After selling my Phone-In telecommunications reseller business I focussed solely on offering telecommunications, networking & internet consultancy and systems integration using the trading name Premitel.I have been involved many projects providing telecommunications and IT solutions to business customers including PBX phone systems, VoIP, computer networks, internet access & mobile communications.I was also retained on a part-time basis for over 4 years by the North American telecommunications company ConneXon to assist with the launch of the emergency calling system in the UK.

From November 2008 I was retained on a part-time basis by the North American telecommunications firm ConneXon.I was responsible for the launch of an enhanced 999 calling solution for IP-PBXs that was based on ConneXon’s established 911 Enable solution in North America.I also had to design and implement a UK Emergency Routing Service which is based on BT’s IP Exchange service. This was an essential part of the UK solution.I also set up a distribution arrangement with Datatrack for the ConneXon E999 Emergency Gateway.I was also involved in discussions with Ofcom, EENA and ETSI regarding standards and regulations associated with providing caller location information for 999 & 112 calls from IP-PBXs.

I left Coopers & Lybrand and started my own telecommunications reseller business in Edinburgh which targeted the consumer and SME business market.I had retail premises with staff running the retail part of the business while I focussed on business customers.At the time the business started the UK telecommunications market had recently been de-regulated and mobile phones were just becoming popular.The business grew rapidly especially on the retail side and by 1993 I had 2 retail outlets and the turnover had grown to almost £1 million.Due to problems with shop leases in 1999 and a more difficult market I closed both outlets and re-opened in a new outlet in Edinburgh’s West End.This business focussed more strongly on business customers.Over the years I changed the technological focus of the Phone-In business.It started off as being primarily telephones. Over the years the focus broadened to encompass internet access, computer networks, email, PBX phone systems, mobile data etc.While running Phone-In I also worked on a few consultancy assignments.Most notably I worked with Pringle of Scotland to advise on all their telecommunications issues and I also worked with East of Scotland Water to help them set up their telecommunications networks. They are now part of Scottish Water.In December 2006 I sold the retail part of the Phone-In business and operated as an indepndent consultant under the trading name of Premitel.

Coopers & Lybrand was one of the “big 5” accountancy and management consultancy firms.I was employed as a Senior Consultant in their network Systems Group and within a three years I was promoted to Managing Consultant.As a Senior Consultant my main focus was carrying out the work needed to complete assignments. A few of my key assignments are listed below:· Advised Astec (Europe) on a strategy for diverifying into telecommunications products;· Advised bookmaking consortium of the technical and financial feasibility of a satellite delivered television racing service; and· Advised the Omani and Hungarian PTT’s on methodoligies for reviewing and setting tariffs.As a Managing Consultant I worked with the firm’s Directors to build relationships with existing clients and identify areas where further assistance could be provided.I also had to manage various consultancy assignments for my clients. A few of my key assignments are listed below:· Implemented of a new telephone system at Guiness’s Landmark House premises in London and development of their corporate telecommunications strategy;· Advised American International Group on the most appropriate means of providing a European data network to support their IT strategy;· Assisted with the development of a data communications network to support South East Thames Regional Health Authority’s new supplies system;· Advised Austin Rover Group on the technical and commercial aspects associated with the purchase of ISTEL’s microwave network;· Recommended a Private Mobile Radio system as the most appropriate telecommunications solution for DER’s service centres; and· Developed a private packet switched data communications network solution for the Storehouse Group.Despite being offered an Associate Directorship I left Coopers & Lybrand because I wanted to run my own business.I also had family reasons for returning to Scotland.

Very soon after I joined BNOC the organisation was privatised and became Britoil.At Britoil I was employed in their engineering department as a telecommunications engineer. The telecommunication team was responsible for the planning, implementation and management of Britoil’s corporate telecommunication facilities. These covered 8 x on-shore sites and 3 x off-shore oil rigs in the North Sea.My first task was the implementation of a telephone management system for Britoil’s telephone network. This was used to ensure that the telephone network was configured at its optimum.It was also used to develop a strategy for the expansion of the network to cover all of Britoil’s on-shore and off-shore sites. I was part of the team responsible for implementing this strategy.Once the telephone network had been completed I was given the newly established post of Network Manager. My responsibilities covered:· Operation and performance of all all telecommunications systems;· Maintenance of equipment and circuit inventory;· Continual assessment of changing user needs and business requirements;· Continual review of impact of changes in telecommunications regulation and new technologies and services;· Liaison with external contractors and suppliers;· Maintenance of appropriate staffing levels; and· Development of tools and procedures to aid the network management function.Following a restructuring of the telecommunications function from the engineering department to the newly created IT division I was transferred to another section and given a more technically oriented role.In my new role I had to investigate various telecommunications techniques that could be used to deliver telecommunications services over satellite links to offshore platforms. These included low bit rate voice and slow-scan television.I left Britoil when I was approached by a former colleague offering me a job as a management consultant at Coopers & Lybrand in London.

I joined C&W after graduating from university. I joined their graduate recruitment programme and spent 6 months at their training college in Cornwall. The training covered the systems and procedures used in their overseas operations.As part of the training programme I was posted to their operation in Hong Kong where I worked in various departments. At the time, C&W was responsible for operating Hong Kong’s international telecommunications gateway.When my training was completed I was posted to Sana’a in North Yemen. As in Hong Kong, C&W was responsible for Yemen’s international telecommunications gateway.My main responsibility was day-to-day maintenance of North Yemen’s international telecommunication circuits and also the SITA airline network.While in North Yemen I was also involved in the opertation of the international telephone exchange, the satellite ground station, troposheric scatter systems and microwave radio networks.Working conditions in North Yemen were difficult not only because of the cultural differences, but also because North and South Yemen were engaged in a civil war.I spent 18 months in North Yemen and after some leave this was followed by 6 months in Saudi Arabia.C&W had the contract to equip the Saudi Arabian National Guard with Telecommunications equipment. I had a teaching role and was involved in giving instruction in basic electronics and telecommunications to the soldiers in the National Guard.The teaching role was not very challenging and during my next period of leave I was offered a job with British National Oil Corporation (BNOC) in their headquarters in Glasgow.

Barr & Stroud are a Glasgow based electronics firm who are part of the Pilkington Group.Following my graduation from Glasgow Universtity I was employed as a trainee electronics engineer.However, I decided to leave when I was accepted for the graduate recruitment programme with Cable & Wireless.