Ian Ferguson

Profile

20 years’ board experience as a chief executive and director in both the public and commercial sectors, leading multi-functional teams, employing up to 4,000 people across 40 depots, with budgets of up to £100 million.
A successful senior general manager with a track record of both developing policy at strategic headquarters and line-managing complex operations in a variety of settings.
An experienced international management consultant in both the commercial and charity sectors, leading both paid and voluntary assignments in developed and developing countries.
A strong analytical thinker who can get to the root cause of problems, identify creative solutions and prioritise resources and activity.
A leader with experience of delivering culture change in very different environments.
An experienced union negotiator with a proven record of building constructive relations with difficult unions.
A trained media spokesman with extensive experience of dealing with TV, radio and the press.
A skilled and effective communicator with experience of presenting to and influencing external stakeholders, customers, pressure groups, board members, trade unions and front line staff.

Key achievements

Led the development and deployment of a plan that delivered a 30% improvement in a UK ambulance trust’s performance times in response to new national targets, moving the Trust from bottom to top of the national league table and enabling the Trust to win Ambulance Service of Year Award in 2010/11.
Led the development and implementation of an operational turnaround plan for a failing ambulance service – a plan that delivered against targets and restored Board and stakeholder confidence.
Key player in a Board that led the Trust to Foundation Trust status.
Set up and led a pro-bono management consultancy that has carried out successful strategic and operational reviews of charities in Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Ghana, Uganda and UK and provided tailored coaching and training to the senior management teams.
Led the successful operational merger of four ambulance Trusts into one new Trust, while improving service standards and delivering financial balance.
Transformed partnership relationships between a UK ambulance trust and external stakeholders, developing a constructive and engaged approach.
Led a UK ambulance trust to 3-star status, hitting all key targets.
Led a major corporate turnaround for Parcelforce covering 40% of national operation, achieving timescale and financial milestones.
Led the development of the strategic direction and delivery road map for a major Australian ambulance service, as a consultant.
Recruited by Grow Movement to provide on-line Skype coaching to entrepreneurs in Uganda.

Career summary

  
      Consultant, Grow Movement  
      2015 - present
    
      Management consultant, Teamworks
      2013 – present
    
      Management consultant, Lightfoot Consulting
      2012 – present
    
      Chief Operating Officer, South Central Ambulance Service
      2006 – 2012
    
      Chief Executive, Royal Berkshire Ambulance NHS Trust 
      2003 – 2006
    
      Regional Customer Services Director, Parcelforce
      2001 – 2003
    
      Area Director, Royal Mail 
      1996 – 2001
    
      Divisional Operations Director, Royal Mail
      1994 – 1996
    
      Delivery Manager in Strategic Headquarters, Royal Mail 
      1992 – 1994

Education and ongoing development

Upper second class honours in Economics from Edinburgh University, 1971 - 75.
Extensive management development, including skills training in leadership, project management, media handling, presentation and negotiation.
Currently studying for a post graduate degree in Development.