Steve Clarke (MA, FCIPD, FCMI, FITOL, FBILD)

Experience

• 

  Manchester City Council

  Jan 1988 - Jan 2000

  Training & Development Manager

  Within this post, was responsible for managing all aspects of the Training and Development function in the Council’s highly complex Finance Department and, following formal Project Management training in 1994, the role evolved to managing a range of high profile projects across the authority, including Best Value Reviews.At the time, Manchester City Council was the 2nd largest local authority in England, with the 2nd largest Finance Department comprising almost 1000 members of staff in 6 diverse, multi-site units.Achievements included:- Successfully managed a number of key change management programmes across the authority, including in relation to Best Value, devolved budgeting and competitive tendering for meals within schools and social services,- Developed and delivered an innovative and unique approach to training Cost Centre Managers to effectively manage budgets, which led to Cost Centre Managers being deemed as ‘competent’ to manage budgets within the authority through the programme. Over 900 managers undertook the training and the programme was commended by the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (SOLACE),- Developed and delivered a user-friendly, innovative approach to training staff across all areas of the authority on the implications of Council Tax. This model was adopted by a large number of Local Authorities across the country (owing to the creative and easily understandable subject matter) and by a private finance programmes company,- Acted as a successful Project Management Consultant to Project Sponsors and Project Managers within departments across the Council. Facilitated numerous Project Definition Workshops for projects across the authority,- Successfully managed all aspects of the training and development function (including staff, budget and resources) during a major period of change, which led to the City Treasurer’s Department being recognised as one of the leading Local Authority Finance operations in the UK, Show less

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  MOL Learn

  Jan 2000 - Jan 2010

  Responsible for all aspects of the strategic direction of MOL, a highly successful, multi-million £ flexible/blended learning provider. As Director, successfully developed a portfolio of eagerly sought training programmes and business services that embraced the areas of management, HRM/D, construction, engineering, property and the electrical and materials distribution sector. In doing so, positioned MOL as one of the UK's leading flexible/blended learning providers, with delivery across all geographic areas and business sectors of the UK. Established a number of UK-wide and regional strategic partnerships with Sector Skills Councils, Sector/Trade Associations, Professional Bodies and clients from the private, public and third sectors, with sole or preferred provider status and repeat business being the norm. Managed MOL’s Senior Management Team of 5, 80 members of staff located in Manchester and over 100 tutors, markers and assessors who were located across all areas of the UK. This included the performance management, development, mentoring and coaching of staff.Increased MOL’s turnover by 400% during the period 2006 to 2010, broadening MOL's portfolio immensely and recruited almost 9000 learners per annum.Personally secured a unique strategic partnership with the CIPD for MOL to exclusively deliver CIPD Flexible Learning+ at 21 locations across the UK. Planned, resourced and implemented all aspects of the successful infrastructure to support this.Established long-term and highly lucrative strategic partnerships with Sector Skills Councils, Sector/Trade Bodies, Professional Bodies and major clients in a wide range of business sectors across all areas of the UK and overseas, based on high quality, client/learner-centred provision.Remains the most successful leader in MOL's history. Show less Was responsible for the strategic management of MOL’s highly successful portfolio of CIPD Programmes. This included Business Planning, policy formulation and putting structures in place at all levels to ensure success in delivery across all areas of the UK and overseas.Managed the overall programme/curriculum development activities at MOL, all support/delivery staff and related budgets. Was responsible for attracting and engaging clients/partners both across the UK and overseas.Achievements included: - Doubled the MOL CIPD Programmes learner numbers and income whilst in post between 2001-03,- Reduced inherited delivery venue costs by 50%, saving a considerable six figure sum per annum,- Developed and delivered UK-wide,a suite of Leading CIPD Programmes (from Levels 3 to 7), a dedicated Masters in HR Programme and accredited Level 7 Diplomas in Learning & Development and Employment Law,- Established a MOL ‘Enquiry Team’ (Call Centre) and implemented a highly effective CRM system,- Successfully restructured the MOL CIPD Team and introduced effective performance management plus a high-energy, winning culture within the team,- Won a number of major delivery contracts in the face of stiff competition from major providers. This included contracts in the Public and Private Sectors, plus ‘preferred provider’ status from organisations within those sectors and the Third Sector. These contracts helped to position MOL as the UK’s leading CIPD provider, - Revolutionised MOL’s marketing and publicity collateral with cutting-edge creatives that became a feature of MOL’s branding/campaigns. These resulted in MOL’s CIPD learner numbers doubling between 2001 and 2003 ,- Introduced MOL’s first website and successfully introduced a high profile approach to exhibiting (including branding, stand design and successfully engaging with attendees at the events. This became a feature of MOL’s presence at exhibitions to date and resulted in high conversion rates of business. Show less Within this post, undertook the tasks outlined for the post of CIPD Programmes Manager in a ‘Deputy’ capacity and had full responsibility for the complex quality assurance side of the UK-wide programmes.Achievements included:- Established a quality management framework for all areas of MOL’s programmes,- Ensured compliance with all aspects of Professional and Awarding Body requirements,- Developed and introduced quality procedures and processes for the recruitment, training and utilisation of tutors to enable MOL to grow/operate successfully across all areas of the UK,- Introduced an extensive system of programme reviews for all of MOL’s programmes,- Developed and successfully implemented contract, service level agreement and venue quality checklist models for the MOL UK-wide operation,- Introduced a quality-related timetable for all aspects of MOL’s delivery,- Led the redesign of MOL’s CIPD Programmes and refined the delivery model to further meet the needs of clients and learners,- Developed an evaluation mechanism to ensure that feedback was obtained from learners at each of MOL’s workshops, from all learners on a periodic basis and from clients,- Introduced an extensive series of programme handbooks for learners and clients that were deemed to be 'best in class' by the CIPD. 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  • Director

