PROMOTING WORKPLACE
INNOVATION

Zena Cox
Operations Director

I have been involved with ideasUK for over ten years, joining as a member when launching an idea programme within my previous organisation, taking the formal role as operations director in 2016. Before coming to the world of innovation, my background is based within the commercial sector of pharmaceuticals with experience in management, change management, sigma project management and communications in addition to my experience in the field of innovation. I have a particular interest in how ideas management can be used to really engage employees, gaining business advantage as a result and enjoy supporting organisations to maximise their innovation programmes. My favourite innovation is electricity, having spent a few days without power, I have a new appreciation of just how essential it is to ‘normal’ life!

Alan Firmin
Finance Director

Prior to my recent retirement, I had extensive experience of implementing and managing ideas programmes in corporate environments within the private sector.  I was also a Head of HR for a large engineering function within a global business.  Within that role, alongside the Leadership Team I was responsible for creating an innovative environment for engineers to develop, design and build world class products for customers.

My particular area of expertise was in reward, recognition and employee engagement and through my varied experiences have been able to support ideasUK members over the years through networking to drive innovation in their own businesses and resolve issues they faced.

My favourite innovation is the Omelette Maker which I use a lot at home.  It saves time and produces perfectly cooked omelettes every time.  You cannot beat the simple pleasures in life!!

Trevor Bowman
Director

I am currently the Director of a number of small companies who deliver Unscrewed Air Systems to individuals and Government organisations, alongside delivering innovation skills training through ideasUK. My own company focuses on business operations, providing consultancy and assistance to micro-SME and SMEs in the South West of England.

Prior to starting my company, I completed my military career as a Lieutenant Colonel in charge of the UK Defence Battlelab which seeks to find innovative solutions and emerging dual use technologies. I spent time in engineering and contract management along with being an assessor for a Defence innovation and ideas scheme.

My favourite innovation has to be an apprentice designed cup holder that prevents scalds and spillages from rail company, on train, buffet trollies.

Victor Fromm
Advisory Board

Over 15 years in the Rail industry with Greater Anglia and the Elizabeth line prior to which I worked in the Leisure and Tourism industry with Center Parcs and Whitbread, in operations, innovation, management systems and learning and development. Both industries have their challenges but were open to innovation, concept development and encouraging employees to suggest how we could improve our service for our customers. Building a management system with procedures, training, concept development, recording improvements and recognition that supports and empowers colleagues, has to be one of the things I have enjoyed most.

One of my favourite innovations is the pencil, its effective, efficient, easy to use, easy to tailor to your own needs with colours, text, etc., can be used in space and certain ones can be used under water. It is enduring, familiar, can be used at any age and is sustainable too. Who doesn’t have a favourite pencil!

Jayne Garner
Advisory Board

I started working for Ricoh November 1990, and have worked in many departments in 2007 I became the Continuous Improvements Coordinator, supporting and encouraging employees to engage in Ricoh’s Continuous Improvement Programmes. I am the owner of the very successful RPL Together Suggestion Scheme which has achieved numerous Platinum Awards. I have a passion for innovation which benefits the business, but more importantly benefits the employees. Recognition is paramount at Ricoh and the best part of my job is having Senior Managers come to the Gemba (workplace) to personally recognise employee’s participation in making improvements. My favourite innovation is the Tefal Actifry, it delivers yummy, healthier chips not soaked in fat!

Michael Davies
Advisory Board

I have 20 years’ experience within Idea Management and Innovation, and feel strongly that by harnessing the experience and innovation of our colleagues within the workplace companies can go from strength to strength with an engaged workforce. With historic global responsibility for Idea Management within HSBC, I have seen first-hand how great an impact it can have to someone’s confidence to have their idea taken on-board. I have experience in mentoring both up and down, and have the ability to influence senior management to the benefits bottom-up innovation can have on their organisation. My favourite innovation is the cat litter robot, OMG, anything that stops me having to do this job is amazing!

