Graham Grover

CAREER SUMMARY

April 2008-date: Independent Business Consultant

• Currently commissioned to Local Economy and Learning Partnership to develop a draft business plan to take the concept of a Science and Innovation Campus through to reality.
• Developed a relationship management strategy for The Open University (OU) to optimise its links with, and effectively engage employers, Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) and Regional Agencies in order to identify and take advantage of the best opportunities available for the university to increase its share of provision of high-quality university education. This strategy will inform the future development of a wider ranging Engagement Strategy which will involve significant organisational change.

2006-March 2008: Higher Skills Development Manager, Co-funded post with South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), GOSE and fDf

• Accountable for the development and co-ordination of a number of key stakeholder initiatives designed to enhance relevant industry and business skills
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  Leading on and influencing strategy to ensure the delivery of skills and employability targets, with particular emphasis on Education-led Regeneration
• Primarily focused on development of Higher Education, including progression, Employer Engagement and the STEM skills
• Facilitating the ongoing delivery and budget control of a number of high value projects in excess of £1million
• Conducting comprehensive business planning in order to assess project scope and viability prior to the release of funding
• Utilising a comprehensive understanding of university infrastructures to build mutually beneficial relationships with HE providers throughout the entire South East region, including Buckinghamshire
• GOSE lead on HE and support role on 14-19 Agenda

Key achievements/contributions

• SEEDA representative on both the National CPD and HESE Employer Engagement Steering Groups, tasked with supporting HE institutions in the development of employer engagement initiatives relating to workforce development. Member of several stakeholder and steering groups including University Centre Milton Keynes and University Centre Aylesbury Vale
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  Programme lead for five Regional Resource Centres, all ESF funded but working towards self-finance via the optimisation of priorities to ensure the delivery of strategic aims whilst also attaining financial viability through the maximisation of market share
• Heading development programmes for specialist technical skills to ensure industry compliance
• Leading the Regional Skills for Productivity Alliance HE Task Group, created to focus activities around higher level skills shortages
• Playing a pivotal role on the STEM Support Board, integral to the delivery of a number of initiatives to encourage younger persons buy in and enhance institution/educator capabilities
• Contributing to a number of task groups focused on the development of mixed provision learning sites in support of localised economic regeneration
• Working alongside GOSE and RSPA 14-19 Task Group to define and implement progression strategies to enable succession from Specialised Diplomas to Higher Education

2003-2005: CEO, ATB Media Concepts

• Providing strong leadership and direction to a team of four executive managers to ensure all efficiency and profit objectives were achieved and exceeded
• Facilitating the initial set up and subsequent management of a Learning Centre, driving forward centre growth through the definition and implementation of strategies, policies and programmes in accordance with global development objectives
• Undertaking full accountability for the operational and financial performance of the Company involving ownership of all profit and loss, resource and budget management functions
• Focused on the identification and development of new business opportunities and the expansion of the Company to incorporate skills development and education initiatives
• Driving force behind the implementation of a new Quality Management System incorporating Customer Relationship Management, learner monitoring and reporting processes and procedures, directly resulting in enhanced company performance and the securing of additional funding

Key achievements/contributions

• Securing additional funding through the delivery of a winning proposal to the Sector Skills Council
• Heading a multi-disciplinary team during the implementation of a vocational training initiative for 150 unemployed learners, involving accountability for sourcing and overseeing the delivery of training across 18 sites incorporating e-learning and learner monitoring systems
• Enabling 2,000 youth entrepreneurs to utilise business support packages such as CPD learning, business plan creation and financing via the creation and marketing of a business support scheme, undertaking a joint venture agreement with two other companies to share risk and provide support
• Representative for FEDUSA, formulating policies centred around trade union participation in the National Skills Development Strategy
• Establishing workshops on behalf of the National Skills Authority, attended by all constituencies to enable all respective inputs to be utilised in the generation of the South African government’s 2005-2010 skills strategy

2001-2003: Senior Consultant, European Commission

• Undertaking a senior role within the Programme Management team, tasked with developing and implementing a National Skills Development Strategy in South Africa and subsequently training the SA’s Department of Labour to manage the programme following its handover
• Personally responsible for all aspects of project definition, management and appraisal involving accountability for staff leadership, budget implementation and vendor contracting
• Ensuring all project activities are performed in strict compliance with EC policies and procedures

Key achievements/contributions

• Effectively managed and mentored a team of eight individuals in management and marketing roles. Five of these individuals now hold managerial positions outside of government with another two having been promoted internally.
• Responsible for ongoing stakeholder management to allow the development of a national vocational strategy. Participants in developing this strategy included government departments, business leaders, organised labour, community groups, and training and education providers.
• Playing a key role within a steering group tasked with the development of a new qualifications framework in alignment with vocational and academic qualifications
• Developed and presented various policy proposals and strategies to Ministerial advisors

1998-2001: Marketing Director, Ad-Ed Value Consultancy  

• Joint owner of a business consultancy provider, offering marketing, advertising and courseware solutions to educational and training institutions
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  Establishing a customer focused team to ensure the delivery of excellent levels of service at all times
• Maximising sales and market share through the development of productive working relationships with education providers and the identification of viable new business opportunities

1989-1998: Marketing Communications Manager, Groupe Schneider  

• Initially employed as Sales Administration Manager before gaining rapid promotion to the role of Product and Training Manager followed by further progression to the role of Marketing Communications Manager
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  Accountable for the co-ordination of all communications requirements associated with the merger of three major international companies into one group (Groupe Schneider)
• Responsible for all aspects of change management involving extensive liaison with staff and management teams to ensure buy-in

1986-1989: Service Engineer, Davy Morris  

1985-1986: Sales Supervisor, Square D Electrical  

1983-1985: Sales Engineer, Klockner-Moeller (Pty) Ltd  

1976-1982: Aircraft Electrician, Air Force of Zimbabwe 

• Project Planning & Evaluation
• Project & Contract Management
• Financial & Outputs Management
• Marketing Management
• Sales Management

KEY I.T. SKILLS

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  Microsoft: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Project, Outlook, Internet & Email

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

• Member of Microsoft Partnership Programme
• Member of Chartered Institute of Marketing
• Member of Institute of Marketing Management

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Diploma: Project Evaluation & Monitoring

• Diploma: Mentoring & Coaching
• Diploma: Early Childhood Development
• Prof. Graduate Diploma: Marketing
• Prof. Diploma: Sales Management
• Prof. Diploma: Marketing
• NIC: Electrical Engineering
• City & Guilds: Aircraft Technician

• Driving Licence: Full/Clean
• Health: Excellent
• Interests Include: Video Photography, Outdoor Activities, Hockey & Swimming

I hope that this lets you know something of my skills and experience, but every situation is different so do feel free to give me a call to ascertain how I can be of assistance.