Steve Hinton BSc CEng MIMechE

Executive Chairman of QED

t: 01302 761222

e: steve [at] qedconsulting.co.uk

Steve is the Chairman and owner of the business and focuses his client work on senior level coaching and high level consultancy projects.

He has had a varied and multi-faceted career. He trained as an engineer and worked in manufacturing management and then general management. His entrepreneurial spirit emerged in 1987 when he led a buyout to form a new engineering group in the rail sector. After running that company for 6 years, the desire to do something different again asserted itself and he was one of the founders of QED Consulting.

He has a First Class Honours degree in Mechanical Engineering from Imperial College and he is an NLP Business Practitioner. He is a Fellow and past Chairman of the British American Project, a transatlantic leadership development and networking organisation.

Steve is an experienced consultant who works with Chief Executives, Managing Directors, Senior Executives and other leaders. He brings a combination of wide business and consultancy experience and excellent interpersonal and coaching skills. He has a particular expertise in the whole field of business support, enterprise and entrepreneurship. Steve’s style is challenging, practical, business focused and very effective. He helps to stimulate and embed deep changes in behaviour and performance – transforming clients’ personal and business achievements.

Married to Michèle, with three grown up children, he spends his spare time sailing his catamaran. A passionate runner, Steve has taken part in numerous marathons and swears by the problem-solving and de-stressing clarity that a good run provides. With such a healthy outlook on life, we often turn a blind eye to his weakness for the occasional bacon sandwich.

Katherine Humphreys BA CIPD

Managing Director

t: 01302 767897

e: katherine [at] qedconsulting.co.uk

Katherine brings to QED Consulting an invaluable insight of the public sector after gaining over 10 years experience of working there. Specialising in the areas of skills and business support Katherine spent most of her public sector career within the Learning and Skills Councils and Business Links.

Her experience includes setting up brokerage models and an NETP Programme funded by Yorkshire Forward. Previously she has worked with a variety of organisations both public and private in a consultancy role, concentrating on organisational development and skills acquisition.

With fantastic multi tasking skills and a real clarity of focus Katherine directs QED Consulting’s operations and excels in the areas of Customer First, Assessment Services and our Education and Skills Services.

Katherine also Directs Quantum Assessment Services (QAS), representing QAS at the QED Consulting board of Directors. QAS is a division of QED Consulting which works with a wide range of private, public and not for profit sector organisations across the UK, enabling, supporting and assessing them through the Customer First and SFEDI quality frameworks and also offers assessments against the Institute of Leadership and Management suite of qualifications.

When asked to describe her ideal customer, Katherine replied “one who is great to work with, provides interesting and stimulating projects on an ongoing basis, recommends us to others and with whom you can have some fun”

Jeremy Thorn BSc CEng CCMI FRSA

President of QED

t: 01302 761222

e: jeremyt [at] qedconsulting.co.uk

Jeremy is an experienced business leader and management consultant specialising in strategic business, organisational and management development, including high level training across a wide spectrum of management topics and one-to-one senior executive leadership coaching.

His clients include an unusually broad range of both large and small businesses internationally, a number of UK Government Departments, a wide variety of organisations across the National Health Service and several Local Authorities. He is also a widely experienced Non-Executive Director and Chairman of several client companies.

Jeremy is the author of several prize-winning, hands-on business books and is a frequent key-note speaker and top-team facilitator. He is also a licensed user of the comprehensive range of ethical psychometric profiling tools which QED employs widely to support their work with individuals and teams.

Sharan Gohel

Senior Consultant

t: 01302 767880

e: sharan [at] qedconsulting.co.uk

Senior Consultant and Chartered Occupational Psychologist, Sharan is a Full Member of the British Psychological Society, Division of Occupational Psychology and member of the Psychological testing Centre as well as an NLP Practitioner registered with the NLP Society.

Before joining QED Consulting Sharan worked as an Organisational Psychologist and Principal Consultant (Occupational Psychology) researching and designing assessment tools, delivering and designing Assessment centres and Development Programmes, and working with SME’s to improve organisational and individual performance through the use of assessment tools such as 360º, and psychometrics.

She has worked extensively within both the public and commercial sector, including clients such as, Manchester Evening News, Connexions Lancashire, Business Links and BUPA. Her current projects include UK Trade and Investment and Electricity De France.

Sharan is driven and determined individual who is committed to translating Psychology into everyday terms with a strong emphasis on making a difference.

Bobby Singh BSc DMS

Consultant

t: 01302 767886

e: bobby [at] qedconsulting.co.uk

Bobby leads QED Consulting’s People and Organisation Development division area. Bobby works with private and public sector organisations at senior level, developing both managers and the wider organisation offering Training, Executive Coaching, Strategy Implementation and Action Learning Sets.

Bobby has over 9 years experience working with and for a range of organisations including Business Links, Chambers of Commerce, Learning and Skills Councils, Local Authorities, Voluntary and Community Organisations, Small and medium size enterprises.

