Experience

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  Thatcham Research

  • Thatcham, England, United Kingdom

  • Technical Trainer & IAEA Examiner

    • Dec 2020 - Present
    • Thatcham, England, United Kingdom

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  Thatcham

  • United Kingdom
  • Research Services
  • 200 - 300 Employee

  • Lead Repair Research Project Engineer

    • Apr 2015 - Jan 2020

    Lead Repair Research Project Engineer, Thatcham Research I have been project managing and leading technical research projects across the company. As part of my work i have project managed and led a strategic global, multi-national project investigating effects of paint, repair and materials on vehicle radars and advanced driver assistance safety systems performance. The findings of this project when completed could influence future work practices within the UK repair industry, RADAR manufacture and Vehicle Manufacturer design. I have also project managed and led initial research into the functionality and calibration requirements of camera systems behind the windscreens of vehicles. The results of this project led to industry wide guidelines on calibration requirements and enabled strategic decision making by the Thatcham Research board members on future work

  • Lead Research Project Engineer

    • Jan 2014 - Mar 2015

    Lead Research Project Engineer, Thatcham Research I managed and led a project on the assessment of future UK accident repair costs, time, training and quality for new vehicle types to enable strategic decision making in the insurance industry. An important aspect of this was how environmental and societal changes impact mobility and vehicle use. The completion of this project resulted in a crucial fact base to enable Thatcham Research board members to make critical strategic decisions on how the company move forward to develop and assist the UK insurance and vehicle repair industries.

  • Research Engineer

    • Feb 2011 - Jan 2014

    Research Engineer, Thatcham Research I designed and ran research projects to develop guidelines around emerging vehicle technologies. Successfully completed, all UK vehicles going through the research centre now have decision making guidelines available through the company vehicle assessing tool to enable safe and accurate repairs at the right cost. Another aspect to the role was to Partner with product development teams.

  • Paint Research Engineer

    • Aug 2006 - Feb 2011

    Paint Research Engineer, Thatcham Researchi was employed to identify, manage and take ownership of Paint Research projects ensuring accurate, quality and timely delivery within the budget set to both internal and external customers. Accurate paint times and costs for both repair and replacement of panels have been successfully implemented with the potential of massive savings for the UK insurance industry. I provided consultancy on paint and painting techniques, I specified and implemented paint estimation tools.I was part of a team that successfully implemented a paint warranty system for one of the worlds’ most prestige sports car manufacturers’, saving in excess of one hundred thousand pounds per year

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  Carter & Carter Group

  • Accident Repair Development Consultant

    • Sep 2003 - Aug 2006

    Accident Repair Development Consultant, Carter and Carter GroupI was employed through Carter and Carter to work with and develop an Accident Repair Programme for the vehicle manufacture Toyota. The role included delivering full detailed Business Plans to Bodyshops to improve turnover and overall Gross Profit. To work with the Bodyshops and the Centres and analyze training requirements, potential causes for concern within there business and assist them in overcoming these concerns, whether it is new workshop loading systems, introducing Management systems or adjusting and improving systems already in place to maximise efficiency and utilization of staff and equipment.I was Involved in a variety of projects for example with DuPont Performance Coatings to understand the cost of paint Ready for Use across different Paint Manufactures for different finishes and how that affects the estimates with costs allowed resulting in increased or decreased profitability. On-site coaching in the commercial and technical sides of the business to include Estimating, Bookings, Workshop Loading, Paint Management and Quality Control.I was employed to work with Dealer Principals, Market Area Partners and Toyota GB Directors on a constant basis to deliver a high quality service through a measurable business improvement structure at every level.This role requires the utmost dedication and determination to succeed and the ability to work at the highest level within the Motor Industry as well as with technicians, receptionists and drivers, understand all there requirements and deliver results in a professional manner at all levels.

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  Reading Audi / Bodytechnics LTD

  • Bodyshop Manager

    • Apr 2001 - Sep 2003

    Bodyshop Manager, Reading Audi / Bodytechnics Ltd I was employed as a Manager for Reading Audi and then moved with Audi to Bodytechnics Ltd, taking responsibility for all the Bodyshop requirements. This role includes the management of 19 staff members, budgets, estimating and invoicing. Also communicating with and satisfying customer’s needs. The role also includes the highest degree of quality control checks throughout the repair procedure, whether minor or major work has been carried out. All the very latest equipment is used to keep the Vehicle Manufactures warranties in tact.This is a high profile role and requires precise decision- making when dealing with Manufactures’ as exclusive as Porsche, Audi, Volkswagen and Saab as well as the general public, in order to deliver the results all parties expect.

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  Self emloyed

  • Home Counties

  • Vehicle Insurance Assessor

    • Feb 2000 - Mar 2001
    • Home Counties

    Vehicle Insurance Assessor, Self Employed A Self- Employed Vehicle Insurance Assessor i worked for numerous insurance companies across the whole of the south of England. Making decisions in a wide variety of situations relating to all aspects of motor vehicle claims, inspecting small repairs, complete change of body shells and total losses. I have working knowledge of a variety of repair methods including Glassmatix and Audatex. The work requires strong negotiating skills in order to liase with repairers and policyholders on all costs, valuations and repair work.

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  Royal Air Force

  • Paint Sprayer

    • Mar 1986 - Jan 2000

    Paint Sprayer, Royal Air Force I was responsible for the management and supervision of 6 personnel, for a period of five years at R.A.F Benson, the organisational skills required for this included delegation of manpower and work, supervision of these duties to ensure the highest quality finish and the management of the department. This includes paperwork, time management and overall co-ordination of the team, being relied upon to work with initiative and to make decisions at all levels.I was employed on a wide variety of aircraft, ground equipment and vehicles from cars and light commercial vehicles, to fuel tankers and articulated Lorries. All of these have to be carried out to a very high specification, whether there is minor or major body repair work to be completed. I was actively involved in successfully establishing and maintaining the new Puma Aircraft Servicing Flight, which was brought to R.A.F Benson, enabling the fulfillment of the painting requirements necessary to keep the tight schedules required, for the smooth running of the section. This included the set-up of a new paint spraying facility, whereby we were able to produce high quality finishes using the latest equipment.Over the remaining nine years within the Royal Air Force employment was varied after carrying out extensive vehicle body repair and vehicle, and aircraft paint spraying trade training.Employed in motor vehicle spray facilities, carrying out both minor and major repairs on cars, Landrovers, light commercial vehicles, articulated Lorries and armoured tanks. Duties included assessing damage and estimating cost of repair, in relation to how long the vehicle would be out of service from the squadrons. All work was monitored for quality, so standards were very high.Also carried out major and minor refurbishment of various aircraft to include Tornado, Victor, Jaguar and the Hawk Red Arrow Display aircraft.