Head of Law and Research

• Jun 2018 - Present

Author of IRRV responses to Government Consultations and Parliamentary Committees of Inquiry, as part of work as the IRRV Faculty Boards Co-ordinator. Over 90 responses submitted over last five years on revenues, benefits, rating valuation and associated matters. Consultancy roles in recent years have covered: process review for a government department (Ireland) operational reviews of shared services in several local authority partnership settings; revenues and benefits processes health checks; harmonisation of the full range of revenues and benefits policies for a three-way shared service; and an analysis of the customer interface within a customer services function.

Policy and Research Manager

• 2012 - Jun 2018

Policy and Research Projects Co-ordinator

• 2001 - 2012

Head of Policy and Research

• 1998 - 2001

Head of Policy and Research

• 1989 - 1996

Responsible for the Institute’s policy and research programme and its range of publications and employer membership services.Produced a comparative study on behalf of the Scottish Executive regarding factors giving rise to low council tax collection rates in Scotland. Involved close working with senior civil servants and local authority representatives. Report commended by one Scottish Law Commissioner as, “truly excellent, throwing shafts of light on the issues faced.”Co-ordinated network meetings of revenues best value pilot sites; as part of IRRV commitment to assist practitioners in sharing their best value experiences. Led the development of a Best Value Guidance Manual aimed primarily at local authority revenues and benefits staff; also produced and launched a report on the first-year experiences of the revenues and benefits best value pilot sites.Represented IRRV in high level meetings with Government Departments, professional and representative bodies and local government organisations. Developed a national network of practitioner meetings for over 280 local authorities; produced two technical magazines six times a year and provided a technical helpline for subscribing authorities.Negotiated annual section budgets and achieved turnover on products and services in excess of £400k per annum.Regular speaker for both professional and lay audiences large and small. Chairperson for technical meetings and workshops. As media spokesperson, responsible for promoting IRRV viewpoints on legislative and technical matters.

Consultant

• 1987 - 1989

Developed, marketed and presented training courses on the then newly-introduced community charge, working closely with key local authority officers and members of different political backgrounds.Undertook a project for a major computer supplier to review resource requirements for the implementation of community charge.