Meet SQMC team of tutors, consultants, and staff.

Ian W. Hannah, SrMASQ.

Founder of the Scottish Quality Management Centre.

Ian has been involved in 'Quality' innovation since 1967 (in Canada, USA, and Scotland) as a Quality Manager, Quality Consultant, and University and College tutor. Graduating 'P.Eng' in Canada, he has been a long-standing member of the CQI Education Panel since returning to the UK, and was formerly Director of a Masters degree in Quality Management. He has lectured in such diverse countries as Canada, Venezuela, and Russia, as well as throughout Europe. In the mid-'90s he was involved in the development of EFQM's "Excellence" Model.

Using his technical teacher training ('Distinction' at Jordanhill, Glasgow) he served as the programmes 'guru' at SQMC for two decades, designing and developing new courses, as well as updating existing programmes.

Although retired, Ian remains a highly-valued mentor to his associates.

Karen MacKenzie

CQP, MCQI, MASQ, FCIPD, IRCA Reg'd Principal Auditor, SQMC Director of Course Design, and our own Quality Manager.

Originally from the Highland town of Dingwall, Karen is a highly-respected business and quality consultant, having the vision and intellectual capacity to discern the key processes and personal development issues which are of paramount importance in any organisation.

Karen is an ISO 9001 Lead Assessor, Internal Auditor and implementer of ISOs 9001, 45001 & 14001 systems in diverse industries - from construction to fabrication; and from environmental landscaping to Health & Safety consultancies. Her development work has been recognised by UKAS accrediting bodies such as BSI.

As a qualified, award-winning trainer, her auditor training courses (Quality, Environmental, Health & Safety) are well received by SQMC clients. Much of Karen’s success is due to two factors – her passion for making a difference and her natural ability to establish rapport with people.

Karen served a key advisor to Scottish Enterprise National on the quality assuring of vocational education and training programmes, and had a responsibility for rolling out the programme of self-assessment, quality development planning and continual improvement for education and training providers within Scotland.

Lynn Hewitt

Training Manager, Data Processor.

Lynn joined SQMC during an expansion period in the autumn of 2010, and quickly became an integral member of our team.

Working primarily as assistant to Kenny Hannah at our Operations Headquarters, Lynn’s astute research and organisational skills provide the strong backbone our intensive administrative processes necessitate. One of Lynn’s roles is to meet and greet customers arriving for open courses at our Fife training centre; finalise student enrolments; and ensure a high quality of follow-up service is provided to delegates after completing their training.

Robert Bell

BSc - Quality Management, HND - Quality Management, MCQI, IRCA-reg’d QMS Principal Auditor.

Former Royal Air Force technician, Bob, is a highly experienced Quality Engineer and Auditor, with a vast knowledge in Electrical Engineering Manufacturing, Steel, and Nuclear Energy industries. He’s trained in ISO 9001, TS 16949, AS 9100 and IAEA 50N - C/SG-Q Auditing; and is a certified Six Sigma ‘green belt’.

When not carrying out SQMC assignments, Bob is a contractor with an engineering consultancy in the energy sector. Prior to this he served for seven years as the Design Representative for British Energy and Magnox, based at the Sellafield nuclear reprocessing site.

Bob also specialises in the development and presentation of UK aerospace regulatory requirements, including Human Factors and Civial Aviation Authority training. He is the preferred provider of Honeywell and Spirit AeroSystems for this training.

Kenny Hannah

Director of Operations, Data Controller.

A former storeman, Kenny joined the organisation in the summer of 1998 in an administrative position, which expanded over time to include marketing activities and then general operations.

Kenny developed SQMC's iconic branding, and is responsible for the planning and co-ordination of training events, course venue vetting, plus the management of sales, marketing and business strategy. He is the proponent behind SQMC’s technological advancements, and architect of internal software applications that have enhanced the organisation’s efficiency and interactivity with our clients. He also designed and developed this website.

In 2012, after fourteen years of service, Kenny was invited on to SQMC’s Board of Directors.

Andrew Gillies

MBA, CMIOSH, MCQI CQP, IRCA QMS Lead Auditor.

Andrew is a distinguished business consultant with a background in both the public and private sectors; including the positions of Quality Manager at South Lanarkshire Council and latterly QHSE Manager for Interserve Construction.

Andrew is registered with the International Register of Certificated Auditors (IRCA) as a Lead Auditor for Quality Management Systems, and has led third-party audits on behalf of a UKAS-approved Certification Body.

As well as achieving Chartered Quality Professional status with the CQI, the Glasgow-born CE Marking specialist brings our clients a wealth of experience in Environmental Management Systems, and Occupational Health and Safety, for which he holds Chartered status with IOSH.

Cath Macneil

BSc, MSc, IOSH, MCQI, IRCA reg'd QMS Principal Auditor.

Cath is a highly experienced Quality and safety auditor, consultant, and trainer. She believes passionately that management systems done right genuinely save companies money, leading to company growth and staff retention.

