1. Simon David Thomas
11 Ebble Crescent, Warminster, Wiltshire. BA12 9PF
Tel.: +44 1985 300 519; Mobile: +44 7930 371 370; Skype: simon.david.thomas.1968
Email: simon.david.thomas@gmail.com
Linkedin profile: http://www.linkedin.com/in/simondavidthomas
Personal information and profile:
British national. Holds a full, clean UK driver’s licence and Digital Tachograph card (Digicard). Able to work
on own initiative, often to very demanding timescales; works best under pressure. Can work as part of a team
and/or as the manager of a team or department. Working and academic life has involved interaction with
people from many different social levels, ethnic and religious backgrounds, and technical abilities. Any
difficulties arising from those differences have been successfully negotiated and the experience generally
found both fulfilling and interesting. Good listener and an excellent communicator, including when
undertaking presentations of demanding technical and/or academic issues. Excellent understanding of current
technology, keen interest in the potential applications of new and emergent technologies. Enjoys travel and can
relocate as required, both inside or outside the UK.
Relevant skills and experience:
Management:
Management of multi-site, multi-organisational projects with a direct impact on the core business of the
organisation, including responsibility for meeting strict deadlines and budgetary constraints.
Change management experience at departmental and multi-site levels in fields of operational support and
logistics management.
Successfully managed diverse teams with responsibility for delivering business-critical support.
Performance management-based staff evaluation and reporting systems, including formal disciplinary
procedures with subsequent recommendation of sanctions where appropriate.
Recruitment experience includes interviewing staff for new posts as well as sitting on promotion boards.
Evaluation and addressing staff training needs.
Academic and technical:
Postgraduate standard research, analysis, writing and presentation.
Production of detailed reports and submissions, including opinion and recommendations, for consumption by
senior technical and non-technical staff.
Undergraduate-level knowledge of: International, European and 3rd world politics; political philosophy;
terrorism, contemporary security, intelligence and strategy; contemporary and historical warfare and strategy,
international Cold War history and the NATO alliance; the use of historical memory in post-WW2 politics and
strategy and the history and practice of propaganda.
Postgraduate-level knowledge of: Evolution of current European Union security policy and strategy;
international politics; contemporary strategy and the evolution of strategic thought.
Financial control etc.:
Responsibility for hardware, software and services budgets totalling over £300,000 per annum (1998-1999
figures), including forward planning and zero-based budgeting.
Evaluating tenders and interviewing potential suppliers prior to awarding of service contracts.
Negotiation of supplier SLAs with ongoing responsibility for monitoring KPIs and compliance.
Evaluation and purchasing of equipment and services in fields of business support, IT management and
transport/logistics.

2. IT skills:
Thoroughly computer literate, including wide experience of MS Office packages.
Specification and commissioning of bespoke software packages, including responsibility for monitoring of
development, testing and delivery.
Managing end-user requirements of a large scale mainframe application, including specification, testing and
ad-hoc QMF query authoring.
PC hardware evaluation, purchase, upgrade and configuration, including responsibility for evaluation and
fulfilment of hardware and software requirements for disabled personnel.
Network/system security practices, anti-intrusion software and data-protection requirements (DPA 1988).
Other:
Emergency First Aid at Work (L2) certificate (renewed Feb. 2015)
Employment history:
Sept. 2012 – Sept. 2013 Resident Tutor
Student Support Department, Aberystwyth University
July 2000 – Feb. 2009 Assistant Transport Manager
West Country Fine Foods, Warminster, Wiltshire
July 1990 – Mar. 2000 IT Manager/Project Manager (Band C2 – Higher Executive Officer)
Inland Revenue, Surrey and Nottingham
Oct. 1987 – July 1990 Clerical Officer
National Westminster Bank, Salisbury
Education & academic qualifications:
2012-2013 Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion.
MSc(Econ) in Strategic Studies (Specialist), passed with Merit.
2009-2012 Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion.
BSc(Econ) in International Politics and Military History, 1st Class Honours.
1982-1986 Westwood St Thomas School, Salisbury, Wiltshire.
‘O’ level passes in Chemistry, Computer Studies, Electricity and Electronics ,
English Language, General Studies, History, Mathematics and Physics.
‘A’ level passes in Chemistry, General Studies and Physics.
1979-1982 Gwendraeth Grammar School, Drefach, Carmarthenshire.
Hobbies and interests:
Creative writing (primarily semi-historical fiction and fantasy). Keen interest in military history, particularly
naval, co-author of a popular set of wargames rules for naval actions during the American Civil War. Cinema,
reading (very wide range of interests), driving/travel, photography, taking part in historical re-enactments. Past
member of The International Institute for Strategic Studies (currently lapsed due to unemployment). Current
member of The National Trust, Cadw (Heritage in Wales) and Mensa.
References:
Available on request.