Some of the project Bobby is involved in are; Project Management, design and delivery of the Workshop Development Programme for developing over 200 of their operational staff. Project Management and delivery of research, evaluation and consultation projects for a range of public sector organisations Assessment and Development Centre Assessor.  Assessing of Candidates against competencies (critical skills, abilities and personal qualities) during simulated exercises. Assessment of Business Support Staff against SFEDI standards Delivery of skills Broker services under the Train to Gain provision of Brokered Support.

With a very busy family life and two young children, Bobby is also the Director of Personal Development for Junior Chamber International (Doncaster Chapter) responsible for delivering a programme of workshops to develop Young Professionals. At our QED celebrations you will usually find Bobby on the dance floor showing us how it is done (David Brent eat your heart out)!

Ali Imam MA MBA

Consultant

t: 01302 767895

e: ali [at] qedconsulting.co.uk

Ali has previously worked in both the services sectors and the printing and publishing industry, which the marketing department take full advantage of by utilising his knowledge and advice in this area. Being able to combine his interests in ICT and Knowledge Management (KM) with his academic background (Masters in International Relations and an MBA), Ali has delivered numerous lectures to MBA students on these topics across Yorkshire.

Ali leads our IT consultancy service and our overseas work. One of Ali’s most well known clients is the United Nations, in which his last 2 year project involved him designing and delivering Project Management workshops for their senior management worldwide.

At QED Ali is involved in research, evaluation and consultation projects for a range of public and private sector organisations. Ali has developed and delivered management development workshops for managers in both the public and private sector on topics such as Knowledge Management, Developing CRM systems, Change Management, Project Management, Time management and Team Building. His particular interest lies in the impact of communication technologies and the role of information and its security on the businesses.

Ali takes pride in “identifying problems and providing solutions” at work and preparing his two sons to play cricket for England!

Matthew Miles

Consultant

t: 01302 761222

e: matt [at] qedconsulting.co.uk

Matthew is an integral member of QED Consulting’s professional delivery team, specialising in delivering stimulating and impactful workshop and training sessions around developing leaders and managers. His style is thoughtful, thought provoking and thorough, underpinned by a professional knowledge of understanding how people learn and acquire skills and knowledge. He is also experienced in working with organisations on examining the impact that improved customer service has on organisational performance and results. His astute understanding of how modifications of the customer journey in an organisation can enhance not only the customers experience but also motivate and energise the staff to achieve tangible performance results for the organisations with whom he works. Prior to joining QED Consulting, Matt worked with O2 where he was involved in project managing and implementing change initiatives and as a training manager for an international construction company for several years, where he managed the training and development for six regional offices employing both office and field staff. He is an NLP Practitioner.

Scott Pearson

Consultant

t: 01302 761222

e: scott [at] qedconsulting.co.uk

Scott has 13 years experience in operational learning & development and recently joined QED Consulting from Aviva, where he held roles that involved him working across the country and overseas. His most recent project was the culture change and re-brand that saw Norwich Union evolve into Aviva, a project that impacted 8000 leaders across the organisation. Other notable projects Scott has worked on include a 6 month residence in India working with call centre structures, delivering a national NVQ programme for a large blue chip organisation, design and delivering national leadership initiatives and implementing a UK wide development structure for a Training function of a large utilities company. Scott has a wide range of experience and skills to draw from and has worked with companies of all sizes from local businesses to multi-nationals, with a particular enthusiasm for Coaching, Leadership and Project Management Scott is a qualified coach and training professional as well an NLP Practitioner who gets a lot of satisfaction from helping the personal and career enhancement of others.

Jean Jones

Project Manager

t: 01302 761222

e: jean [at] qedconsulting.co.uk

As Projects Manager for the Development Team, Jean is responsible for making sure all projects are running smoothly.

Jean has been working for QED for over 10 years and came on board as an administrator.

As Projects Manager Jean works on a number of projects such as a Customer Satisfaction Survey with a European Rail Company, and an Operations Development Programme within the Public Sector which involves.

Jean affectionately referred to as ‘Aunty Jean’ in the office can always be relied upon to provide help and support in any given situation.

Sam Bennett

Customer First Business Development Manager

t: 01302 767891

e: sam [at] qedconsulting.co.uk

Samantha has been with QED Consulting for over 5 years her current role is Project Manager for the Customer First assessment centre within Quantum Assessment Services (QAS).

After leaving College Samantha went into a general administrative role and then progressed onto secretarial and project management roles. Working in a sales environment Samantha has over 19 years of Customer Service experience.

Sam is the lead Project Manager for Customer First, looking after the Standard, the assessment process and our internal and external assessor teams. Working closely with the Customer First UK Team in York Sam leads on all management information requests and is the first point of contact for clients.

Outside of work Samantha is mum to 12 month old Oliver who keeps her very busy. She spends a lot of her time with friends, family and helping out at playgroup.

Caroline Dacres

Business Management Co-ordinator

t: 01302 767894

e: caroline [at] qedconsulting.co.uk

Caroline has 10 years Customer Service and Administration experience, possessing a proven ability in office support, problem solving, organisational, interpersonal and communication skills. Caroline is the Business Management Coordinator and is the first point of contact when you enter the QED Office. Caroline provides assistance to Finance administrator with accounts and deals with Human Resources in tandem with the Business Manager. She has NVQ’s in both Administration and Customer Service and currently working towards her CIPD Certificate in Personnel Practice. Caroline is a valuable and integral part of the QED Consulting team.

