Friday 31 October 2008

Test

Where are they now? – Paul Crouch

An article for the TWGSB old boys news

 

When posed this question, a three part answer sprung to mind: where I am physically, where I am professionally and where are my thoughts:

 

Physically – Let’s deal with this first, as it’s easy.   I live in North Tonbridge, half a mile from where I grew up, I’m married to Cheryl (a teacher) and have one 19-month year old son Dominic, and we have another baby due in February 2009.

 

Professionally – I am currently Network Procurement Director at BT, responsible for global purchasing across a broad spectrum of categories.   Most significantly I own the relationship BT has with Alcatel-Lucent.   Responsible for millions of pounds worth of spend, my role takes me across the world.   I’ve been very fortunate to be involved in numerous international initiatives and deals, where I’ve not only learnt new skills, but been able to absorb and embrace new cultures – highly recommended.

 

So whilst my previous section stated I live in North Tonbridge, I’m very often not there!

 

On reflection – Whether it’s David Madin’s aphorism “Maths is fun” or Hugh Jenkins’ motto “… it’s all about supply and demand” the skills learnt at Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for boys will stay with me for life.   I look back at my time in the school and it’s the grounding in life skills as well as the top class education that made it such a quality institution.   For completeness though, Hugh was right, but it’s the balancing that all of us in the global economy are finding hard…!!!

 

The market place is tough at the moment and I’m feeling that personally from a number of perspectives (home-owner, mortgage, share-holder, employee, employer, husband [no comment], parent and volunteer debt advisor).   All that said, there is still a thirst for talent - business is changing, the past doesn’t dictate the future and there is a real need for innovative solutions and new thinking.

 

My personal opinion is that if you get the equilibrium of academia with life-skills, then numerous doors are unlocked for you, and I think that was (and hopefully still is) one of the schools key successes.   It set me up well for university (I graduated in Mathematics from Bath) and for my professional career.

 

So… that’s a whistle-stop tour of where I am.   My email address is below, feel free to drop me a note if you want to get in touch.

 

 

 

 

Network Procurement Director, BT

TWGSB: 1990-1997 & Head-boy 1996/7

Paul.Crouch@bt.com