Hussain Al Fardan
Advisory Board

Hussain has over 20 years of experience in employee engagement, Innovation and Business Improvement with proven interpersonal and leadership skills. He is experienced in all aspects of Innovation both internal and external within the organisation, with demonstrable success in Building Innovation Culture within a Governmental environment. Hussain has developed and delivered an innovation culture method that is now used by many government departments across the UAE to develop employee driven creativity and manage continuous improvement. Hussain is also the Head of the Innovation Centre in Dubai Customs and the Chairman of Ideas Arabia and Ideas Emirates.

Chris Bolton
Advisory Board

I’m the Good Practice Manager at the Wales Audit Office where I’m involved in helping to improve public services through knowledge transfer and behaviour change. This covers the whole of Wales and the diverse range of public service and third sector organisations that work here. I’ve been involved in this type of work for over 20 years, helping to develop good relationships based upon trust and understanding which in turn support the knowledge, learning and innovation flow. I’ve been connected to ideasUK for almost 10 years and find it a constant source of inspiration from the people I meet and the learning I can take back to Wales. My favourite innovation is the microwave oven, so much easier than a conventional oven, and it was invented as the result of an accident!

Helen Pringle
Operations Manager

An internal, employee engagement and change communications specialist; I bring my expertise to ensure all employees feel they want to deliver their best for their organisations. A skilled and empathetic communicator who is adept at understanding the needs of varied audiences and in crafting creative and comprehensive plans that support business strategy. I am passionate and enthusiastic and most importantly I seek to use my skills to positively impact the people I come into contact with and the places where I work. ideasUK is a brilliant hotbed of new ways of working and ways of communicating. My favourite innovation is Waze. I often have to drive long distances on my own. Waze is a saviour for me, providing the most time efficient route and minimising delays, to ensure I reach my desired destination.

Emma Cowan
Advisory Board

22-years Telecoms industry experience and nearly 20-years’ experience working in Innovation and idea management, identifying disruptive technologies, leading innovation transformation in a large organisation whilst advising and guiding idea submitters and entrepreneurs. I enjoy creating value through innovation, learning new things, coaching/ teaching talent and developing new ways to release innovation, ideas and enable disruptive thinking. I now work for the Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN) as a Knowledge Transfer Advisor helping businesses connect with academia to deliver innovation through collaborative projects.I have a keen interest in new and emerging technology and how it fits into our future. My favourite innovation is the Keysafe, I always have a spare in it because I could lose my keys in a padded locked cell!

Laura Sturgess
Advisory Board

I have worked as a leader in The John Lewis Partnership for the past 26 years, in roles across our Shops, Contact Centres and Head Office, and in a number of different business areas including HR, change management, continuous improvement, communication and customer experience.  I have recently stepped into my new role leading Ideation as part of our Voice of Customer function. As a co-owned business with 80,000 Partners we currently run a Partner (employee) Led change programme that interacts with our Partners through 3 different mechanics, Targeted challenges, Locally led Challenge Cup initiative and an open funnel ideas process. We continue to build a culture of Partners being at the heart of generating ideas, driving action and continuous improvements to grow and sustain our business for the future.

My favourite innovation is the Insulin pump, my husband has been a Type 1 Diabetic for 30 years and this innovation really has transformed how he manages his day-to-day life for the better.

Lindsey Mclean
Advisory Board

Lindsey Mclean is an Improvement & Transformation Lead at Wye Valley NHS Trust.

Lindsey has almost 20 years’ experience leading transformational programmes within the NHS. Lindsey is passionate about supporting frontline ideas generation and supports clinical and professional colleagues in the trialling, testing and implementation of service improvement. Her areas of expertise include collaborative relationship building and staff empowerment.

My favourite innovation is the electric Hyundai Ioniq. What’s not to love about a car that can be pre-heated on a winter morning using an app on your phone as well as doing a little bit to help the environment too!