IOL new CEO - Andy Robinson
After a hectic summer, we are really pleased to announce the appointment of IOL’s new Chief Executive. Andy Robinson will be joining IOL officially from the 1 October 2009 but Andy has already picked up many of the crucial tasks that needed taking forwards.
Andy was selected from a strong field and I’m sure we wish him every success in taking IOL forwards through the next exciting steps in IOL’s development.
Andy is married to Janet and together they live in Greystoke, Cumbria with Beth, Matthew and a 9 month old pup called Robbie.
Andy’s business experience started with training in accountancy, broadening into 8 years as a development trainer with Lindley Educational Trust and followed by training management in the legal profession. Andy spent the last 8 years as director of a national law firm before stepping out on his own this year. In addition to the IOL role he undertakes executive coaching and leadership training.
Andy’s passion for the outdoors and desire to share that passion with others stems back to his childhood in Ripon, North Yorkshire. Weekends were often spent in the Dales with family or through organisations such as Scouts. Rock climbing became his main obsession in the 80’s aspiring to the contents of Hard Rock but more often settling for a Classic Rock alternative! Scottish West Coast winters featured heavily in the 90’s demanding a certain degree of optimism and patience, as well as a 6 hour drive on a Friday night.
Working with Lindley 1990 – 1997 saw Andy’s enthusiasm for sharing the outdoors mature into a more sophisticated combination of pure outdoor skills and knowledge with personal and group development theory and practice. As a Trustee at Lindley since 2003 Andy has been heavily involved in the Trust’s focus back on young people. He has worked closely with Mark Williams and the Hollowford Centre team in the development of that centre’s capabilities and the addition of a new centre at Shinning Cliff Woods in the southern Peak District.
In Andy’s own words ..... ‘I am looking forward to working closely with IOL’s trustees, head office team and wider group of supporters. I have been hugely impressed by the developments in the outdoor industry since my direct involvement as a development trainer in the 1990’s. IOL has an important role to play in an increasingly structured and regulated industry. The Professional Development route of APIOL is an important element of that role and will be a real focus for me.’
Andy Simms, IOL Chair.