Modern Councillor is run by an elite cadre of Learning Pool’s most excellent people. Here’s a bit more about them.
Dave Briggs
What do you do at Learning Pool? I’m involved in anything to do with social media and community building. The plan is to make Learning Pool the place to go to discuss anything related to e-learning. It’s all about the power of the network. Also, when councils want to do some innovative stuff with the web, I’m here to help them.
Where did you work before you joined Learning Pool?I’ve been spreading the good word of digital engagement throughout government: from Number 10 and a number of Whitehall departments to the IDeA and several individual Councils.
Favourite weekend activity? This year, one of the best things I did at the weekend was organise LocalGovCamp – where over 120 people from across local government got together on a Saturday in Birmingham to share stories and ideas – and to enjoy a few drinks in the evening.
Love or hate marmite? Hate it. With a passion. But I do like Twiglets, which my wife tells me is just one of a number of my inconsistencies.
Unsung hero - B.S. Johnson. A little known modernist British author who tried to turn the novel on its head, and nearly managed it. His books are almost unreadable at times, but at least he tried to do something different. He failed better than everyone else.
Breda Doherty
What do you do at Learning Pool? I am currently a New Media Consultant getting more involved with the social media and community building side of the business. But as anyone at Learning Pool will tell you every day can be a new surprise which keeps it interesting!
What’s next for Learning Pool? Taking over the world!
Name one of your favourite things about someone in your family-My niece Aine is extremely perceptive for a 12 year old; she is also blatantly honest and is already developing a sarcastic wit-wait, that’s three things…!
Favourite book? Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen (Before the BBC adaptation and Colin Firth – well maybe this has a tiny bit to do with it)!
Person from your childhood you’d most like to meet again? Myself. I would copy Back to the Future (2) and give myself the scores on all future sporting events. Then I could buy even more dresses!
Wendy Kay
What do you do at Learning Pool? I help clients achieve their training, development and communication goals through the use of all of the fantastic tools that Learning Pool provides.
If you were an ice cream flavour, which one would you be and why? Tutti Frutti with strawberry sauce and nuts on top. I’m full of surprises, you get more than you ask for and the nuts speak for themselves.
What’s your favourite thing to do in the summer? Eat and drink “al fresco” with family and friends whilst listening to sounds from the 60s. Can’t think of a better way to chill out.
What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten? Pedigree Chum! My little brother and sister tricked me. Don’t go there.
Name the most famous person you’ve had a face to face encounter with? The Queen. I’ve met HM twice but she didn’t remember me on the 2nd occasion – can’t think why not.
If you could visit any place in the world, where would you choose to go and why? The gold stores at Fort Knox. So I could try and sneak one or two bars out with me.
Alan Thorburn
What do you do at Learning Pool? I’m a LMS/ SCORM Consultant with a special interest in MOODLE. I’m also part of the team that oversees the development of the Authoring Tool.
If they made a movie of your life, what would it be about and which actor would you want to play you? A rollicking rollercoaster ride: thrills, spills, a little romance, intrigue, double-crosses, triple-crosses, a little sadness, car chases, irresponsible gun play, some marginal behaviour… and probably a zombie or two. If a British production then I would like to request the London actor Steve Sweeney… if a US production then nobody but Luis Guzman could possible do me justice.
If you could visit any place in the world, where would you choose to go and why? Arizona in the 1880s. To hunt down the Red Ghost…
What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten? Humble pie. It was horrible… I won’t be doing that again!
What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done? I refuse to answer any SCORM related questions…
Name the most famous person you’ve had a face to face encounter with- Does living next door to Kevin Keegan when I was a child count? I was once in an easyjet queue with Alan Sugar and he was really dull. We were all kept waiting for ages so that the plane could be prepared for Shirley Bassey who seemed much more interesting … though a lot less approachable.
