Ian Smith
National Delivery Director
Ian was appointed National
Delivery Director in March 2010 and is responsible for overseeing
the delivery of all operational contracts for Working Links within
the UK involving 1600 personnel in over 140 locations and an annual
turnover of £140m.
Prior to this Ian has held a
number of senior appointments within Working Links, most
recently as Director responsible for the implementation of the
Flexible New Deal program and prior to this as Regional Director
for London and the South East.
Ian joined Working Links
when it was founded in April 2000 and as one of the first people on
board, Ian was instrumental in building the business from its
roots. Ian led the new Brighton & Hove Employment Zone,
recruiting 30 personnel to create the most successful of the
15 Employment Zone’s initiatives in the UK. He then moved on to
become the Commercial Director in 2003.
Ian has been involved in
several successful flagship projects for Working Links including
the implementation of the £22million Hackney New Deal contract
overseeing the recruitment of 70 personnel including TUPE and
transitional contract liaison with the outgoing contractor
(REED).
Ian came to Working Links from Manpower PLC where he
project managed a £12million Millennium Dome sponsorship
and created a national sales and marketing campaign to
maximise benefit for 300 operational Manpower branches from the
Millennium Dome sponsorship.
Outside of work Ian is the
Chairman for the Damilola Taylor Trust with whom he provides
operational support and guidance on a voluntary basis.
In January 1987, Ian
fulfilled his personal ambition to travel throughout the African
continent, which is where he met his wife. Ian and Susan married in
1990 and have three children. Ian lives in Kent and his hobbies
include walking, reading, fishing and spending time on the beach.
He states that his main personal aim is to one day be able to surf
competently rather than the current skill level of
incompetence.