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Ask the Experts

BFRS has brought together a number of 'experts' who are offering advice on a range of subjects/issues that are important during the transition process, many of them have not only experienced the 'transition process', but have gone on to develop successful second careers and in most cases, their own businesses.  If your question is outside their area (s) of expertise, be sure they will attempt to find someone who can give you an answer/solution.

'If BFRS doesn't know, we probably know who does'


Harry Dean
Director

Harry Dean Ex LE Officer (RA) left the Army in 1998 and after a few years gaining valuable commercial experience, he started his own business, and has been involved in a number of other successful start up business ventures and partnerships.  Harry is currently Chief Executive of BFRS and Managing Director of Gemini Forces ltd. He offers a range help, support and advice, which includes:

  • Military to Civilian Transition.
  • Start Up business help & advice
  • Business mentoring (start ups and existing businesses).

To email your question, click here
 
Tel: 0116 254 5477
07980 638990
 
Address:
Imperial House
St Nicholas Circle
Leicester
LE1 4LF





James Short
CB OBE FCMI

James specialises in strategic planning, team building and change management. Currently he helps companies to develop their organizational structures to improve output, by providing a distinctive methodology for growth. His main focus is on innovation, inspiration and motivation to create profitability. He brings a unique outlook on the planning for and delivery of decisive objectives. His aim is to deliver business improvement through mentoring at Board-level.

His expertise includes:

  • Strategy development and implementation
  • Change management through improved leadership and motivation
  • Concept development and innovative problem solving
  • Organisational development and implementation planning
  • Specialist in multi-national, multi-discipline training delivery
  • Highly experienced in complex international negotiations
  • Accomplished communicator, lecturer and presenter

James is an ex-Major General in the British Army and has served in staff and operational appointments across the world.

For more details visit www.augmentor-uk.com
 

 To email your question, click here
 
Tel: 0845 6526371
07818 054645


Hannah Reynolds

Marketing has a reputation for being fluffy and expensive. If you would be interested in receiving advice which is practical and cost effective this is the approach taken by Hannah of Mischievous Marketing. Hannah sees marketing as building on your strengths and understanding customers to offer the right service supported by the right messages. It also involves ensuring you are delivering excellent service so as to keep clients and better still develop fans who promote your organisation for you.

Hannah has run a successful marketing company for the past five years, she has won awards including the ‘Switched On Award for Women In Business With B*lls’, the ‘Coventry Telegraph Young Business Person of the Year’ and the’ ILM Learner of the Year Award for England’.

If you are starting out and want some ideas on what to focus on to grow the business or you are ready to take your organisation to the next level and want ideas on the marketing direction Hannah gives practical advice.

Her expertise includes:

  • Cost effective marketing
  • Service excellence
  • Getting your team on board
  • Launching new products
  • How to shine online – creating the right impression
  • Communications – making sure your messages match their audience

Hannah works closely with BFRS on their marketing and contributes to their strategic direction.

For more details visit www.mischievousmarketing.co.uk  

 To email your question, click here
 

 

Gethin Roberts

Gethin Roberts is a major shareholder in Driver Direct Recruitment Ltd, a company with c£12m turnover and 15 Branches across the UK. Gethin served in the RAF for 12 years in transport related roles and left the service in 1990 to take up a position as a transport manager for Royal Mail. In 2002 he set up Driver Direct with three partners and continues to oversee the day to day operation of this successful company.

Gethin offers advice on:

  • Preparing for civilian life.
  • Transport related roles.
  • Taking up Agency work.
  • Franchising.
  • Business Start up.

Gethin can also provide careers and CV support from his in house HR department.

 To email your question, click here

Tony Brister

CBE FRSA

Tony is a high performance specialist, who helps individuals and teams to achieve great results. He does this through a combination of executive/performance coaching, leadership mentoring, facilitation, consultancy and training.

His expertise includes:

• 1:1 Executive Coaching and Leadership Mentoring
• Board/Team Coaching and Facilitation
• Consultancy: particularly addressing leadership, organisational effectiveness, and training and development
• Training: in leadership, executive coaching, mentoring, and achieving goals

Tony is an ex-Brigadier in the British Army. He served in a wide range of specialist (Education and Training) and generalist appointments, completing his career as Director Educational and Training Services (Army) (DETS(A)).

For more details visit www.abcoachingandleadership.co.uk  

To email your question, click here

Clive Ormerod

Managing Director OMS Ltd

Clive is a qualified and experienced General Manager who has held high profile roles within several large national companies. These roles have included Operations Director, General Manager, Health, Safety, Quality, Environment and Training Manager. He has gained extensive experience in a vast range of business sectors.

 
Clive has chartered status in health and safety and also in quality, he is qualified in management, quality, health and safety and non-destructive testing, and has vast practical industry experience. He is able to provide guidance and leadership within OMS that facilitates our advisors to identify simple sustainable solutions that fit in with our clients’ business needs.


