DriveTech (UK) plc has four board directors – Chris Howell, Jim Kirkwood, Robin Pugh and Nick Barley – who provide pro-active, hands-on leadership of the business.

Chris Howell - Chairman

Chris set up DriveTech in 1990, after ten years with Thames Valley Police. As Chairman and owner of DriveTech, he is well known within the industry for the quality-based business that he created and built. Chris is responsible for the analysis of marketplace, mergers & acquisitions as well as identifying new technology solutions that enable new, innovative and blended training approaches.

Jim Kirkwood - Managing Director

Jim joined DriveTech in February 2004. Jim has extensive commercial and corporate experience having held senior leadership positions within a number of “blue chip” companies such as Eastman Kodak Company, LG Electronics, Infobank International, Barclays and Fujitsu-Siemens. Jim is responsible for setting DriveTech’s go-to-market strategy and managing day-to-day operations.

Robin Pugh - Non-Executive Director

Robin joined the board in October 2004 focusing on developing long-term business partnerships that will strengthen and extend DriveTech’s considerable business portfolio. Robin holds various other executive and non-executive positions within a number of businesses including Shepley Group and CORE Investments Limited.  He is a founding director and partner in Axis International Limited and works with many institutional investors and clearing banks.

Nick Barley - Non-Executive Director

Nick joined the board in March 2007 with special responsibility for strategic planning and innovation. Nick is Vice President of Marketing, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) for Computer Associates, with responsibility for all direct and indirect marketing throughout the region. Prior to joining CA, Nick spent five years at Microsoft Ltd. as Chief Marketing Officer. His professional background covers sales and marketing roles, the enterprise and small business sectors and systems engineering. Nick has a Bachelor of Arts honours (BA Hons) degree in Economics, and a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Economic and Regional Planning from the University of Reading.

Sarah Austin - FleetSafe Customer Care

Sarah is responsible for managing the customer relationships within DriveTech. She manages the complete end-to-end course delivery process through a team of dedicated administrators and customer care personnel who look after each individual DriveTech customer. Using her extensive experience of customer care delivery both in the UK and Europe, Sarah ensures that all trainers across the UK are in the right place, at the right time with the right information.

Alison Crump - Driving At Work Programmes

Alison joined DriveTech in January 2003 and brought with her 10 years of fleet and risk management experience with a major pharmaceutical company. Alison has hands-on experience of launching and implementing a fleet safety programme and won the accolade of the Fleet News Risk Manager of the Year in 2002. As well as managing some major accounts, Alison heads up the DriveTech Corporate Risk Team and ensures delivery of corporate risk assessments, driving licence/at work documentation checks and policy writing.

Steve Fothergill - Advantage

Steve joined DriveTech from the AA where he held a number of operational and general management roles. Latterly he was Fleet & Strategic Projects Manager at the AA Driving School. Steve heads up the innovative DriveTech Advantage business which aims to set the future agenda for learner and novice training in the UK. Steve spent 34 years with the AA, the past 18 directly involved in the setting up and operation of the driving school, and brings with him a wealth of experience in developing the consumer marketplace, introducing innovative service propositions and building market leading brands.

Steve Harris - IT & Technical

Steve joined DriveTech from Data Programmes Limited, a sister company, following the merger of the two companies. Steve previously ran a successful software development and consultancy company and gained wide industry recognition through many high profile appearances at key conferences and seminars. Steve is recognised as one of the UK’s foremost experts on visual software development and has authored and co-authored more than a dozen textbooks. Steve is responsible for the full lifecycle development of DriveTech’s IT solutions, from the creation of core concepts and strategies, through to implementation and delivery.

Kathy James - DriverAware Customer Care

Kathy joined DriveTech in May 2006 after spending several years working as a customer services professional in blue chip companies such as Dell, ntl, ING Barings and Lloyds TSB. Kathy works closely with the Police and manages the operational end to end process of course delivery to the public through a team of customer care advisers who deal with queries and booking driver training. Kathy has a Bachelor of Arts degree (BA Hons) in Business Studies and a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Information Technology.

Steve Johnson - Communications

Steve joined DriveTech from the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) to strengthen DriveTech’s corporate communications strategy. As a graduate automotive engineer, Steve has been involved with cars and driving all his working life, first as a development engineer and then manager of manufacturer teams in motorsport at both National and International level. Following a further ten year period in sports sponsorship management and automotive PR for big name brands, Steve focussed on communicating the many facets of the debate surrounding business driver behaviour, training and management. Steve holds several driving qualifications and only recently retired from active competition as a rally co-driver. He is an active member of both the Chartered Institute of Public Relations and the Motor Industry Public Affairs Association.

Jayne Mattey – Human Resources

Jayne joined DriveTech in March 2007 as Human Resources Manager after spending several years working as an HR professional in high-tech companies such as Digital Equipment and Silicon Graphics. Jayne works closely with managers and employees in all Human Resources related areas including recruitment, retention, policy development and implementation and all other aspects of people management. Jayne is a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

David Richards - Marketing

David has been involved in business-to-business marketing since 1983 and has a wealth of business experience gained with small and medium sized enterprises as well as large corporates including IMI plc, Misys plc and General Electric of America. He is responsible for the identification, development and delivery of marketing campaigns that support the strategy of the business and increase business revenue. He has an MBA from Warwick Business School.

Andy Wheeler - Training and Quality

Andy is a former Traffic Police Officer - Class One driver - with over 12 years experience with Thames Valley Police. He qualified as an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) in 1992 and now is a RoSPA examiner and DSA-registered fleet trainer. Andy joined DriveTech in 1994 and introduced ISO 9001 quality standards to DriveTech in 1997 – a responsibility that he maintains today. Andy is responsible for the development of all DriveTech programmes, all technical training issues and has built a team of trainers, with varying specialist skills, to deliver the full range of driving solutions.