    Jan 2003 - Jan 2010

  • National CIPD Programmes Manager

    Jan 2001 - Jan 2003

  • Quality Manager

    Jan 2000 - Jan 2001
• 

  Clardew

  Jan 2010 - Jan 2012

  Director

  Established own management consultancy and training business. Responsible for all aspects of the management of the organisation including business/financial planning, development of services, business development/marketing, logistical infrastructure, bid writing, recruitment of Associate staff, service delivery and business reviews.Successfully completed a range of projects and assignments in the private and public sectors, both as Clardew and as an Associate on behalf of major organisations. Show less

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  Trinity Business Training

  Jan 2012 - Jan 2013

  Head Of Higher Skills - Management & Enterprise

  Responsible for the strategic direction and leadership of Management and Enterprise Programmes at Levels 4 to 7 across Salford City College via its Trinity Business Training operation. These were new areas of provision for the College.Achievements included:- The development of a range of Higher Level Management and HR Programmes that were designed to meet the needs of clients and learners within the Greater Salford area,- Approval from professional and awarding bodies to deliver the programmes,- The development of creative blends to ensure that the delivery was innovative, the experience of learners was optimised and that the College had a major USP over local colleges/providers,- Capacity building to ensure that resources were in place at all levels to achieve success and to provide maximum flexibility for programmes to be delivered as required by the College and specific clients. This included implementing a UK-wide operational infrastructue, - The development of a range of high quality marketing collateral and associated social media to maximise the impact and outreach of the management and enterprise programmes to employers and professional learners,- The development of a range of management-orientated interventions and related marketing collateral to further strategic alliances with Sector Skills Councils,- The addition of a wide range of new organisations to the College’s client base. Show less

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  Clardew Ltd

  Jan 2013 - now

  Managing Director

  Re-established, and significantly broadened, a previously successful consultancy business, specialising in the following areas:- Organisational Development & HRD Strategy,- Leadership Development,- ‘Wow Factor’ learning methodologies, including blended/flexible, 24/7 and MLearning,- Effective workforce development,- ‘Growing Your Horizons’ – significantly growing your client base, including creative business development and client management,- Business Improvement,- Exceptional customer service,- Leading-edge marketing,- Professional programmes & qualifications training,- Advising CIPD/Management Programmes providers on strategy to enable major growth in business, - Accessing funding,- Coaching and Mentoring.From June 2015, have entered into an exciting Strategic Partnership with the UK's leading provider of professional programmes - watch this space! Show less