Clive is well respected in the industry and provides advice for well know names such as BT, London Underground, Molson Coors, Morrison Utilities, Lanes Group, Openreach, Chartis Insurance to name a few, he was also closely involved with IOSH developing the new Managing Safely course and was a presenter at its launch at the Lords cricket ground.

Qualifications & Professional Membership
• MSc, Total Quality Management
• PgC, Management Sciences
• Fellow, Chartered Management Institute
• Fellow, Institute of Leadership and Management
• Member, Institute of Directors
• Chartered Member, Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
• Member, International Institute of Safety Risk Managers
• Member, Association of Project Safety
• Member, European Corporate Governance Institute
• Chartered Member, Chartered Quality Institute
• Member, Institute of Non-Destructive Testing
• Fellow, International Association of Quality Practitioners

To email your question, click here

Jason Woods

Managing Director

Jason is the founder member of SNE Group, who served 10 years in the Parachute Regiment and has worked the past twelve within the private security industry. He is a proven example of someone who has selected his career path intelligently and has worked his way up from grass roots level into senior security management roles working all over the world in places such as Pakistan, Israel, Afghanistan, Sudan, Nigeria, USA, Kurdistan, Europe and is a former in-country manager of a security company in Iraq. At present Jason is heavily involved in setting SNE Special Projects out in Libya.

Formed back in 2009 Security Networking Events www.securitynetworkingevents.co.uk has become the foremost events company within the private security industry for service leavers and those seeking to enhance their networks within the security sector.
SNE Special Projects www.snespecialprojects.co.uk was formed in January 2010 and Jason has been the driving force behind the development of the company brand and recruitment of several of the senior personnel now involved. His core values are based upon a pro active mind set striving to produce quality of service and value for money for SNE clients within today`s modern private security industry.

Email: Jason.woods@snegroup.co.uk

Tel: 0208 1447452

To email your question click here

Will Brown MCGI

Will set up his own company Forces Homes in 2004, with his own resettlement looming and a passion for property he developed a business model to assist military personnel to own their own homes. Very much aware of the standard myths about military personnel in terms of homelessness and difficulties faced when trying to obtain mortgages etc he has built up a company which has achieved successful outcomes for some incredibly difficult cases. As a WO1 he has seen many people leave the decision to purchase property far too late and wanted to change the mindset, encouraging personnel to make the leap into property ownership as early as possible.

Will can provide advice on many aspects of home ownership and property purchase, including:

• Mortgages
• Finding the right property, old & new
• What you should be asking the estate agent
• Understanding the survey
• The purchase process
• Letting

For more details visit www.forceshomes.co.uk  

To email your question, click here


June Spindloe

Relocation Nova Scotia Inc

June and Mark Spindloe emigrated to Canada in 1996 and moved to Nova Scotia from Southampton UK.  She very quickly realised that there was very little 'one on one' support and information available for newcomers, who rely soley on government websites etc., .

As a result of this she started her own business Relocation Nova Scotia Inc. She set up a service that anyone can access and is tailored to your needs. Relocation Nova Scotia has a selection of cost effective services and partners that will save you time and money. We can also organise assistance for Recce trips, accommodations , banking and networking .

June is also a certified Life Coach and has coached newcomers right from the early planning stages of their move. Recently she has been working with MOD Service leavers who are interested in emigrating to Canada instead of returning to civvy street in the UK. Service leavers are ideally suited to becoming new immigrants , and given the right circumstances can start planning their move early if they have the correct information and support to make it happen.

June produced her own immigration planner/workbook last year to be used as a tool with the coaching sessions.

Emigrating is an unfamiliar process for most families and its hard to know who to trust and where to begin, working with us will give you that support and information that you need.  Initial consultations are free.

If you are wondering how to start planning a new life in Canada contact me:

Tel 902-431-8689 or  Email:June@relocationnovascotia.com

To email your question, click here

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Dave Grundy

Tuit Achievements

Are you looking forward to moving into Civilian life? How’s the career/ business planning going? What about the family? Support network? What about you? What about finance? Home and school/ university?

Some benefits of talking with me:
• Tailored confidential support on your journey before, during and after you have left
• Goal clarity and action planning improved and focused
• Improved quality decision-making
• Advance your career/ business
• Effective use of your time and resources
• Network development
• Balanced work/ life
• Getting past those personal hurdles
Contact me for your free 30 minute review session. Details below.

About David Grundy
• 23 years in the Royal Army Pay Corps
• 30+ years management and team leadership skills
• Business Manager, Auditor, Accountant, Coach
• Successful career/ roles in Civilian Life
• Still enjoying life
• Genuinely passionate about supporting Service Personnel

 To email your question, click here.