About Me
So this is where I get to tell you a little bit about myself…
As you’ve probably guessed if you’ve read any of the posts on this blog, I live, breathe and work IT. I’m a qualified IT Training Consultant with nearly 25 years of experience in designing and delivering training courses.
My expertise covers a wide range of subjects but these days I prefer to focus on technical subjects such as VBA programming, database development and Microsoft Office (especially Excel – I’m a self-confessed Excel geek!).
You’ve heard the phrase “those who can, do and those who can’t, teach”. Well I’m the exception to that rule. As well as “talking the talk”, I “walk the walk” – I’m an experienced developer, specialising in Microsoft Office and database-driven website technologies. I’ve built some pretty impressive and complex systems, all designed to increase productivity, reduce repetition and save time. My biggest and most challenging project, an enterprise-level course booking system, is still in use today, being used by the team that I currently work for.
Over the years, I’ve worked for several training companies, both small and large, a tech startup (back in the dotcom boom days), one of the largest UK Police Forces (as an IT Trainer, not an Officer, although I did experience life in the Custody Suites when I provided technical support) and a large multinational company.
Since 2007 I’ve worked for a training team at a large Pharmaceutical company where, as Technical Lead, my responsibilities include creating and delivering IT courses and 1:1 coaching and developing custom MS Office-based solutions.
I’m one of those rare breed of IT professionals in that I’m vastly experienced in both the Windows and Apple platforms (Mac OSX and iPhone/iPad). Until 2006 I’d worked exclusively with DOS and Windows-based applications, however in that year I purchased my first Apple product – a 20″ Intel iMac. Since then I’ve bought a MacBook Pro, a couple of iPhones and a couple of iPads.
Along with Elaine Giles, I’m a co-host on MacBites, a podcast where we take an irreverant look at all things Apple-related. I can also be found delivering webinars and acting as Technical Assistant to Elaine over at MacBites Learning.
Away from the tech, I’m a Manchester United supporter. I have a season ticket but I haven’t been to a match since 2007 (nothing to do with the Glazer takeover and everything to do with not wanting to live my life around ever-changing kick-off times). I run a website dedicated to the victims of the 1958 Munich air crash in which 23 people including 8 United players, died. You can find the site at http://munich58.co.uk.