It is only in my later years that I have been "professionally" exposed to learning, although I have consciously done it since my mid 20's. Being a product of the 1940's baby boom and the associated national need and rush to keep up with building schools and changing curriculum, my own school learning took a few hits, in part due to family moves/school changes and in part due to personal inertia.

Employment commenced in the commercial world, without much thought and guidance, which was then followed by starting a family early. A question and realisation in my early twenties about "education" was answered by the Open University-and off I went into combining employment and studying. A great time, a marvellous institution providing a superb opportunity.

After six years, the " BA paper" received and a desire to use this, then lead to moving to Nigeria where, in addition to most interesting and challenging work in Transport/Shipping related stuff, we had the opportunity to learn about living in a different culture. The people were great and delightful to work with - lifetime friendships and memories formed.

After 5 years, a return to the UK enabled a time out studying full time for a Masters degree at Cranfield University. This also gave a chance to look around at what next? After a spell working back in the UK in Transport/Warehousing services, an opportunity then came up to move full time into commercially delivered training.

So, here I could combine education, learning and working more closely/ personally with people.

I soon realised that there was a lot more to learn about how people learn, including how I personally learnt, and for example, mind map type scribbles here I came! In working with delegates and clients on both public and private commercial training courses, I was also challenged to look beyond the "give them a nice time on the course" scenario.

The results on what I found about learning are summarised in a book, which includes, coverage on how companies can practically support employees learning.

The journey to "today", whilst an individual one, does not happen, thankfully without other peoples involvement. I smile when I remember so many helpful people. Some had just no idea they were helping, some were definitely openly supportive and some had strange (to me), individual personal styles- but at least this forced me to think and work out what they really meant.

So, to anyone who has ever had contact with me-then please be assured you will have contributed to my own learning, growing and developing. If you ask me how, then I will tell you-I promise! Whilst thanking you all, my hope is, that I have given something positive back to you.

I am pleased to say and acknowledge my learning still continues-both with formal pieces of paper as evidence to the CV viewers, but more importantly, in looking to get something new from every day. All this is enabled by freelance employment as a trainer, catalyst, mentor, coach, and writer, trading under the name of "Learn and Change."