Our People

Robin Thirlwell

Robin is a Chartered Management Accountant with 25 years of hands-on and management experience,

specializing in finance.  As an operational accountant Robin has created and lead business improvement

initiatives in almost a dozen different industries, specializing in financial management, control and profit

Robin has recruited and developed a number of finance teams, and put in place new systems, controls and

processes to manage the finances and operations of high-tech manufacturing, research and development,

Robin has added to his technical competencies in the areas of taxation, financial and management

accounting with an A1 NVQ Assessor qualification and has been a leading member of a culture change

programme in a 400 person organization, where he was voted one of top three most influential people in the

organisation in terms of change management.

Phil Thomas

If you are reading this you want to know about me quickly; so I won’t beat around the bush!

I find the intellectual challenge of new situations and problems irresistible; though I am not an academic.  I have

migrated towards those jobs and appointments where there is a need to initiate something new, or resolve an

issue, because I will see and feel impelled to suggest improvements.  My strength is in identifying how to do

something, and my satisfaction is seeing that achieved.  I don’t do well with routine!

I grew and developed into the leader and manager I am today during a military career which I am proud of.  In

that tough environment, to lead others, you must be personally and intellectually strong willed.  Weakness and

indecision does not encourage others to get things done or to do great things themselves.  If I were to describe

myself, without trying to mollify you the reader, I would tell you honestly that I am direct and I realise that some

people do not find that comfortable.  I am goal focused and I will seek to influence people to get the results that I see as achievable;

in my own mental image of success.  I am a tough visionary leader who makes things happen and when I am seeking to achieve

those results I value good reasoning in others and the intellectual challenge that brings. 

Things that I have done... early on I got my hands dirty working with machines and people; learning to be a

manager and leader.  Latterly I designed a devolved system of global training for 7,000 personnel, including

new technical procedures.  Improved and introduced a system for assessing vehicle operators.   Devised a

system for collecting operational information (data) and co-ordinated the analysis; including the directing of

research scientists.  Quality assurance, problem identification and solution, and updating procedures and

training for British Army recruiting.  Devised and instigated a UK wide Professional Development Programme

to extend training after residential courses with the intention of improving not only skills but also

organisational engagement through management tiers and departments.

Daniel Carey

Daniel has enjoyed a 30 year career in management and business development, starting in management

and personnel in London before moving to financial management, business development, and regulatory

compliance in the financial services sector in London. After a number of years as a university MBA lecturer

and a college manager, Daniel returned to the world of business development, co-founding with Phil

Thomas a national accreditation and assessment centre serving the armed forces, local Government, the

third sector, national employers and SME’s.

In addition to his ‘day job’ implementing new, business improvement-focused, nationally recognised and

accredited programmes to the market, Daniel, an experienced manager, trainer, assessor and consultant in

business and management, is also a director of a number of organisations and the chairman of the

Chartered Management Institutes’ Wessex region.