Associates 1

Geoff Armstrong Until 2000 Geoff was Commercial Director in the MOD responsible for all Underwater and Nuclear projects, negotiating several major contracts including the management of the Aldermaston nuclear facility. Since then, with Sollerta, he has provided advice to Industry bidding for MOD contracts and was the commercial leader within an Industrial team bidding for a PFI project. He has contributed to Seminars informing Industry, including SMEs, of Government procurement opportunities and how to win them. He has also conducted Key Stage Peer Reviews and is qualified as a Team Leader.

Digby Barker has an established track record in advising on Public Sector issues, particularly those related to Procurement and Project/Contract Management. His clients include both public bodies and companies wishing to do business with them, providing advice through CIPS-recognised training sessions, coaching and hands-on assistance with specific cases. He specialises in developing and implementing Business Cases, Procurement Strategies, ITTs and Tender Evaluation schemes; and, from a company perspective: positioning; assessing opportunities, Tender preparation, and Contract negotiation. He also specialises in obtaining satisfactory debriefs on companies’ PQQ responses and Tenders and identifying grounds for possible legal challenges to non-selection and proposed contract awards. An accredited OGC Gateway Reviewer and ERF consultant, Digby has also been engaged by the MoD to undertake Project Assurance Reviews and to advise on aspects of the management of its Research & Technology Programme, on Technology Insertion Guidance and on the Defence Acquisition Change Programme.

Jim Barlow has developed his unique business skills over 20 years in the successful application of the principles of lean manufacture. During this time he has held senior posts in industry setting up International supply chains to support the lean manufacture and assembly of the end product. In 2002 he decided to set up his own consultancy Lean Logistics Ltd to assist businesses to achieve manufacturing excellence. He offers advice and training in lean manufacture, design for manufacture, business planning and quality improvement. He has built up a substantial client base and regularly achieves substantial reductions in operating costs.

James Brennan is a skilled and perceptive business analyst with wide-ranging engineering, manufacturing and commercial experience gained in various industries. He spent 25 years with major defence contractors taking R&D to the market. Later, as Managing Director of a Small to Medium Enterprise (SME), he developed and grew the business before moving to deliver step change improvements to several other SMEs, increasing their turnover and profitability. He moved into the DTI Business Links as Defence & Advanced Technology Adviser for South East England, advising and supporting businesses in diversification, knowledge, technology and science transfer. He then became the Director of the MoD's Diversification Agency for the South of England. He specialises in production engineering, using knowledge and new technologies to achieve change and economic growth.

Nick Bradshaw has built a successful track record over 11 years in the management, marketing and sale of complex technology and software based products and services to a variety of large commercial and government clients. He has lead multidisciplinary teams to secure multimillion dollar strategic business and has fostered long term relationships with these key clients. His own company, Sales-vision.net Ltd offers technology, sales consultancy and training business and supports European and North American companies wishing to grow market share or improve the way they sell in a B2B environment. He has a solid background in project / bid management, complex technology sales, selling techniques, market strategy, new business development and commercial contract negotiations.