Cath began her career in Quality Assurance and health and safety consultancy back in 1993, within a variety of industries. She is equally suited to working alongside owner/managers of cottage industries as she is with teams at large government departments, electronics, and energy companies. With an emphasis on civil and mechanical engineering, printing and general industry sectors, she is aware that there are similar issues that affect all organisations regardless of size or type; and is adept to facilitate the correct culture for the improvement of Quality and health and safety systems. She's regularly asked to conduct internal audits on behalf of clients, and supplier audits for a portfolio of large clients that includes Transport Scotland's road construction and maintenance schemes.

Cath concluded 15 successful years at QMI Scotland Ltd., to move to SQMC (before QMI Scotland Ltd.'s eventual demise in the early '20s). In its heyday - during the reign of its esteemed directors, Ian Jones and Jack Dunn - QMI Scotland Ltd. leveraged Cath's expertise in developing and delivering IRCA registered Quality (and Safety) courses. Cath was much loved by QMI Scotland's clients and their students. Former QMI customers in Aberdeen and the North East will be glad, therefore, to learn they can still benefit from Cath's talent for training (and extensive QA and H&S consultancy expertise), by requesting her services through the Scottish Quality Management Centre.

In keeping with the philosophy of SQMC, her classroom is enriched by her up-to-date anecdotal examples from recent audits she has led.

A fluent speaker of Hungarian, having lived and worked there for several years, Cath likes to 'relax' by taking part in triathlon training and competitions!

Alex Kirk

MBA, CMIOSH, IRCA QMS Lead Auditor.

Alex has over 30 years of hands-on experience in senior HSEQ roles in both the public and private sectors. He has a proven track record of leading working groups in the implementation and monitoring of an organisation's Occupational Health & Safety Management System, for which he holds Chartered status with IOSH.

An enthusiastic, dynamic, and motivated individual, Alex can relate to and influence all levels within an organisation, ensuring they comply with all relevant legislation and regulations. He's accustomed to working in a fast-moving, dynamic and high-risk environment; having extensive and transferable skills in Strategic Health & Safety Management, Corporate and Operational Risk Management, QSA Auditing and Training.

Alex has led on major Health and Safety changes for the Scottish Police Service where, in 2012-2013, he was nominated as the Single Point of Contact (SPOC) on behalf of the Association of Police Health & Safety Advisers for Scotland, and was instrumental in bringing together all Scottish Police Safety Advisers and Managers to work as a united team. Every Health and Safety-related aspect was benchmarked for best practice and legislative requirements, taking forward a number of key pieces of work to future-proof the transition to Police Service of Scotland, in April 2013. The massive project required Alex to produce a new Strategic H&S Policy and Standard Operating Procedure, H&S Strategy and a three year action plan to deliver continuous improvement; to name just a handful of his responsibilities in his role as 'Interim Lead National Health and Safety Manager'. His hard work was recognised in 2014 with a Certificate of Distinguished Service for his contribution within the police service, and the future of risk management within Police Scotland was the subject of his dissertation for his MBA.

As an HSEQ Manager, Alex recently implemented Health, Safety, Environmental and Quality Management Systems at one of Scotland's largest electrical, instrumentation and control engineering companies, successfully gaining registration from a UKAS-approved Certification Body. The company then received an International Safety Award, as further testimony to his expert input, solution–focused approach, and focused desire to ensure the safety and wellbeing of his colleagues.

SQMC clients engaging the service of Alex will undoubtedly benefit and enjoy a consultant with real drive and a willingness to succeed. His vast experience, professionalism and proactive approach to his projects mean he adds value to every organisation he is partnered with.

Susan Hunter

BSc Hons PgDip, PIEMA, IRCA-Certified QMS & EMS Lead Auditor.

Susan is a seasoned Environmental Professional who has spent more than two decades protecting and enhancing our environment. In her role as a consultant, she has a burning desire to teach others how to use the environment to develop their businesses.

Susan worked for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) for 18 years, giving her a wealth of experience in the environmental industry that she can draw upon as a trainer.

She is also a co-founder of Edge of Eden Design Studios, a company that specialises in the production and sale of products made from reclaimed or secondhand materials. The notion of the circular economy, upon which her work is based, is beautifully exemplified by this reuse and redesign.

Richy Todd

CIOSH, AMIEME, IRCA Associate Auditor.

Richy is our newest recruit to our tutoring team. He's an adaptable and proactive trainer with extensive experience in quality, health, and safety across multiple sectors; including military, construction, and education. Known for his excellent communication skills, Richy is skilled at engaging diverse groups and individuals, ensuring that training sessions are both effective and inclusive. He brings a strong foundation in overseeing the planning and delivery of impactful health and safety tasks, making him a valuable asset in promoting a culture of safety and compliance.

With qualifications such as a NEBOSH Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety, ISO 45001 Lead Auditor, and a Diploma in Teaching from the British Army, Richy’s expertise is backed by a robust academic and professional background. His skill set includes a thorough understanding of health and safety legislation, excellent organisational and administrative abilities, and a commitment to building meaningful relationships with clients. We predict Richy’s broad experience delivering auditor training previously for other IRCA Approved Training Partners, outwith Scotland, will be a valuable asset to SQMC students for years to come.

Meet our team.

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