About...John Kerr

IT/information systems consultant, wordsmith, 'journalist', webweaver, webshop owner and currently...grocer(!)

Below the mugshot, you'll get some idea what John has been doing to earn an honest crust all these years.

It's just dry CV stuff, history that nobody much cares to read anyway. If you're really that bothered, you'll learn more about our exciting new ideas from reading how we got here.

Feb 1999-

Daily Bread Cooperative Ltd

Worker! Also running two independent e-shops called Think Herbal and Putumayo (world music).

Christian grocer (wholefoods)

1997-99

Many a Gem Ltd

Self-employed (well...unemployed actually!)

Freelance writer and websmith

1988-97

Northamptonshire County Council
Corporate HQ

IS Consultant/Strategic Advisor

Independent strategic advice to Chief Officers
Project management
Human Resource systems
Quality assurance
Methods (SSADM, PRINCE)
Capacity planning (mainframe)
Standards
Client side Compulsory Competitive Tendering (CCT)
Project initiation, specification of requirements
Managing contractors
Strategic planning

1986-88

Northamptonshire C C
Education Dept

Information Systems Manager

User coordination
System priorities
Technical management, local area networks
school systems, wide area networks

1979-88

Northamptonshire C C
Computer Services

Software Manager

Mainframe systems
Technical support, compilers, data management
Operating systems (VME, DME, George 3, TPS)

1979

"

Chief Programmer

COBOL, PLAN etc

1972-78

Lincolnshire C C

Senior Programmer

COBOL
Accounting systems
Police systems etc

1970-72

P-E Consulting Group

Contract Programmer

Manufacturing systems
Inventory, stock control, invoicing etc
COBOL, PL/1

1969-70

London Stock Exchange

Programmer

Early real-time systems

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS

In the '70s, designed and wrote a large multi-level accounting suite in COBOL.

Early '80s: masterminded the introduction of a countywide viewdata system for public and private access; gave presentations at public seminars, including the London Barbican.

Mid '80's: pioneered the introduction of viewdata for schools in Northamptonshire.

Late '80s: led a project to determine data, software package and sytem requirements for County human resource systems (HERMES), affecting 25,000 employees.

Early '90s: helped drive the introduction of PRINCE project management methods for County Council IT staff.

Mid '90s: led client side preparation for government required Compulsory Competitive Tendering (CCT) - dropped with change of government.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

John's last full-time job was advising and giving independent strategic direction to Northamptonshire County Council, including presentations at Chief Officer and Member (Councillor) level. NCC is by far the largest employer in the area and John had in-depth experience of most systems ranging from very large to very small. John was formerly a senior manager in the Council's 100-strong IT Department until it was hived off as a separate contracting organisation. Choosing to remain within the client side of the organisation, John had special responsibilities for promoting standards and ensuring quality delivery of information systems in an open competitive environment. This entailed evaluating proposals and occasionally hiring contract staff.

Since taking early retirement at age 50 in June 1997, John took time out to re-train and acquire new Internet skills. He is keen to expand his career into journalism, web publishing, e-commerce and Internet consultancy. John has written for and had articles published in major newspapers and magazines. John has project management skills and might be willing to consider employment on any local web development projects involving html/css, design, editing, or system integration.

SOFTWARE SKILLS

John has knowledge and expertise in many modern software packages, including: WordPerfect Suite 8, Windows xp, Homesite, Paintshop Pro, Microsoft Office, Outlook, browsers, offline readers, shopping cart software etc.

HOBBIES & RECREATION

In the '70s, John edited a Union newsletter for 3000 Council employees. It wasn't bad, considering the technology of the time, and John managed to turn out about 45 issues before leaving town for pastures new.

For the past ten or more years, John has been at times quite heavily involved in charity work for MIND, the mental health campaigner, serving for 8 years as Hon Treasurer. He helped to turn MIND into a limited company and participated in several key appointment panels. John has also been treasurer, small-time, for school PTA's and the like.

Just recently, he dropped all that and was secretary for a while for the Nene Business Network, an informal association of about 40 small, often home-based, businesses. Nowadays, just running Many a Gem ltd has become almost a full-time job.

John is involved with his family and also has hobbies such as reading (fine literature), philately and photography. He has been seen treading the boards at various am-dram productions and has even been known to do a bit of gardening. Since opening the e-shop, an interest in the medicinal properties of herbs has overtaken any other botanical interests.

John has proven integrity and is meticulous with detail (ask the VAT man). He enjoys updating his own and other people's web sites and running a business.

Psst - John also does a bit of creative writing, even poetry when in the mood, but we try to keep that quiet in case friends at the Northampton Writers Circle, or at trAce, the online writing community, find out.

(Last updated Nov 2002)