Sue Elliott

Business Manager

t: 01302 767882

e: sue [at] qedconsulting.co.uk

Sue Elliott is currently the Business Manager for QED Consulting and is one of the Senior Management team within the organisation. She directly supports the Managing Director and Finance Director with all aspects of Business Planning, Business Development and Business Performance. Sue manages the Business Management and Business Development teams, functions and processes.

She has worked for QED Consulting for 15 years and progressed during this time from General Office Manager to Business Manager. With over 20 years experience in business administration systems and processes, Sue is a key member of the team.

In her spare time, Sue enjoys shopping, keeping fit and holidays.

Rebecca Hughes BA

Business Development Manager for QAS

t: 01302 767896

e: rebecca [at] qedconsulting.co.uk

Rebecca has been with QED Consulting for over 3 years now and is currently leading business development activity for Quantum Assessment Service (QAS).

After leaving the University of Nottingham with a History Degree Rebecca worked for a private sector communications firm. Here she was a Project Manager, responsible for delivering public communications campaigns on behalf of public sector clients (including local authorities and government organisations). On joining QED Rebecca was part of the first successful Knowledge Transfer Partnership Programme in the Doncaster area, during which she joined the team to develop the central marketing function whilst completing her Diploma in Marketing.

Rebecca is currently working very closely with a number of Business Links to set up SFEDI accreditation programmes and various strategic partners to promote the Customer First standard. Between the production of tenders and supporting the central marketing team Rebecca most of all enjoys developing relationships and working with our clients.

Outside of work you can often find Rebecca either in the gym, browsing the shops or socialising with friends and family.

Patrick Louis-Jean MCP, MCDST, MCSA, CompTIA N+ Security+

IT Manager

t: 01302 767885

e: patrick [at] qedconsulting.co.uk

Patrick joined QED Consulting in 2005 as an IT Technician and in 2007 became our IT Manager. Patrick’s duties include liaising with all business departments to identify and implement IT related needs, managing the phasing in of new technology and software and helping with day to day IT issues. In addition to his technical roles, Patrick also dabbles in Graphic and Web Design.

After leaving University, Patrick worked for a national technical support company providing 3rd line support to over 1000 home users and 400 businesses in sectors such as Education, Power and Utilities and Aerospace. Patrick is a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP), a Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST) and a Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA). He also holds CompTIA Network+ and Security+ Certifications and is working towards a CCNA and MCSE.

Although primarily internally facing, Patrick’s skills are often drawn upon to bring cutting edge element to our projects by providing solutions such as project mini sites, digital forms and general IT consultancy.

Although a Geek at heart, Patrick does not spend all of his spare time glued to the internet playing RPGs and instead prefers to socialise with his friends over a meal, by going to the cinema or enjoying a day out and about.

Tara Wood

Business Management Coordinator

t: 01302 761222

e: tara [at] qedconsulting.co.uk

Tara works with the business management team as the finance co-ordinator dealing with any accounting and business management queries. She has 4 years experience.

Tara is always calm and collected and there to support others no matter what. Tara leads the way with her continuous professional development and is an example to us all with her unswerving determination and good humour.

Ida Fernandes

Finance Co-ordinator

t:

e: ida [at] qedconsulting.co.uk

Ida works for QED Consulting as part of the business management team in the role of Finance Co-ordinator and report to the Business Manager providing financial and administrative support.

After leaving school Ida worked for Doncaster Council where she gained National and Higher National diploma in Business and Finance. She worked for the Council for nine years before moving to London.

Ida worked for Barclays Bank as Team Leader of the Share Incentive Plan department. She worked for Barclays for five years before moving back to Doncaster.

Ida have two children, Jordan aged 9 and Evan aged 3. They have settled very well in Doncaster which is great when you have a full time job to cope with.

Laura Whapplington

Marketing Co-ordinator

t: 01302 761222

e: laura [at] qedconsulting.co.uk

Laura joined QED Consulting as a Trainee Administrator working towards completing her NVQ Level 2 & 3 in Business Administration. On completion of these she moved from Trainee to Administrator. Laura continues to move her career forward and is being trained in other areas of the business.

Laura has said, ‘During my time at QED I have gained knowledge and experience from those around me, working as part of a solid supportive team has helped me to further my career’.

Laura likes to keep herself fit and is a regular member of the local gym. She is as an avid supporter of Derby County and played football for Doncaster Rovers for a number of years.

Nicola England

Sales Administrator

t: 01302 761222

e: nicola [at] qedconsulting.co.uk

Nicola has worked for QED Consulting for just over a year and is Business Development Co-ordinator responsible for the co-ordination of our marketing and business development plans.

She has many years financial/management experience. Nicola quotes ‘Working for QED has been a new enjoyable experience and the balance I now have between home and work is brilliant!’

Nicola has 2 young children who keep her very active with football, swimming and dancing. She is an active member of the PFA at the local Primary School and helps out there on a weekly basis. She enjoys socialising with family and friends, shopping and holidays!!