Advent Calendar of Feedback - 2021

As a lot of people here already know, in the run up to Christmas I thought I'd try something new this year – Instead of the traditional ‘open a door and get a chocolate’ each day, I instead created a virtual advent calendar and on each day gave feedback to some of the many awesome people I have worked with over the years.? It covered my entire professional career to date, with some proper throw backs to Syntegra Grad Program right through to working on NHS Test and Trace.

This article is the consolidated list of people who featured ‘behind every door’ in this year's advent of feedback. I really wasn’t sure of the type of reception it would get but people have been universally positive with a number saying they will steal the idea for next year. From my perspective, it's been really nice to take some time to reflect on so many different teams and individuals I’ve been lucky enough to work with.? It's also been really nice to reconnect to a few folks I haven’t spoken to in quite some time.?

So, the full list:

Day 1 - John Logan - Going right back to the start and my first manager - John was my first manager when I was fresh out of university on the Syntegra Graduate scheme. He was an inspirational leader, fair but challenging, utterly unflappable and supportive throughout those formative months – all in all, a brilliant role model! John had far more impact on me than I suspect he knows such is his humble nature.

Day 2 - James O'Sullivan - And so to door number 2 and jumping all the way forward to my time on the test and trace programme – James is a formidable transformation leader with an eye to detail that is second to none.? He is tenacious and committed, ensuring delivery to time, cost and quality.? An absolute asset to anyone lucky enough to have him on their team.

Day 3 - Angie Born - On advent day 3 we head to my time in Australia with the amazing Hiser team - I was lucky enough to have Angie in my team during my time leading Hiser.? She brings a deep level of expertise in the field of User Experience (more latterly service design), applies an extremely sharp mind and has a client engagement style second to none.? She was also brilliant to work with (as I’m sure the team would attest)???

Day 4 - Nathan Day - For day 4 I’m going back to financial services (team Takhar) - I worked with Nathan during the heady days of Syntegra Trading Systems.? I’ve always considered myself to be a bit techie (don’t laugh Nath) but Nathans aptitude for all things ‘technology’ puts me to shame.? An inquiring mind, a first class work ethos and an inner child that isn’t going anywhere soon makes Nath one of life's true entrepreneurs.? And we laughed a lot!!?

Day 5 - Kristine Pitts - So on to day 5 and my time at ExperienceLab - Kristine is one of the most dedicated and loyal individuals I have been fortunate enough to work with, facing off to some pretty challenging times together .? She has a true passion for all things User Centred which, for those individuals lucky enough to work with her, comes out through in everything she delivers.

Day 6 - James Neill - Moving on to the unparalleled (make of that what you will) city of Peterborough -? I worked with James during our time at Serco Consulting and specifically on the Peterborough City Council programme.? James is probably the best, most rigorous and dedicated programme director I have worked with. His attention to detail, compulsion to see things through to completion and general laser focus on delivery is second to none.?

Day 7 - Stephanie Gray Roberts - I was lucky enough to work with Steph on an amazing initiative called Serco Cares. She brings a depth of health care expertise born out of real experience that adds considerable value wherever it is used.? She brings a humility and integrity that is a pretty rare commodity these days, manifesting itself through a genuinely collaborative style.? Above all of this though, she really cares about people.

Day 8 - Ian Morley - Jumping back to the incredible experience that Test and Trace has been and specifically to the Home Channel team – Ian played an instrumental role in operating, improving, and expanding the NHS Test and Trace Home Delivery channel as part of the UKs defence against the COVID-19 pandemic. Time and time again he proved himself to be second to none in responding to incidents, driving excellence in BAU and generally being able to handle whatever the pandemic threw at him. A consummate professional and someone I could utterly rely on.?

Day 9 - Mike Johnson - And so to Businesslink.gov.uk and working with the unique individual that is Mike Johnson -? As a senior project manager within a team focused on digital development, he continuously demonstrated how tenacious, resilient and outcome oriented he is. He is a ‘you get what you see on the tin’ individual which cements a level of integrity in how he operates and ensures he builds very strong relationships with those he works with. He also injects a sense of fun into any team he is part of.

