Yes, we like to have some fun when we’re doing business...
We have known each other since the early nineties when we worked together at Volvo Trucks. Today, we have both run our own separate businesses for more than 5 years but have continued to work together on various projects when the opportunity arises. Good Solutions for Charities gives us a platform to pool our resources and expertise more formally and in an area that we both care about deeply.
Although our background is in the commercial world the one thing we will not do is simply try and turn your charity into a business. Yes, there are important lessons that we can bring from the commercial world but we also respect the differences between a charity and a business. We think it is just as important to retain and develop the culture and ethos of a charity as it is to use our business skills in providing a solution.
Outlined below is a bit more information about us and the other individuals who together make up the Good Solutions team.
If you meet John you’ll be able to see for yourself that one of his weaknesses is good food and wine! However, on a more serious note, John is a business studies graduate with senior management experience in the Automotive and Asset Finance industries stretching back over 25 years.
He established Good Solutions in 2001 after working for Volvo for 11 years where he held various positions including the role of Sales Director for Volvo Trucks in the UK and Ireland. Previously, he was Managing Director of four Operating Divisions within Volvo Contract Services and was also appointed Chairman of Volvo Truck Finance in Poland and held two other non-executive board positions at other Volvo subsidiaries in the UK.
Since establishing Good Solutions John has worked with a number of blue-chip organisations such as Toyota, Volvo, Iveco Finance, CNH Captial, Alliance & Leicester and De Lage Landen Finance. He has also worked with a variety of smaller organisations including a local hospice where he has worked on a variety of different projects. In 2008, John was appointed as a Non-Executive Director of Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust, which provides Mental Health, Learning Disability and Substance Misuse services for the people of Coventry and Warwickshire.
Over the years John has been able to broaden his business experience and develop his management skills but his passion remains a commitment to sales excellence and customer care.
John is married with four children (grown-up but still costing money!) and lives in Leamington Spa. Finally, although he knows that this may put off some potential clients, John also has to admit to being a lifelong and passionate Manchester United fan!
You can contact John directly on 07831-286853 or by e-mail at jw@goodsolutions.info
Simon shares John’s love of good food and wine but annoyingly for John, not the same profile! In business, Simon spent over 15 years in marketing services and senior marketing management roles working within blue chip companies in the automotive, distribution and telecoms sectors. Today, Simon combines his work at Good Solutions with providing freelance marketing services into the small and medium business sector.
He also has particular experience of working with not-for-profit and charity organisations in both a marketing and a fund-raising capacity.
Simon's particular area of expertise is in marketing communications and project management. He brings a mix of hands-on experience and commercial sensibilities to meet any marketing, business development or fund-raising objective.
Married and living in Kenilworth, Simon spends his time with family and friends, and enjoys music, hill walking and most recently, DIY!
You can contact Simon directly on 07900-925366 or by e-mail at sn@goodsolutions.info
No the surname is not a coincidence – John and Vanessa are married! Vanessa does not play a front line role in the business but she does provide invaluable support and advice behind the scenes.
She has worked in a variety of marketing and fundraising roles for over 20 years. She has held two Director of Fundraising positions within the charity sector and has experience of all aspects of fundraising. She also brings considerable experience from organising and managing many high-profile events in both the corporate sector and for charities.
In addition, Vanessa has been responsible for putting together a wide variety of newsletters, brochures and other marketing material for both commercial and not-for-profit organisations.
Continuing the culinary theme from John and Simon, Vanessa also enjoys her food and wine but has to admit to a slight bias for a glass of nicely chilled Chablis!
You can contact Vanessa directly on 07884-001831 or by e-mail at vw@goodsolutions.info
The final member of our team is Alfie, who is an extremely lovable but stubborn Cairn Terrier. He seems to have elected himself to the unofficial position of Chairman of Good Solutions (mainly because he spends most of his time on his favourite chair by the window!).
Not surprisingly, Alfie also enjoys his food but seems to prefer water to wine! He brings a variety of different skills to the Good Solutions team (chasing a ball springs to mind!) but his people skills are second to none – spend five minutes in his company and we guarantee you’ll be smiling!
Surprisingly, Alfie hasn't yet graduated to using a mobile phone but if you really want to make him feel important please e-mail him at alfie@goodsolutions.info (how sad are we!)
The newest member of our team is Denis, who is a very cute (Vanessa's description!) Norfolk Terrier who is dedicated to annoying Alfie as much as possible! Any Man United fans reading this may recognise that his name is spelt with one 'n' - the same as Denis Law (the King!) but in reality it would probably be better to name him Dennis - after Dennis the Menace! If you have a spare moment one day feel free to e-mail Denis at Denis@goodsolutions.info
Over time we would like to expand the range of services we offer to the charity sector but without comprimising on our basic philosophy and approach. So, if you believe that you can offer a skill or service that would be of interest to our clients and you share our views on working with the charity sector, then please do not hesitate to get in touch.
If you’ve read all of the above you probably think we’re slightly strange! Well, maybe we are a bit but then again we do like to have some fun when we’re doing business and honestly – we do know what we’re doing!
All the best,
John and Simon
