It was a while ago. It’s now over five years since I left Durham County Council. Looking back I still feel that I (we) achieved a lot. Through the freedom agenda (freedom from location, freedom from hierarchy and freedom from dogma) I changed the way that the department thought about itself, giving individuals much more … Continue reading Something I should have done
The next Prime Minister
There is something disheartening about the current process to replace the Prime Minister. It goes without saying that I am delighted to see the back of Johnson. His policies aside, if he had any, his lying, cronyism and corruption should have seen him move from No. 10 to court. Do not pass go. Having watched … Continue reading The next Prime Minister
Why you should go to #CyberFest – Innovation is the best form of defence
If you have never been to Durham University’s brand new Mathematics Sciences and Computer Science Building then here is your opportunity. On 6th September we are holding our flagship #CyberFest event from 10:00 to 15:00. The whole festival is supported by Waterstons and this event is also supported by ISC2. Why Durham this year? We … Continue reading Why you should go to #CyberFest – Innovation is the best form of defence
Innovation Festival – Day 3
Despite us having talked about it for months, day 3 of the Northumbrian Water Group Innovation Festival has been and gone. In the main the weather was good though we did have a short shower that freshened the ground up and relieved some of the pressure. The poffertjes, small pancakes, covered in syrup and whipped … Continue reading Innovation Festival – Day 3
Innovation Festival – Day 2
Day 2 of the Northumbrian Water Group Innovation Festival and the weather is still holding. It’s another beautiful sunny day with a light breeze and the free ice cream is certainly helping. There is no such thing as free ice cream however. This day has been all about talent. How do we bring the right … Continue reading Innovation Festival – Day 2
Innovation Festival – Day 1
I’m writing this sitting in a tent at the side of Gosforth Park Racecourse at the end of day 1 of the Northumbrian Water Group Innovation Festival. It’s a nice tent, more of a marquee, the kind of thing you might hire for a wedding. The place is covered with them. There are two more … Continue reading Innovation Festival – Day 1
Too prepared?
Tomorrow the Northumbrian Water Group Innovation Festival kicks off. A small team has been preparing for it over the last couple of months or so. We all feel that we have done all that we can in preparation and we are looking forward to it finally kicking off. Whatever happens will happen. At the same … Continue reading Too prepared?
What a time in politics
No matter what I was going to write about this week there is now only one story that dominates politics, the final Caesar like demise of Johnson as Prime Minister. Even now he is still hanging on waiting for the Conservative Party to select a new leader and once again the country will end up … Continue reading What a time in politics
#CyberFest22
We’re back, it’s back. The North East’s biggest cyber security festival is back for its fifth year! Each year when I sit down to plan for the upcoming festival, I say to myself that we won’t have as many events as the last one and yet each year we seem to have more. This time … Continue reading #CyberFest22
Northumberland line
'Fantastic' Northumberland Line rail plans on track for 2023 opening after key government approval, shouted the Evening Chronicle headlines. The former Blyth and Tyne railway that runs close to my house was given a major boost on Monday, as it was confirmed that a Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) has been granted for it … Continue reading Northumberland line
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 