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THIIS Community Member Profiles
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About Joe Cavanagh |
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Joe started his career in education at the School of Pharmacy in Liverpool, over a period of 8 years. He became a Home Office Licence holder and managed the Pharmacology Teaching and Research department.
He then moved into the commercial sector with Smith & Nephew Pharmaceuticals Ltd, spending 21 years with S&N plc covering pharmaceuticals, healthcare, woundcare and latterly rehabilitation. He held senior management positions in the UK and had a stint as International Sales Director working out of the USA. The last few years were immersed at Homecraft whom S&N plc acquired in the 1990's, as Business Unit Manager UK.
In 2000 he became Managing Director of Sidhil Ltd, increasing turnover by 50% and overseeing the move into the Acute sector, whilst transferring the business to an impressive new manufacturing facility in Halifax. He was also instrumental in the acquisition of Medequip by Sidhil Ltd and was appointed a Director.
Leaving Sidhil in 2004, Joe set up his own consultancy JFC Consultants Ltd. Initial projects included outsourcing products, new product development, market research and mentoring. He also spent the best part of 12 months as interim MD for an Infection Control company based in Chester, increasing turnover by 186%. He is also a non-exec director for BES Rehab based in Bristol.
In 2008 he was invited to become a Director of a Social Enterprise being set up in Cheshire in response to the TCES programme. The SE is called Ability Aware and this is a voluntary position, providing commercial expertise.
Joe has been an active member of the BHTA for a number of years and is currently Chairman of the Rehabilitation Section.
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About Julian Cobbledick |
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Julian commenced as Director of Assistive Partner Limited in April 2007. He describes his present company as the leading healthcare equipment software provider. The web based software applications they have created offer inventory & logistics management, CRM and much more. Their software is also in use in Ireland and the USA now.
Julian has a degree in marketing and has held director positions since 1987, first assuming the title of Managing Director in 1998 for a healthcare equipment manufacturing company.
Prior to this, he received his early career training and experience in the food industry and his mid career was spent in the furniture and building supply field.
Born in South Africa in 1955, Julian has an excellent track record for driving profitable growth and he enjoys an extremely high personal profile within the healthcare equipment industry where he has now spent over 26 years.
During this healthcare career, he has been seconded onto a number of International Standards, Department of Health and Department of Transport working groups as industry representative, has chaired a number of industry think tanks and he currently acts as Chairman of the newly formed ATP Society. He has previously been Chairman and subsequently President of the British Healthcare Trades Association from 2000 to 2006.
Visit the Assistive Partner website HERE |
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About Leisa Evans |
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Leisa is a freelance and independent marketing professional. Educated with a Marketing degree and further studies in qualitative research, she is also a Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing. Leisa has worked within the industry for over 15 years, firstly with Mountway and later at Invacare.
In 2003 Leisa launched a freelance business offering bespoke marketing projects and independent consultancy. She has continued to specialise within the industry working on projects as diverse as research to rebrands and products launches.
Visit Leisa's website HERE |
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About Alastair Gibbs |
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Alastair is the General Manager at a regional retailer of assistive technology products. TPG DisableAids Ltd is based in Hereford and covers Herefordshire and the surrounding counties selling, installing and maintaining a whole range of disability and age care products.
Alastair entered the industry back in the 1980's when it was very much in its infancy and has grown TPG, raising awareness of the products available and basing the company on the firm footing of offering the best possible service to enhance the products being sold.
Alastair is one of four directors in TPG, the others being Father, Mother and Sister. Alastair's wife and sons also work part time in the company which promotes the company slogan of ‘Let our Family help your Family'
Whilst conscious of the commercial requirements of a business, Alastair is keen to promote the raising of standards within the industry, is a keen supporter of the BHTA and regularly attends both Mobility and Stairlift section meetings. Being actively involved in the day to day running of TPG gives him a real grasp of the burning issues that affect his staff and more importantly, his customers.
Visit the TPG website HERE |
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About Steve Holton |
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Steve Holton is Managing Director and owner of Coleridge Consulting Limited specialising in commercial change management, sales & marketing strategy and business intelligence.
Steve has considerable sales and marketing experience within the Consumer Durables sector having held Director level roles in a number of major well known Corporations and, more recently, in the healthcare sector as UK Director at Days Healthcare prior to its sale to Patterson Medical. He thrives on challenging the status quo to find innovative ways to solve commercial problems.
Visit Steve's website HERE |
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About Tim Hudson |
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Tim's 30 plus years in sales, marketing and senior management has been based in the UK, USA and Europe with a number of SME start-ups, turn-arounds and FTSE 200 companies.
Tim says that he enjoys business and has had the good fortune to have his own businesses, to run companies on behalf of shareholders and to consult on others.
In 2007, fate brought him into the furniture industry and he is enjoying the challenges that it offers, having recently launched a new brand and product portfolio into the UK market. He hopes that his insights into business will be of interest, occasionally controversial and most of all will be read!
Visit Tim's business website HERE |
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About Angus Long |
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Angus has spent 26 years in the healthcare industry holding senior marketing and commercial posts with companies such as Vickers Medical, Johnson & Johnson, Bison Bede and Lift Able. He currently owns Embryonyx Ltd, a commercial consultancy and marketing business.
Angus has also been a section chairman and council member of the BHTA since 2008 and also sits on a North East Chamber of Commerce - procurement strategy group.
