W ill Stevens graduated in electrical engineering and has a masters degree in Design Engineering from the University of Loughborough. As a young avionics engineer he carried out research and design into computerised instrumentation systems for the MkII Nimrod programme, and became the first civilian to be permitted to fly an operational maritime reconnaissance mission.

In the computer industry Will pursued a sales career for 19 years, culminating as a senior account manager in the Defence sector, during which time he managed a number of key civilian and military IT projects. He won many company awards throughout his career, including membership of the Burroughs Directors Club.

A founder member of the Academy Partners hip and independent consultant since January 1990 Will provides senior level training and management consultancy to a broad range of blue-chip commercial clients throughout Europe, majoring in supplier and account management, project leadership and change management.

Will is an associate of the National School of Government, and of Pentacle the Virtual Business School . He is a member of Henley Rugby Club and the Royal Ocean Racing Club, and holds the RYA Yachtmaster certificate. In 1999 he completed a world circumnavigation, serving as watchleader and helmsman and winning a silver medal in the Clipper 99 Round The World Yacht Race.

Over the past two years Will has devoted a proportion of his personal time to the Barnardo’s charity, where he advises the trustees and senior managers on programme and change management, and has helped to establish a number of projects in helping redefine the organisation’s role and direction.