills level of people working in retail and, as CEO, that will be my primary objective.”

She joined Skillsmart Retail in 2004 and became COO two years later. She has also been director of enterprise and innovation at Anglia Polytechnic University (now Anglia Ruskin University), where she initiated the development of a distance-learning, work-based foundation degree in logistics and was responsible for setting up the Academy of Logistics and Transport and a new technology institute in Thames Gateway.

She has also worked in retail, setting up a small chain of three shops with her partner.

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