Day 10 - Liz Benison - Regardless of the breadth of her role and the seniority of her position, she always made time to engage with individuals and teams across the business, encouraging each and every one of us. One of the things that struck me most was the fact she was operating in a very male dominated environment but held her ground, stayed true to her values and brought a desperately needed diversity to our senior leaders. People focused, objective, fair, supportive and so much more.? In a similar fashion to my Day 1 individual, I suspect Liz does not realise just how much of an impact she has had on me (and countless others) - Thankyou

Day 11 - Greg Payne - Almost at the midpoint, day 11 - And an individual that I will start by making an apology to, for being utterly useless at staying in touch (sorry mate)! - I worked for Greg back in the good old days of NPFIT (if you know, you know).? Despite it being an extremely tough programme I can honestly say I had the most fun of my professional career during my time working for Greg. He brings a style which ensures the job gets done but with humour and laughter on the way. This might sound trivial to some but it was so critically important in bringing the team together. A fantastic boss, a frustrated entrepreneur and just someone that will always bring huge value to those he has around him.?PS. Poor quality pic but I believe it's from a workshop we ran together on the maternity care pathway (14 years ago….)!!

Day 12 - Paul Martin – Paul worked for me at ExperienceLabs, heading up our Business Development function at a time when the business was going through significant periods of change. His commitment, tenacity and continual focus on opportunity development and closure was incredible. He is creative in his approach and has the ability to look at things differently, best demonstrated in his role as one of the architects to the ground breaking Serco Cares programme.? In addition, he acted as a sounding board and a mentor to me during our time together.

Day 13 - Mike Floyd – Mike worked for me on two separate occasions, once when I was running Hiser and more latterly he came over to the UK and worked with me at ExperienceLabs.? Mike brings a wealth of experience and applies it with a calm, stabilising approach – creating all-important team cohesion. He quickly establishes himself as something of a coach to the teams he works within, becoming the ‘go to’ when individuals need guidance or a sounding board.? A valuable addition to any team and also just a thoroughly nice bloke!?

Day 14 - Jappy Takhar - Jappy is one of those unusual managers who was able to create a real sense of entrepreneurship despite operating in a heavily constrained corporate environment. He cultivated a team with a real focus on opportunity, pushing and supporting each one of us outside of our comfort zones (DrKW being a good example..). His leadership meant we got access to some leading (and often bleeding) edge technology, some fascinating challenges which, all in all, meant some brilliant experiences!???

Day 15 - Garry Robinson - I worked with Garry as part of a joint leadership team at Serco.? He was a brilliant colleague, always looking out for others and offering support.? He led an extremely complex and fast moving part of the business but continually gave the impression ‘his world’ was simple.? It was this humility and the associated integrity (as his team will attest), that really stands Garry out. A brilliant leader, a brilliant colleague and just a top bloke.?

Day 16 - Adam Strickland - I worked with Adam on Defence Business Services (DBS), developing an MI tool to support the programme. Not only did he bring significant technical expertise but he did this alongside first class client management.? Always responding in a positive fashion to client needs (occasionally ridiculous in nature), creating a genuine collaboration, focused on delivery. Even during some considerable pressure in the early days of DBS, working with Adam and MooD was a really enjoyable experience. And drinking way too much cider in Bristol was fun too (if you are reading this outloud in your head, please apply a suitable west country twang..)?????

Day 17 - Bridget Spencer - We worked together (and still do) on Test and Trace - Bridget is one of the most talented data experts I have ever worked with. Passionate, incensive, tenacious and utterly committed to whatever she is focused on. Time and time again she has worked ‘nothing short of miracles’ to be able to provide critical information to the programme (for example - she was one of a small number of people critical to finding the missing VOC that was mentioned in parliament and the media in the summer). She has built a brilliant team and has the respect of everyone she works with. I feel extremely lucky to have her on my team!? She also has a wicked sense of humour!!???

