Chris Who?

If you're wondering why the skipper of a small cruise ship thinks he knows something about business, then read on.

I was born and raised on Tyneside, attended a good secondary school and got reasonable grades. The careers advice I was given was 'Ah, you'll stay on and take A-levels and go to university...' I couldn't really see the logic in this at the time, and the deal I struck with my parents was: job with good training = escape from school, no job = A-levels.

And so I left school at 16 and started work for BT - who sent me straight back to college where I learned an important lesson in life - if your learning is related to what you do, you enjoy it and do well. I also learned the difference between good and bad teachers. Work at BT was fine, I got an early promotion and also became bored quite quickly, stuck in an office job that seemed like prison to me. So, at the tender age of 21, I resigned and started my own business....

Almost 20 years later, I decided that after running several businesses and being involved at board/policy levels in other organisations, that it was time to do something different - I felt that I needed to stretch my brain a bit. First I studied for an Adult and Further Education Teaching Certificate, then enrolled at Durham University Business School where I gained a Masters Degree. During this time the opportunity to buy Chalice came along. You don't get opportunities like this every day, so (doing things back-to-front as usual....) I bought Chalice and sold my business.

It's probably worth pointing out that I already had a Skippers Ticket by this time, but that's another story......

I've been involved with direct business support since 1997, working with business development agencies and Business Link. I'm a registered provider with One North East and hold up-to-date Professional Indemnity Insurance.

Contracts which I've handled to date include executive mentoring and coaching, team coaching, enterprise counselling and entrepreneurial development as well as generic business and start-up advice. I have worked in different service sectors including marketing, IT, precision engineering, retail and service.

If you'd like to check out my CV then please click here for a pdf download. I don't profess to know all of the answers, but I know how to help you to make a difference. References are available from clients if required.

Never do things others can do and will do if there are things others cannot do or will not do - Amelia Earhart