Staff spotlight: Richard

Introducing Richard!

Hear from Richard about his journey to joining IKON Training…

I have had a varied career. I started work in a law firm but it wasn’t long before I decided I wanted a more exciting career.

I worked at a range of schools for children with learning difficulties, founding my love for education. I learnt how educators need to adapt their style to match their learners. I also noticed how technology could greatly enable people of all abilities to access learning more effectively.

I studied for a PGCE in primary teaching and enjoyed the next ten years as a classroom teacher, teaching children of all abilities and from all backgrounds. I embraced technology to improve my professional effectiveness, but also to expand learning opportunities. I achieved the prestigious ‘ICT Mark’ and was commended as Suffolk County Council’s ‘Innovator of the Year’. I coached robotics clubs at competitions around the world. My work was ‘tweeted’ about by British Astronaut, Tim Peake, while aboard the International Space Station. I presented at international conferences.

After a decade in the classroom, I accredited my digital skills by studying a BSC in Computing with a specialism in Web Development and Mobile App Design. The University offered me a position as a Learning Designer at their Centre of Excellence in Learning and Teaching, which enabled me to further develop my skills in digital learning.

I have always had a passion for digital learning and look forward to leading the digital development of training within IKON as their Digital Training and Development Design Lead, now and in the future.
Outside of work, I love to travel with my wife and two young children, whether it is a walk along the river Orwell, or somewhere further afield. This year my son and I raised money for wildlife charities by walking the St. Cuthberts Way; 100km across the Scottish/English Border. I also enjoy visiting the Zoo, and wildlife-watching at Suffolk’s many wonderful nature reserves.