I am successful pragmatic engineer with proven ability to overcome technical hurdles and achieve/ exceed targets. I lead by example and enjoy great support from the Engineering team. I gain satisfaction from, and am outstanding at problem solving, and seldom accept less than total success. An indication of this is the recent completion of an MSc to high standard in less than a year while continuing to fulfil the expectations of a demanding job.

MSc. 2006/7 The University of Bolton. Computer Aided Product Development

BSc (Hons 2:1) 1977/80 Silsoe College, Cranfield (Part of The Cranfield institute of Technology) Agricultural Engineering, Specialising in Design, Production and Management

Employment Experience

1997 to Date Chief Engineer: Woodall Nicholson, Westhoughton, Bolton.

I enjoy a senior position within the company as one of the Managers/ Directors with control of the Woodall Nicholson Group. This responsibility encompasses all products manufactured by Woodall Nicholson including Coleman Milne Limousines, Hearses and Emergency Vehicles, Mellor Vancraft minibuses and Mellor Coach-built vehicles.

Key Achievements

· I have facilitated the doubling of production of special vehicle products and substantial increase in output of Coach-built buses and other products over a period of less than five years.

· Enabled a Substantial widening of the range of products offered

· Reduced labour to 50% of the former value on core-product Hearses and Limousines.

· Improved tooling design and manufacturing techniques

· Increased quality & consistency of build

· Managed the introduction of a new range of funeral vehicles

Proven Competencies

· Project Management - attainment of deadlines and targets while overcoming significant technical problems.

· Technical Competence

· Business Acumen

· Knowledge of Legislation

· Clear and Decisive under pressure.

· Open and Responsive to change

· Ability to Communicate at all levels.

Range of Responsibility

· Project Management.

· Design.

· Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, BIW, Composites and Trim).

· Type Approval and Homologation.

· Liaison with major manufacturers (suppliers and customers) and other external agencies.

· Material specification and control inc. Bill of materials generation and control.

· Production Engineering, Tooling, and Methodology.

· Testing and "Sign Off" (for legality, product liability, and product quality).

· Time Study and labour control (standard times and BOL's)

· Technical and after-sales support

· Quotations and estimates

· Value engineering.

· Quality, including the implementation of ISI 9001-2000

· Support Production of specialist vehicles to generate in excess of £20 million sales PA

· Generate and maintain status as approved supplier/converter to the major vehicle manufacturers.

· Control the annual engineering department budget in the order of £500k (excluding salaries) which subject to Board approval can be significantly exceeded for specified projects

· Plan, oversee, and control concurrent projects running on the two manufacturing sites.

Previous work experience

1989/96Design Engineer;Coleman Milne

A leading member of a small team working on Limousines and Hearses, I naturally took the lead in the development of Electrical Systems, Heating and Climate Control, Braking, Suspension, Interiors/ Trim and Type Approval Testing. I was also involved in Body Design and Composites. Key achievements included reducing electrical installation times to 30% of previously accepted hours whilst simultaneously almost eliminating previous high rate of warranty on electrical systems. Instigating and applying the first UK Low Volume Type Approval for cars.

1984/89 Design Engineer;Hestair Duple, Vicarage Lane, Blackpool

Initially I conducted project work including Vehicle Aerodynamics, Heating Ventilation and Cooling and a new range of Seating used across the product range. Later I was responsible for specific departments, Electrical Design, and Chassis Engineering. I also controlled and conducted test work necessary for its acceptance by UK and European Authorities.

1980/84 Test Engineer; Leyland Vehicles Ltd., Lancaster House, Leyland, Preston.

Graduate induction and training, Commissioning and evaluation of Major test plant prior to sign off.

Later Test Engineer in Electro-Hydraulic Test where I developed the use of computer drive signal generation and processing.

Key aspects of the recently completed MSc in Computer Aided Product Development.

Finite Element Analysis, 3D Design using Solid works and Pro-Engineer Wildfire II. Graphic& animation using 3D Studio Max. In-depth knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Project and PowerPoint.

Topics covered in the projects chosen included

· Market research, design and manufacture for a novel sporting product,

· Inclusive design, data transfer and communication for the whole community,

· The history development and projections for nuclear power, fuel cell development, the Hydrogen Economy, Alternative Fuels and Renewable Energy.

· Dissertation was "Investigation into the design and analysis of Accessible Bus Seat Tracking" This involved analysis and investigation by computer simulation and manual calculation of the forces and stresses in a tracking system used to mount and secure seats, wheelchairs and wheelchair passengers in a flexible arrangement in a bus. An improved design was developed which included composite /sandwich materials as well as aluminium extrusions.