Jim Downie

Jim Downie:

  • Chair of the FAR Committee

 

Areas of Expertise/ Specialisms

Former Chair of Governors - Barnby Dun Primary (July 2018 - March 2022)

 

Details of your last three roles

Name

JFD Consulting Ltd

Position

Director

Dates

Nov 22 -

Responsibilities

I am a qualified (APM Chartered) Project Professional with many years' experience in outcome-based delivery, in a variety of operational and strategic roles. I have been part of some of the most complex and far-reaching national change initiatives, in different government Departments. Alongside my delivery assignments I have been an active member and deputy Head of the Project Delivery Profession, working across government with the Infrastructure & Projects Authority (IPA).

I have established JFD Consulting Ltd to offer these skills and experience to the private and public sectors under three main headings: Programme Delivery; Client Side Advice; and Personal & Team Capability.

Name

HMRC

Position

Head of EU Exit Porfolio Office - Senior Manangement in Programme delivery, risk and mitigation, strategy and design.

Dates

July 2018 - Jan 2022

Responsibilities

Senior leadership role in HMRC’s response to the result of the EU Exit referendum. Preparing the UK Border for multiple departure scenarios, working across the Department and with other government departments and external agencies.

D/Head of Project Delivery Profession - overseeing the capability development and deployment of 2.5k project staff – within HMRC and more widely across government through the IPA.

Name

DWP/DHSC

Position

Programme Director Work & Health

Dates

Jan 2017 - June 2018

Responsibilities

Establishment and oversight of 20+projects to create the national environment to help 1m more disabled people into work as part of a 10 year strategy, working with Department of Health, NHS, Local Authorities & private sector

Professional Body Membership(s)

Association for Programme Management - Full Member and Chartered Project Professional

General Areas of Expertise to Support a Trust Board

  • Extensive senior management experience

  • Portfolio, Programme and Project delivery professional

  • Risk and Issue management

  • Finance

  • HR/Capability development

Education Improvement Specific Experience and Skills

Co-creator of government academies in digital and project delivery

Specific Leadership and Skills Experience

A number of senior roles held in a Civil Service career spanning 43 years

HR and Data Handling Specific Experience and Skills

HR capability owner in different government departments creating the strategy and operating environments for the development of thousands of staff.

Extensive experience of data handling and decision making based on analysis.

Finance Specific Experience and Skills

Creator and owner of multi-million pound business cases and the commitment of capital, people and other resources.

Brief comments on why your previous experience is relevant

I bring a depth and range of experience - from policy and strategy development through to design and delivery, driving value and outcomes - which supports the specific aims of the Trust as a whole.

My time at Barnby Dun furnished me with a solid understanding of the delivery of education at the sharp end and I was able to offer my support and advice in the early establishment of the Trust.