James Thomas

Experience

• 

  Edexcel & Pearson UK

  Jan 2000 - Jan 2000

  Administrative Officer

  Delivered office administration duties for the UK’s largest awarding body (academic and vocational qualifications).

• 

  Peter Williams Consultants

  Jan 2001 - Jan 2005

  Project Manager

  Identified tender opportunities, developed commercial leads and responded to invitations: Identified opportunities; Identified delivery team; and developed tender response for sign-off.Project Managed a range of consultancy commissions:o Delivered capacity support for organisations such as Local Authorities and regional agencies; developing economic development and physical regeneration programmes including devising strategies and action plans, securing funding, establishing management teams / working groups, writing tender briefs, appointing and managing technical teams and delivering schemeso Delivered strategies, studies, feasibility studies, business planning, action plans, audience development plans, access plans, socio-economic profiling and evaluation exercises, encompassing area /place management, policy review, programme development and identifying opportunities for development sites and adaptive reuse or redevelopment of buildings. Show less

• 

  Thames Estuary Partnership

  Jan 2001 - Jan 2001

  Database Officer

  Developed the Thames Estuary Research Forum database and bibliography.Overhauled database content and functionality to improve efficient and effective use of resources.Consulted with and encouraged discussion amongst researchers, regulators and users who share an interest in the Thames Estuary.

• 

  University of Portsmouth

  Jan 2001 - Jan 2001

  Delivered an economic survey of the UK fishing fleet on behalf of the Sea Fish Industry Authority and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to enable it to collect economic data (that satisfies European Commission requirements) and provide scientists / others responsible for the management of fisheries with essential information and analysis. Developed a Coastal Zone Management Plan for the Dalyan region of Turkey. Consulted with stakeholders, assessed competing demands and environmental impacts of all users and incorporated within an actionable plan for the region.

  • Research Fellow

    Jan 2001 - Jan 2001

  • Research Project

    Jan 2001 - Jan 2001
• 

  The Means

  Jan 2005 - now

  A Company Director for a consultancy specialising in cross public sector and community working, private sector engagement, economic development, regeneration, planning and public/private joint ventures. I specialise in planning & development, project / programme management, strategy development, monitoring & reviews, financial management and management consultancy. I regularly work with national & regional governments, local authorities, third sector and the private sector in both the UK and overseas.I have extensive experience of designing and delivering economic development programmes and regeneration plans with funding from local, national and trans-national government sources and from the private sector. Show less Lead role, alongside the other Partners, in the management and development of the business, including team management, generating opportunities and winning new business.Designed, developed and implemented business strategy and strategic plans for the organisation.Delivered (jointly) the day-to-day operation of the company.Represented the business at senior meetings and events.Pro-active and leading role in developing new clients and new proposal opportunities. Established new clients and grew geographical areas of operation - gained a stronger presence in wider and allied fields of activity.Developed new product ranges allied to ‘place making’ ‘place shaping’ and ‘area management’.Managed relationships with key clients and provided advice on a variety of projects: Acted as Project Director / Project Manager; Technical leadership; Financial management; and generated additional commercial opportunities.Instigated, developed and awarded an Investors In People Accreditation (an independently assessed National Standard award) for the company in people management. Show less Lead role, alongside the other Partners, in the management and development of the business, including team management, generating opportunities and winning new business.Designed, developed and implemented business strategy and strategic plans for the organisation.Delivered (jointly) the day-to-day operation of the company.Represented the business at senior meetings and events.Pro-active and leading role in developing new clients and new proposal opportunities. Established new clients and grew geographical areas of operation - gained a stronger presence in wider and allied fields of activity.Developed new product ranges allied to ‘place making’ ‘place shaping’ and ‘area management’.Managed relationships with key clients and provided advice on a variety of projects: Acted as Project Director / Project Manager; Technical leadership; Financial management; and generated additional commercial opportunities. Show less Managed the Company’s day-to-day operational activitiesDeveloped company policies and procedures including: Quality Assurance; Data Protection; Environmental; Health and Safety; Equal Opportunities.Identified business development and project opportunities through discussions with prospective clients, keeping abreast of changes to policies and programmes at local, regional, national and international levels and securing inclusion on preferred supplier tender lists and tender portals.Lead role on tender opportunities, identified commercial leads and responded to invitations: Identified opportunities; Assessed success factors with Partners; Identified delivery team; Developed tender response for Partner sign-off; and managed contractual negotiations with client.Project Managed a range of consultancy commissions: Capacity support; Economic development; Physical regeneration programmes; Monitoring and financial management, programme budgeting and review processes; Evaluation studies and economic impact studies; Community and business consultation exercises; Socio-economic research; Delivering strategies, studies, feasibility studies, business planning, action plans. Show less

  • Director

    Jan 2013 - now

  • Partner

    Jan 2013 - now

  • Partner

    Jan 2010 - Jan 2013

  • Project Manager / Practice Manager

    Jan 2005 - Jan 2010