What job/study are you doing right now and tell us a little about it?
I head up supply chain strategy for Matalan, having previously done a similar role in the food, beverage and tobacco industries. I specialise in logistics, with a focus on growing supply chain capabilities to meet the increasing eCommerce demand. Often using new and emerging technologies in the fields of automation and AI. I am also managing director of a boutique consultancy firm specialising in the field of continuous improvement and change management. Alongside this I am currently mid way through studying for my MBA at MMU.
Did you do any further/higher education?
After leaving school I attended Carmel to study my A levels after which decided Uni was not for me and I ventured into employment.
How did you decide on your career path and what is/was most interesting about your work?
My career has evolved organically since leaving school, initially working in computers within the supply chain sector. I.T. being my path of choice, the sector was secondary. However once in supply chain I discovered an industry that allowed me to grow and as the UK was shifting from a manufacturing economy to that of a service sector I grew with the industry. Something which I continue to do with the current shift in consumer habits and the growth of eCommerce.
Can you share a couple of fond memories of your time at St Cuthbert's?
First day of school, 1987 and the sports hall was brand new. Our first day involved sitting in lines on the newly painted floor, the paint however was not quite dry and transferred to my trainers and I went through the 1st year with orange paint on the side of my shoes. The bonk run, not sure if it's still a thing but Mr Birkett and Mr Griffiths took great pleasure in sending us all off and a run in the cold wet winter months - it's probably no more than 3k but felt like a lifetime back then.
Did you have a favourite/influential teacher? What made them so important to you?
Some great teachers back then, Mr Archer for his approach to teaching, Mr Ludden - knowing what I know now I would love to have had a coffee with him to talk to him about his knowledge of history.
What advice would you give our current students?
You can be whatever you want to be, no matter what life throws at you. The key to success is people, once you have mastered working with others then you can achieve almost anything. Remember you will not be an expert in all fields however there will be people around you who are experts in theirs, the skill is bringing them together to achieve more than the sum of the parts and you get the pleasure of continuing to learn.
Name: John Smith