As a Families Information Officer I provide free information, advice and assistance on childcare and other services that support parents-to-be, mothers, fathers and other carers of children and young people up to the age of 20. I also work with those organisations and professionals who support families.

With great success, I managed and further developed the Business Link Information Service by cultivating relationships with internal and external customers, which contributed to their overall personal/business development and success.Achievements include: Management of £40,000 Information Service budget. The designing, testing and launching of new products and services to meet business needs and new opportunities. Integral member of the Management Team for strategic and business planning. Identification, evaluation, purchase and maintenance of new information sources. Marketing of all Business Link products and services. Management and training development of a Gateway Information Officer. Contributed to successful achievement of Investors in People and ISO 9002.

I had full managerial responsibility for the contract and staff involved in the delivery of the Business Enterprise Support Programme for local businesses in the Wakefield area.Achievements include: Contract management of the Business Development Service (£80k), Diagnostic and Consultancy Service (£40k), Business Development Seminars (£25k), and the Information Service (£40k). Production of quarterly Management Information for DTI and monthly Performance Reports for the Business Link Board. Management and training development of two Gateway Information Officers, Receptionist and a Client Management System Administrator.

Seconded to Business Link I successfully managed and made recommendations for the Wakefield Information Service and had supervisory responsibility for four members of staff.Achievements include: Sourcing, evaluating and recommending to the Board purchase of a Client Management System to support the functions of Business Link. Management and editorial responsibility of the production of a Products and Services Manual. Development of staff including recruitment and training.

I established, developed and provided a high quality and effective Information Service to meet the needs of local businesses.Achievements include: Research, evaluation and resourcing of the ‘Business Exchange’ producing printed and electronic information resources. Managing the ‘Business Exchange’ Information Service budget. Visiting businesses to assess their information needs. Marketing, evaluation and development of the Information Service. Supervising and training the Information Assistant.