Profile

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Keith Thomas

    • About Me:

      Im Keith, I graduated in Geography & Geology many many years ago and now live in South Wales where I run my own consultancy business and look after our horses and cats

    • My pronouns are:

      he/him

    • How I use Geography in my work:

      I use geography to inform my work in planning and regeneration of towns and local communities.

      I love statistics – always capturing on-line and survey data to reveal stories about places and the people who live there. What they do now and looking for how can make their lives better.

       

    • My Work:

      I run my own consultancy business supporting local people to enhance town centres and help businesses grow and employ more people.

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      I work on wide range of projects such as:

      Funding for town centres – removing local eyesores and enabling new buildings providing homes, shops or space for business to grow.

      I advise government on plans to help people gain more skills and get better jobs.

      I help local communities support each other – overcome local problems and improve the environment.  Recently supported schools in providing cookery clubs / bring pupils, parents and grandparents together to learn how to cook.

    • My Typical Day:

      I don’t have a typical day really.  I often wake early around 5am listen to the news and feed the cat.  Turn my computer on and answer emails or sort my business accounts then go see my horses and stable cats at 8am and back to my home office by 930.

      I  have lots of on-line meetings on Teams or Zoom and my house cat often joins me on my desk and on camera.

      I usually finish work around 430/500 pm unless have an urgent report to finish or an evening meeting with a community group which can continue to 8 or 9pm sometimes.

       

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      When writing reports I have lots of files open and research documents to refer to and will have deadlines for completing work for my clients which are always tough.

      Whilst I mostly work from home I will also have to travel to client offices – this can involve one or even four hours driving or train journey and then means very late home or stay overnight in hotel.

       

    • What I'd do with the prize money:

      I will donate the money to the Donkey Sanctuary.

      Although I don’t have donkeys myself I simply love them and the Donkey Sanctuary does wonderful work looking after neglected animals.

    CV

    • Education:

      I was brought up in Swansea and attended Plasmarl Junior School then Hafod and Dynevor Senior Comprehensive school in the city centre

    • Qualifications:

      I passed my 9 O’ levels way back in 1976 which included Geography (of course) and Geology and Photography

      I did A levels in Geography Geology and Economics

      My degree was in Geography & Geology which i completed in College of St Pauls and St Marys in Cheltenham now part of Gloucestershire University.

    • Work History:

      I initially did some research work in Swansea University and studied Population Census Data.

      My real career started with a job in Milton Keynes Development Corporation which was responsible for development of the New Town. I started doing economic research and studying international economies and business trade to market Milton Keynes and attract business investment / relocation.

      I later moved into planning and programming delivery of roads and services to open new development areas for housing and employment growth.

      I then moved back to Wales and joined a property consultancy firm and helped plan the Cardiff Bay Regeneration and delivery of the Barrage. I joined another Property firm to lead teams in Cardiff and Bristol and moved into senior management responsible for 8 offices around the country – Cardiff, Bristol, Reading, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Edinburgh and London.

      My next move was to an engineering and architecture firm where I was advising on making development profitable.

      I became a qualified Town Planner in 1996 and Development Surveyor in 2006 and was elected to a Fellow of both in the 2020’s which is a prestigious award in recognition of my work.

    • Current Job:

      I started my own business PER Consulting in 2011. I don’t employ anyone else but work in partnership with other specialist companies to support clients and deliver advice.

       

    • My Interview

      • What did you want to be after you left school?

        An early memory was to be a Blue Peter cameraman

        Were you ever in trouble at school?

        I was often late for school in the mornings!

        If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?

        I really dont know - I love what I do and working for myself

        Who is your favourite singer or band?

        I love Jazz Music - Go Go Penguin and also Paul McCartney & Wings

        What's your favourite food?

        Indian Curry

        If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!

        Buy a farm and have donkeys

Questions answered by Keith

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