People
Meet our consultants with a proven track record in commercial management excellence
David Ward, BEng (Hons), DipM, MRAeS - Chief Executive and Managing Consultant
Apart from leading the company, David is the course director for all of our bid and proposal workshops, as well as the commercial awareness and CRM workshops. A successful career in aerospace and defence in the UK and USA allowed him to work with NASA astronauts and the best flight control companies in the world. In 1997 he founded Aligned Solutions and is recognised as a leading bid writing authority in the UK. He is also a PRINCE2 registered practitioner.
Steve Hill, CB, OBE - Senior Consultant
Steve Hill has a long and distinguished career in Aerospace and Defence in both the Public and Private sectors, and is an expert in strategic change management in large organisations. He was awarded the OBE following services during the Falklands War in 1984, and a CB in the 2004 New Years Honours list. Steve is an accredited mentor and coach, leading our work in the field of negotiation.
Mike Hartley, BSc (Hons), DipMM, MIET, CEng – Senior Consultant
Mike is an accomplished general manager/director with mergers and acquisitions experience. He co-founded Amsys Rapid Prototyping Ltd with a management buy-out and was project director at the world-leading Centre of Excellence for Life Sciences in Newcastle. He brings a unique outlook to strategic planning, coaching and mentoring in the private and public sectors.
Philip McClintock, MBA FCCA – Senior Consultant
From a background in the City of London, Phil was recently a Finance Director of a company which made several acquisitions and was ultimately sold. He has a thorough understanding of corporate finance in SMEs and recently completed an Executive MBA at the University of Newcastle Business School, achieving exceptional marks in Strategy and a distinction overall.
Gordon Kirkup, BSc (Hons), MBA – Senior Consultant
A proven strategic planner and project manager, Gordon has a strong commercial background and extensive international experience in Russia, China and the Middle East. His track record includes establishing new businesses and introducing new technology.
Rod Perks, DipIM – Senior Consultant
A highly experienced & successful General Manager and Operations Director, Rod has worked within complex, multi-site, high-tech, international, engineering & manufacturing sectors. He has proven commercial, financial & operational management experience within Capital Plant, Defence, Automotive, Marine & Aerospace. He has been particularly busy with manufacturing integration, transfers, outsourcing and process re-engineering.
Joanne Brown, BSc - Consultant
Joanne has many years experience in project delivery and strategy work. She delivers business support projects geared at improving services for SMEs. Her work addresses a variety of needs, such as rural areas, environmental, ICT and women's business support. Joanne's experience includes undertaking 'project evaluation' work and using 'research' to write and win bids from public and private sector opportunities.
Kirstie Taylor, DipM, MCIM, SIDM – Consultant
A marketing professional with national and international expertise in B2B and B2C environments, Kirstie was previously marketing manager for Cels Business Services Ltd. She is a registered practitioner of the PRINCE2 project management methodology.