Day 18 - Martin Southern – Going back a good few years now (18 years ago in fact...), Martin and I worked together at BT and specifically up in Edinburgh (with the City of Edinburgh Council).? He was a lead consultant at the time, providing sage advice and guidance throughout my time in Edinburgh.? Martin brought quite an unusual combination of being exceptionally smart, senior and utterly accessible. I have some brilliant memories of ‘pushing the boundaries’ with CEC in relation to their use of mobile technology, none of which would have happened with Martin's leadership and support.?

Day 19 - Ian Crichton (carrying on the Scottish theme) - Ian was MD of Serco’s Health division when I worked for him. He is a strong leader, setting clear, unambiguous objectives. He expects a lot but, in turn, provides support, direction, challenge and, most importantly, trust in individuals to get things done. This was exemplified when, despite running a large and complex health business, he found the time to really engage on Serco Cares, an innovative project that focused on the positive effect staff behaviours could have on patient outcomes -? a piece of work that others in his position would have considered a ‘distraction’. Thanks Ian for the constant incisive challenge but, in equal measure, support and backing!

Day 20 - Mike Stone – I was lucky enough to work for Mike on Defence Business Service, both during the bid phase (which we won) and in the mobilisation of the service.? Mike is a natural leader, bringing absolute clarity of direction setting and, as such, driving cohesion through a shared set of objectives. I don’t think Mike will mind me describing his style as ‘unapologetic’ as it is this which assured the success of DBS and with it, success for the collective team who delivered it.? Some very challenging times but equally some extremely rewarding times.??

Day 21- Andy Crossley – Andy and I worked together on BT’s Mobility Practice (mobile working tech not mobility scooters before anyone asks) – Andy brings 1st class client management, a sharp mind and a willingness to role up his sleeves and get on with whatever is required.? He reminded me recently of some ‘entertaining’ times up in Edinburgh and the perils of dealing with cutting edge technologies as well as the tenacity he brought to resolve the challenges. As per so many on this calendar, I have some brilliant memories of working with Andy.? As for the picture, ski holiday…. you are welcome!!

Day 22 - Phil Yendell (not on LinkedIn so tagged my sister - @nena) - A slightly different one for today with an individual (my brother in law for full disclosure) who, whilst I have not worked directly with, has had a profound impact on my professional (and personal) life. Phil is a dairy farmer and is arguably one of the hardest working individuals I know (putting our corporate ‘its been a long week’ to shame).? Not only does he work extremely tough hours but he brings a level of professionalism to his job that outsiders might find difficult to comprehend.? Being a dairy farmer is not just about working anti-social hours and grafting - to be good at it you need to truly understand your animals, understand the farm and ultimately understand the craft - in short, genuine expertise gained though many years of application.? It is Phil's work ethic, his humility, his unwavering positivity which I constantly use as a yardstick to keep things in perspective and remind myself of how privileged I am.? Photo is very early (5am) on Christmas morning 2020!

Day 23 - Neil Ashworth - Well, I’m pretty certain this will be a popular one - As anyone who has been fortunate enough to work with Neil will attest, he is something of a legend. Extremely hard working, unflappable in the face of challenge, supportive (and protective) of his team and just an all round great leader.? He brings a style that people naturally gravitate to, impervious to the pretensions of grade and hierarchy, generous with his time and single minded in focusing on the task at hand. I feel exceptionally lucky to have had the opportunity to work with Neil and hope the opportunity presents itself again in the future.

Day 24 - Amelia Nicholls, Mark Hewlett and Mike Hegarty - Possibly quite a predictable one and a bit of a cheat (3 people on one day).? Also, day 24 is the final day of advent (as far as I’m concerned) so this is the last one for this year (despite the fact the calendar shows a door 25)….. - Amelia Nicholls, Mark Hewlett and Mike Hegarty - I have been working with these three on the Test and Trace programme and I don’t think you could find a more committed, resilient, tenacious trio.? The programme has asked the impossible and these three have constantly and repeatedly stepped up to the plate. I would be remiss though not to throw the net a lot wider and acknowledge every single person who has worked tirelessly on Test and Trace over the last 21 months. An incredible team, an incredible achievement (and still delivering) with some amazing people.?