Directors
Brian Butler: Managing Director
Brian has been delivering Lean projects in Scotland for 8 years working with over 350 organisations. He has been designing and delivering Lean Manufacturing and Lean Management programmes for UK and overseas markets since 1995 and has extensive experience in developing managers away from traditional management practices and thinking. His career began as a Skilled Vehicle Fitter before moving into Industrial Engineering & Production Management. Working in consultancy since 1995 Brian has worked both on bespoke in-company projects and group training and consultancy projects throughout the UK. Prior to setting up Accelerate Brian was Managing Director of a national training & consultancy organisation.
Vicky Smith: Operations Director
Vicky has designed & delivered Lean projects across Scotland and North East England since 2002. Her career began with the Investment Management and Retail sectors before becoming a teacher in the early 1990s. In 1994 Vicky completed an MBA and moved into project management and management development working at Durham Business School. She has been designing and delivering practical management programmes for UK and overseas markets since 1996 and has extensive experience in developing managers away from traditional management practices and thinking.
Alan Rothwell: Director
A qualified Toolmaker who formed Patterson & Rothwell Ltd in 1980, he bought out his partner in 1998 and has since purchased and formed several related businesses. Having won many business awards for the group through his entrepreneurial skills, he has encouraged and implemented World Class initiatives (QS 9000, Six Sigma, TS16949), that have embedded leading management systems for continuous improvement throughout the Patterson & Rothwell Group. Alan is now a leading, respected, and active figure within the North West business community, and is passionate about encouraging people to realise their true potential.