FEATURED AUTHOR

Ian Thompson

Director
Cordie Ltd

Business adviser and trainer with an interest in all things commercial. I specialise in procurement and contracting. Living in UK (New Forest) but travel globally. Book subjects include category management, procurement, contract management and public procurement. Personal interests include running, boats and swim training. Happy to discuss interesting business or book ventures!

Subjects: Business, Management and Accounting

Biography

Started my worklife with mud on my boots as a civil engineer working in flood defence and later the rail industry. When I realised I had more interest in commercial and contracting elements of engineering, I moved laterally to work on a fascinating research project at the University of Birmingham (UK). We were researching the most "fit-for-purpose" construction contracts just at the launch of the NEC. After publishing my first text, I had a brief spell in consultancy and also in industry as the Head of Supply Chain Operations at a major global insurer, before setting up my own training and consultancy business (Cordie Ltd) to specialise in procurement, sales and contracts.

Education

Areas of Research / Professional Expertise

My initial research into "fit-for-purpose" construction contracts led to my first publication "Contracting for Business Success". This was a hugely popular subject back in the mid1990s. I broadened my expertise into supply chain and procurement subjects, working among a university research centre and a specialist procurement consultancy, before finally setting up my own training and consultancy firm. I have deep knowledge and expertise on several important commercial subjects, including public procurement and category management. I also run a network of study centres for the CIPS professional qualifications, where we've been accredited as a 'centre of excellence' because of the extremely high pass-rates that our students achieve with us.

Personal Interests

Outside of work, I have a young family who is into competitive swimming. You will see me poolside during early morning swim training sessions, or sometimes officiating at various competitive meets around the country. I am currently working towards being a qualified ASA British Swimming Race Starter. In addition to this, I love running for fitness and I have a boat-share of a large rib with some good friends. Just wish we had more time...!

Books

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