I worked with Mark at VT Group and very quickly realised that he was going to be a key player in assisting me with some of the large change programmes that were planned for the Human Resources function which in turn would have a huge impact on the whole of the business. Mark fully engages in whatever he is associated with and took the time to understand what I needed to achieve. He was creative in his solutions and looks to endorse the true meaning of partnering both, with his internal customers and external suppliers which he did with great finesse and skill. I felt at all times that Mark was very much part of the team and nothing was to much trouble despite having a very heavy workload Mark always met all deadlines. I learnt a lot and very much enjoyed working with Mark, he has integrity and tenacity rarely found in people today and is a great team player. I would welcome the opportunity to work with Mark again and sincerely hope that my future encounters with Supply Chain specialist are as positive as they were with Mark.
Linda Mason, Human Resources Director, VT Education & Skills
Worked directly with Mark at VT Education & Skills
Mark is an extremely competent and effective Supply Chain Director. He is enthusiastic, intelligent and personable. In addition he has a great sense of humour and I thoroughly enjoyed working with him.
Marion Luckhurst, Partnering Director, VT Group plc
managed Mark indirectly at VT Education & Skills
Mark is an individual with a tremendous amount of enthusiasm and commitment to doing the right thing and getting to the core of an issue. He questioned the status quo and was successful in delivering benefit to the business and always doing it with good humour and consideration to others – a good asset to any business.
Paul Freemantle, IT Service Delivery Director, VT Group
worked with Mark at VT Education & Skills
Mark is an excellent operational procurement director. He is imaginative, driven, consistent and skilled and has the ability to communicate at all levels within an organisation very effectively. He is an approachable leader with a wonderfully dry sense of humour and I found him a real pleasure to work with.
Russell Murdoch, Director, Strategic Procurement, VT Support Services Ltd
worked directly with Mark at VT Education & Skills
An incredibly hard working, highly skilled and respected Supply Chain Director is how I would recommend Mark.
I have had the pleasure of working with Mark for over five years managing a very busy property portfolio and I have learnt an incredible amount from him in that time. Mark has the ability to see opportunities in many areas of business while at the same time finding solutions for them to be achieved.
Mark is not shy to make difficult decisions which although might appear unpopular at the time are right for the future which he has proved many times. His ability to provide clear vision and direction ensures projects are delivered on time and with considerable savings. He is very much a team player with the ability to get the best from the people he works with and the teams he manages and this has gained him great respect.
Mark is definitely the most supportive and motivating manager I have worked with and I sincerely hope to have the opportunity to work with him again in the future. Marks’ skills and abilities would most definitely be an asset to any organisation.
Michelle Caldwell, Property Executive, VT Education and Skills
worked directly with Mark at VT Education & Skills
I had the pleasure of working for Mark during my time in the VT Education & Skills division, working on the integration of the newly acquired HCTC and Touchstone training businesses. Initially, coming into a project management role in which I had little to no experience, Mark provided excellent guidance, coaching and direction in what was a challenging environment. Mark passed on a great deal of expertise and wisdom to me in this time, which I still rely on today. Mark is a real people person, with a natural gift for getting the best out of those around him. He would be a tremendous asset to any employer.
Tom Senior, Project Manager, VT Education & Skills
reported to Mark at VT Education & Skills
Friendly, easy to get on with. Very hard working. Got things done. Saved us a fortune in times of restructuring.
Fergal Roche, Business Development Director, VT Group
worked directly with Mark at VT Education & Skills
I worked with Mark several times in developing a variety of different bid proposals. Mark was always thorough in his summations and was quick to ascertain requirements, spotting potential pitfalls and solutions. He is pleasant and easy-going and I have no hesitation in recommending him as a good person to work with.
Susan Morris, Business Development Executive, VT Education & Skills
worked with Mark at VT Education & Skills
Having worked with Mark over the years I can strongly recommend him to anyone who seeks; • A highly professional and experienced supply chain practitioner • Someone to establish supply chain excellence • An individual who can not only develop a clear strategic direction but also implement it Mark works by gaining the respcet of others by positive enthusiastic engagement at all levels of the organisation – I would have no hesitation in recommending him.
Barbara Harrison, Director HS&E and Head CR, VT Group plc
worked with Mark at VT Education & Skills
I had the pleasure of working alongside Mark during my time with VT Group and found him to be a seasoned procurement professional. As well as demonstrating extensive experience across procurement, Mark was always helpful, trustworthy and supportive of change to achieve business improvements.
Sharon Hill, HR Exec/Integration Project Manager, VT Education & Skills
worked directly with Mark at VT Education & Skills
Mark is a seasoned procurement professional who has extensive experience across the entire spend portfolio of a major plc; from telecoms to toilet rolls, consultancy to construction, meals to missile systems and property to paper Mark has done the lot. His expertise spans strategic and tactical spends and he is as comfortable in a hard nosed negotiation as he is forming a new strategic partnership. Mark is solid, dependable, thorough, hardworking, practical and personable. He has lead significant teams, worked alone as an internal SME, driven change and has worked at every level up to and including divisional board member.
Nathan Taylor, Business Development Director, VT Group
worked directly with Mark at VT Education & Skills
I consider Mark to be a highly astute Director from whom I have received a great deal of leadership, support and input whilst managing a project to outsource recruitment activity across the entire Group. Mark took primary responsibility in developing a detailed business case to present the Executive Committee, supporting the forecasted benefits with financial and efficiency modeling, backed up with comprehensive validated data gathered from the business. Mark consistently demonstrates enviable negotiation skills when dealing with our partnering organisations whilst at the same time maintains excellent relationships by ensuring benefits are realised by all parties. I have greatly enjoyed working with Mark and would welcome the opportunity to do so again.
Peter Lawrence, Head of Resourcing, VT Group plc
worked indirectly for Mark at VT Education & Skills
Mark is a consummate procurement professional with years of experience and great track record of achievement. He has done some great work in rationalising the corporate property portfolio to achieve significant cost reduction and control on expenditure. Mark has also put in place some very good deals for VT and developed partnering relationships with key strategic suppliers. I have lots of respect for Mark and value his business acumen.
Lina Brown, Head of Commercial & Supply Chain, VT Communications
worked directly with Mark at VT Education & Skills
Mark’s a highly professional Procurement & Supply Chain specialist. He has won the trust and respect of many colleagues as well as forming strong supplier partnerships through his excellent engagement skills. Over the ten years I have know Mark he has set high standards in all that he does and achieves. He’s a pleasure to work with and I am delighted to recommending him.
Anton Roe, Director, Matchtech Group Plc
was a consultant or contractor to Mark at VT Education & Skills
Mark joined me at the AirTanker consortium and brought a pragmatic and structured approach to a very complex programme. I found Mark’s views/advice to be not only supportive but above all innovative in approach to present practical and workable solutions.
Rob Dustan, Support Services Director, AirTanker Services
worked directly with Mark at Airtanker Services
Mark assisted me in chairing a networking session with the small business sector. His role was to represent the Corporate perspective. It was very clear to me that Mark had tremendous insight into the workings of the corporate bodies and their supply chain, and indeed how to work them for best advantage. His knowledge and ways of putting his point across proved highly valuable to all of the small businesses involved, based on many years experience and practical application. Mark clearly has a dedication to his cause, and is a genuine, honest, and hardworking individual. I would certainly enjoy working with Mark again.
Ian Thomas FInstIB, Owner, Proactive Trading (Hampshire) Ltd
was with another company when working with Mark at VT Group plc
Contact me if you would like some further written references
