Professional Experience:
After taking a FMCG enterprise from start-up through growth to sale I embarked on a career in international development via Britain's leading MSME promotion agency (PNE, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK). Responsible for transferring innovative business development services established in the UK to international environments, I facilitated the delivery of 'best practice' sustainable services that include support for youth enterprise (Shell LiveWIRE), business information services (Cobra), trade promotion and business incubation facilities.
Since becoming an independent consultant I have held posts as a Key Expert in complex multi-strand agri-business, SME and trade promotion Cross Border Cooperation projects funded by the EU in Ukraine and Moldova. Project assignments have resulted in the delivery of a wide range of commercially oriented MSME promotion services/facilities that have been acknowledged as ‘best practices’ within the sector (business development centres/incubators/workspace and start-ups).
I led the PSD component of the DFID Governorates Capacity Building Programme in southern Iraq between 2004 and 2007, delivering a range of piloted business development services that were incorporated into Government of Iraq level development strategies and plans. In 2008 I returned to Iraq to support the government’s Private Sector Development Plan, remaining in country working at a community level for UNDP and IOM in Anbar, Baghdad, Erbil and Basra. More recently I completed an assignment to support SOE restructuring in the construction and chemicals sectors. Until the recent rise in sectarian violence and political instability I expected to return to Iraq to support the SOE restructuring programme and plans for the diversification of the economy.
I have delivered capacity building initiatives to organisations, groups and individuals and identified training needs and created innovative training materials and commercial sponsored approaches to provide training to support a variety of change processes in public and private sector bodies (e.g. ÉletPÁLYA - Hungary, TES Consult/Park - Ukraine, Pershiy Krok – Ukraine, CSBU – Moldova, Basra BIC – Iraq).
I have contributed to conferences and publications on the subject of Private Sector Development, economic regeneration and enterprise promotion.
Most of my professional work has been conducted on the basis of long-term assignments, with many of the latter comprising ‘turn-around’ tasks or high-risk projects in post-conflict, fragile or transitionary environments.
My professional track-record is characterised by a high level of commitment, and an energetic and innovative approach to problem solving. I like to think that my commitment to delivering a quality service to clients, stakeholders, counterparts and beneficiaries is recognised as substantial and underpinned by a solid ethical foundation.