Personal Background

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Born: 8 September 1943 in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. Son of William (Tim) and Margaret Townsley (nee Sheeky) of York Place, Shipley, West Yorkshire.
Education: St Bede's Grammar School, Bradford; Loughborough College of Technology.
Married: Irene Shepherd on 6 September 1969 in Leeds, West Yorkshire. Daughter of Charles and Elsie Shepherd (nee Strangeway) of Raylands Way, Belle Isle, Leeds.
Children: Catherine born in New South Wales and Philip born in South Australia.
Interests: Cycling, sports photography and, of course, computers.

Employment: Computers from 1965 - as programmer, systems analyst, project leader, development manager, IT manager, general manager, information strategy manager and now consultant. This has involved the use and management of all types of computers (mainframes, minis, servers, etc) in all types of applications for many private companies and public sector organisations. Everything from programming through to senior management in areas from databases through network design to the latest web developments. Work that has taken me to Australia, the USA and Europe on a wide range of assignments.

IT today: There is no shortage of projects, or even whole organisations, that need significant professional help in systems and technology. But there is a lack of funds or, as the government often claims, a lack of available skills. The lack of funds for systems development / support impacts many voluntary groups, charities and even "semi-govermental" agencies. But any lack of skills is only made worse by the rather obvious reluctance to employ any IT professionals in the senior age bands; along with some other sections of society. I am in the fortunate position of still having an income - but for others the picture is far from rosy. What would be your position if your employer shut down and - instead of an easy move to a new post - you found that your job applications just fell on deaf ears? Everyone working in IT today will face that prospect one day - perhaps sooner than expected - unless attitudes change.

Employment: The problem of ageism in IT is often aired in the computer trade press. Since there is going to be a real boom in the number of older IT professionals in the coming years something has to change. The press articles may help change attitudes. And I hope they do ..... since not every "over 40" IT professional wants a career change into supermarket trolley collection. They say that hope is a virtue ..... but action is often more effective. Men and women who learnt Cobol in the 1960's and 70's are now the possessors of decades of experience. Rather being stuck in some batch-processing, punch card past, they know how to avoid the many problems that can beset systems - irrespective of their technology. Problems that appear repeatedly to test out each generation of IT professionals. This experience coupled with factors such as loyalty, reliability and reduced family commitments (no children to look after, etc) will convince organisations to take positive steps to employ mature IT staff.

Personal Solution: Establish my own business and bypass the problems associated with permanent placements. It's not for everyone and it's hard work - but it's better than most of the alternatives. Recent assignments - IT Manager for Amnesty International in London and supporting computer systems at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester. Recent skills - creating digital video and DVD production; XML, Java and .Net capabilities.