Profile of the Managing Partner
– GERALD COTEMAN

a) Professional

Gerald founded The Focus Group in 1980 and is now its Managing Partner. His key areas of expertise include:

• Organisational/Policy Review
• Performance Management
• Feasibility/Strategic modelling
• Governance issues (inc. role of NEDs, Elected Members)
• HR Development
• Business strategies

He has wide experience of most key UK private sectors, together with a background in local government, health and voluntary organisations. He was recently a member of the Audit Commission’s Corporate Assessment Team inspecting Sunderland City Council as part of the Government’s Comprehensive Performance Assessment programme, where his contribution was singled out by the Audit Commission Team Leader and by Sunderland’s Chief Executive. His focus in this review included:

• Strategic partnerships
• HR
• Crime and Disorder
• Social Services
• The role of elected members (including scrutiny and review)

b) Business and public sector appointments

Business

• Founder (& Chair for eleven years), Cambridgeshire Small Businesses Group
• Former non-exec. Director, Great Eastern Investment Forum (venture capital group)
• former non executive director, Cambridge Sports Hall Trust Ltd
• Former Chair, Cambridgeshire Strategic Business Forum (the platform for consultation between the business sector and Cambridgeshire County Council)
• Founder member Greater Cambridge Partnership (sub-regional economic strategy group)

Government/Government Department Policy Input

• Contributor to No 10 Policy Unit on small business growth/technology transfer
• Contributor to Customs & Excise evaluation of customer care in the small firms sector
• Contributor to Department for Education on schools/industry links
• Contributor to DTI Policy Directorate on business angels
• Contributor to Department of Health on the establishment of NHS Plus
• Department of Health Working Group on future of NHS Plus

Local Government/Health

• Former member Cambridge City Council (Committees - Housing, Amenities & Recreation, Research & Review)
• Former member Cambridgeshire County Council (Committees – Education, Social Services (Vice Chair), Personnel, Police Authority)
• Former member Cambridge Health Authority (Committees - Finance and Nursing Panels)
• Former member Cambridge Health Authority Board of Trustees
• Former non-Executive Director, North Herts NHS Trust (Responsibilities - Audit Committee, Clinical Governance, Mental Health/LD, Children’s Services, Community Services)
• Current - non Executive Director, Addenbrooke’s NHS Trust (Chair of Audit Committee – other responsibilities - Remuneration Committee, Best Value, Improving Working Lives, Equality & Diversity)
  

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