A keen writer and commentator, he likes to relax with family and friends, enjoys walking and is a keen shooter - having previously qualified for the British Clay Shooting championships.
Visit the Embryonyx website HERE |
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About Richard Nicholson |
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Married with one daughter and living on the West Sussex coast, Richard served in the Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers for 14 years in a stores and logistics role serving in both the Gulf War and the Kosovo conflict prior to joining Rotherham Primary Care Trust in 2002. He managed the Rotherham Equipment & Wheelchair Service for 3 ½ years leading it through the ICES integration and receiving a Department of Health runner up award for best integrated service in 2004.
He moved to the south coast in 2005 when offered the role of West Sussex Community Equipment Service Contract & Performance Manager and also took up the voluntary role of South East Regional Chair of the National Association Equipment Providers, helping to grow group membership to over 30. The role also a role of Council member for the Association and included significant involvement in the organisation of annual conferences as well as undertaking speaking and presentation roles.
Richard continues to support NAEP and in 2006, was humbled and honoured to have been jointly nominated by Council members for the role of Chair along with current Chair and good friend Jean Hutfield.
2007 saw Richard & his wife Clare establish Veritas Procurement Services Ltd, which has now grown into a nationally recognised provider of consultancy services specialising in Community Equipment & Wheelchair Services and a member of the British Healthcare Trades Association.
Visit Richard's website HERE |
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About David N Russell |
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David is the publisher of THIIS (The Homecare Industry Information Service). A monthly magazine and weekly email bulletin keeps suppliers and retailers in touch with developments in the homecare trade. The THIIS website is used by 100's of professionals and members of the trade each day to stay up to date about the latest products and news items.
David has worked in the homecare/rehabilitation industry for over 25 years. He started his career with wheelchair manufacturer Everest & Jennings and later was part of a team that helped to create and launch retailer Keep Able.
He started his own consultancy company, Marketing Matters, in the mid 90's and developed a network of retailers working together throughout the UK. At that time he wrote a practical marketing book for small businesses entitled "The complete guide to quick and easy marketing that works”.
His company, Homecare Publishing Ltd, focuses on promoting companies and products to professionals and the trade. |
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About Kate Sheehan |
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Kate Sheehan is a well-respected Occupational Therapist, with 24 years of clinical experience.
Kate is an independent Occupational Therapist and Director of The OT Practice, which provides OT advice, consultancy and training to companies and individuals on the needs of the disabled people and 50+ market
Kate continues to work with individuals, Housing Associations, insurance companies and individuals to maintain a close link to the grass root needs of the clients and customers
Kate is the treasurer of the College of Occupational Therapists specialist section - Housing and represented the College of Occupational Therapist in Europe (COTEC).
Kate worked with Bristol University on the publication of ‘Minor adaptations without delay', funded by the Housing Corporation and College of Occupational Therapists and has developed a Housing MSc pathway with York St Johns University.
Kate has presented her work on Inclusive design and housing standards both nationally and internationally, including Australia, Croatia and Greece.
Kate has been running the CPD seminars for Naidex for the last four years and is passionate about the need for HPC registrants to keep up to date on new developments and policies to enable them to provide an effective service/intervention to their clients. She is also passionate about promoting products and adaptations that meet the functional need but also look aesthetic. |
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About David Silver |
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David Silver is a director of Years Ahead, the first specialist consultancy in the UK to work with and support organisations, both private and public, whose products and services aim to make the process of ageing easier for consumers and public sector service users. Years Ahead provides knowledge, advice and training and also provides help and advice directly to consumers in the form of assessment and information services.
David has a distinguished background in management and marketing, which he gained in the consumer electronics sector. After starting a communications, change and research agency, he was determined to pursue parallel interests and began actively contributing to the voluntary sector. His interest in the issues affecting older people and his understanding of the business context in which independent living products and services can be marketed are integral to the Years Ahead proposition.
David's marketing, retail and commercial background has given him a keen interest in how research can help shape strategies that enable organisations to engage with their older consumers.
David has served as director and trustee of numerous charities, including the Oxford based disability charity, Dialability and was retained as the business advisor of national disability charity, Assist UK (formerly the Disabled Living Centres Council) for ten years. He has also helped restructure and implement change programmes within a number of charities over the last 18 years.
Visit the Years Ahead website HERE |
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About Mike Williams |
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Mike's extensive background in national retail businesses started in the 1970s when he helped what was then ‘Block and Quayle' to become the country's largest DIY retailer, now better known as B&Q. After leaving B&Q, Mike set up Focus DIY which he helped to build up over twenty years to be the country's second biggest DIY retailer. Mike's detailed knowledge of national retailing is supplemented by a visionary approach to the strategic direction necessary to take growing businesses to a national stage.
Mike's role in Ableworld has gradually evolved in the ten years since he founded the company in 2000. As Ableworld has grown Mike has increased the management team to cover most of the operational functions of the company. He is an active MD who leads by example and is quite prepared to get his hands dirty if necessary. Still passionately interested in all areas of the company Mike has particular involvement in the buying and marketing sides of the business.
Ableworld have just opened their 11th store in Llandudno & also have a Franchise store in Birkenhead.
Mike is a strong supporter of CEDAB where all his staff and stores are members along with the Company being a member of NAEP. Mike's hobbies include a love of horseracing, live music and his regular weekly snooker and backgammon evenings.
The Ableworld website is HERE |
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THIIS Community Member Profiles |
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