CV of Paul Ladley (Director at games-ED)

1. 105 Longhurst Lane, Mellor
Paul Ladley
Stockport, CHESHIRE, SK6 5PG
0161 427 8684
pladley@pixelfountain.co.uk
c u r r i c u l u m v i t a e pladley@games-ed.co.uk
“The simulation nature coupled with the discussion with other ‘teams’ made a welcome
change from the usual death by power point and sleep inducing presentations. A well
run event, which really got the message across in a stimulating and innovative way.”
PROFILE
Paul is involved in all aspects of business (management, sales & marketing, plus design, development and delivery of learning
simulations and games based learning) and can lead from the front. Paul is passionate about innovation in learning and blogs
about games based learning (www.games-based-learning.com); he designed his first learning simulation in 1998. He sees each
project / challenge as a chance to improve his skill set, and it is this drive that pushes the people around him to extend their
reach. He is highly skilled in design, logic and creative disciplines (22 years experience), giving him a holistic view on learning
design and delivery. Paul has utilised his excellent analytical and problem solving skills on many different accounts - blue chip,
SME, public sector and education. He has led the development of fifteen learning simulations and games.
Particular Strengths:
Ÿ Holistic understanding and skills in all areas of a learning simulation / games based learning business.
Ÿ Strong research, analytical and communication skills.
Ÿ Project managing the development of innovative solutions.
Ÿ An ability to bring systems thinking into organisational, consultancy and learning design processes.
Ÿ Advanced learning design including learning simulations and tools: on-line / workshop-based and education / adult training.
Ÿ Learning delivery and facilitation: engagement, awareness, learning, partnership / team building and consultancy.
Ÿ Expertise in learning simulations, local government, shared services, sustainable development, housing & regeneration,
climate change and waste management.
EMPLOYMENT
1995-Present pixelfountain / games-ED Managing Director
Leadership and Operations:
Ÿ Worked with the management team to develop a games based learning brand: games-ED (www.games-ed.co.uk)
Ÿ Led the company from a sub-contract team, through full e-Learning development company into the learning simulation era.
Ÿ Linked company strategy to career development through a set of integrated plans and procedures resulting in IIP.
Ÿ Trained and mentored staff for their ever changing roles.
Ÿ Led the creation of the company’s development methodology.
Ÿ Developed systems: operational and sales & marketing.
Ÿ Produced procedures and policies: Disciplinary & Grievance, Equal Opportunities, Environmental and Health & Safety.
Ÿ IT: Introduced cloud computing (email / documents / apps / CRM) and other IT to support virtual working.
Sales & Marketing:
Ÿ Sales: Prospecting, proposals and presentations followed up with negotiation.
Ÿ Bid writing: Involved in the writing of numerous successful tenders for funded projects.
Ÿ Blogging: Write a games based learning blog (www.games-based-learning.com)
Ÿ Marketing: Designed and developed a variety of marketing materials including press releases issued via PRLog.
Ÿ Search Engine Optimisation (SEO): Conducted research leading to modifications that have significantly improved the ranking
of the pixelfountain (www.pixelfountain.co.uk)and games-ED (www.games-ed.co.uk) sites.
Workshop and Lesson Delivery and Facilitation
Ÿ Delivery and facilitation (250+workshops): Bringing engagement, humour, passion and systems thinking into workshops.
Ÿ Train the trainer for internal staff and client organisations.
Ÿ Consultancy and expertise: sector based (local government); subject based (sustainable development et al); and technical
(innovative learning in education and organisations).

2. “ Planit workshops are one of the few development tools available to local authorities which enables managers to have
fun whilst developing their knowledge around the sustainable communities agenda and providing clear messages about
the improved outcomes and efficiencies which can be achieved through effective partnership working and collaboration.”
Alison Hughes, Head of Organisational Development, Wigan Borough Council
EMPLOYMENT continued ...
Production Highlights (learning simulations): *
Ÿ Devised, managed, designed and part developed nine learning simulations (delivered in 450+ workshops):
Ÿ Planit-Sustainability - Sustainable Communities | Partnership / Team Building.
Ÿ Planit-LAA - Local Strategic Partnerships | Localisation.
Ÿ Regen-IT - Neighbourhood Management | Affordable Housing.
Ÿ Govern-IT - Member / Officer Working | Cabinet Member Recruitment.
Ÿ Planit-YP - Every Child Matters | Young People Consultation.
Ÿ Planit-WASTE - Sustainable Waste Management.
Ÿ Planit4CAST - Climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Ÿ Planit-Shared - Medium Term Gap | Shared Services | More with Less.
Ÿ Business UnLtd - Sustainable Supply Chain Management.
Ÿ Virtual Training - Project managed, designed and part developed three dynamic learning products. Learners ‘moved’ around a
virtual site and interacted with characters and objects. Developed in 1999, this learning approach was ahead of the curve.
Ÿ Education: Climate Crew (developed with disadvantaged children) & Re|VOLT (renewable energy game delivered in schools).
Ÿ Games based learning: Sustainaville, The Climate Game and Young People First.
Production Highlights (e-Learning / Portals / System Simulations):
Ÿ Hanson Aggregates / Tarmac – Provided consultancy, design and initial project management on this e-Learning project.
Ÿ learndirect – Managed and designed a sustainable development product containing e-Learning, tools and a simulation.
Ÿ Integrated Skills Store – Designed and project managed this portal that moved TESS (see below) into Quality and Health &
Safety and included a bespoke Skills Planning Tool and a Learning Management System.
Ÿ The Environmental Skills Store (TESS) – Designed and project managed TESS offering: on-line consultancy and networking;
articles; downloadable resources and tools; five Computer-based Training programs (CBT).
Ÿ Lloyds UDT – Provided consultancy that helped tie a CBT project into the client’s wider strategy (HITS – Help Information
Training Skills). Went on to project manage and lead the development process.
Ÿ Barclays Bank – Lead programmer: developed a system simulation and mentored the other programmers.
1994-1995 Freelance (Peritas now Knowledge Pool) Multimedia Developer
Ÿ Lead programmer: Developed a system simulation and mentored the other programmers.
* Regen-IT is accredited by Homes & Communities Agency Skills & Knowledge.
Ÿ Assisted the Project Manager in team appraisals and specifications. Worked closely with the end client in Dublin.
1994 Peak Interactive Multimedia developer
Lead programmer on a large account for Tesco developing a system simulation and other multimedia code.
1993 Self-employed Multimedia developer
Designed and developed a multimedia database to be used in estate agencies.
1992 Manchester Royal Infirmary Multimedia developer
Designed and developed CBT for care assistants.
QUALIFICATIONS and TRAINING
Ÿ BSc. Computing Science with Science, Technology and Society.
Ÿ Huthwaite Negotiation, Sales & Marketing, Time Management, Local Area Agreements, CLES Summer School.
PERSONAL
Full Driving Licence DOB: 15th February 1966 Relationship (2 children)
INTERESTS
Gardening, collecting art, film, juggling, cycling and getting out and about with my family (countryside, museums and galleries).